[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 16096]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        CONGRATULATING JOHN COX

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I wish to recognize and congratulate 
John Cox the Director of the Wyoming Department of Transportation. On 
November 24, 2014, Director Cox will be elected as president of the 
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 
AASHTO. John is currently serving as the association's vice-president 
and has worked his way to the top through various positions in AASHTO.
  Since 2005, he has continually served Wyoming as the WYDOT director. 
The respect for John is deep and widespread. He was appointed by 
Democrat Governor Dave Freudenthal and reappointed by our current 
Republican Governor Matt Mead.
  John Cox is not your traditional State Department of Transportation 
director. Director Cox has a 28-year background in law enforcement. As 
a young patrolman, John patrolled thousands of miles on the rural roads 
of Wyoming. Director Cox's law enforcement background provided him with 
a unique perspective on the needs of rural States like Wyoming. John 
understands rural transportation. He also understands that our 
transportation system must be whole. I believe his experience and 
leadership will be key to the success of AASHTO and its members over 
the next year.
  Director Cox and I have worked closely together for over a decade. 
When I was in the Wyoming Legislature, I chaired the Senate 
Transportation and Military Affairs Committee. In the Wyoming 
Legislature, we worked to improve our State's highways. In the U.S. 
Senate, we worked on the 2012 highway reauthorization bill. In 2014, 
Director Cox and I focused on improving the current law by cutting 
Washington redtape and providing flexibility and equity for rural 
States like Wyoming.
  I look forward to continuing to work with Director Cox as all of 
America can now benefit from his leadership.

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