[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1857]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING MICHAEL RILEY FOR HIS LEADERSHIP AT THE MOTOR TRANSPORT 
                       ASSOCIATION OF CONNECTICUT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 11, 2016

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor President of the 
Motor Transport Association of Connecticut (MTAC), Michael Riley, upon 
his retirement. For just under three decades Mike has represented the 
commercial trucking interests of almost 1,400 member companies as a 
trusted and respected advocate.
  From 1979 to 1987, before his involvement with MTAC, Mike was an 
executive assistant to Senator Christopher Dodd and he used that 
experience to work with lawmakers and Connecticut administration 
officials to improve the regulatory structure surrounding the trucking 
industry. These efforts resulted in achievements like the installation 
of weight station bypass systems, online permit processes, and 
important legislation to define ``independent contractors'' who work in 
the industry.
  Mike's work at MTAC has tangibly increased the safety of Connecticut 
road users, as he led efforts to create a consortium for testing the 
use of controlled substances and alcohol abuse among drivers. Since 
1989, and in conjunction with Gregory & Howe, MTAC has helped create 
the largest testing program in the state, so successful that even non-
truck drivers from member companies are part of the program.
  Mike's focus on safety extended to spearheading a commercial lines 
insurance program, which offers property and casualty insurance for 
members. The success of this venture is demonstrated by its size and 
support within the industry. Indeed the fund has become large enough in 
recent years to pay significant workers compensation dividends back to 
participating companies, showing what a sustainable and robust program 
Mike has developed.
  Please join me in congratulating Mike for the significant impact he 
has made on the state of Connecticut, and wishing him an enjoyable and 
well-earned retirement.

                          ____________________