Who Made Headlines? The people who shaped trucking, for better or worse, in 2013 By ATR Staff With off-year elections, a federal


budget and continuation of a national transportation bill in play in 2014, a look back at the people and events of the previous year may help predict what the next 365 days hold.


FRANK LAUTENBERG, U.S. SENATOR, NEW JERSEY In June, Sen.


Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.) died of pneu- monia at the age of 89. He was the last remaining World War II veteran to serve in


the U.S. Senate and had represented the State of New Jersey in the Senate for 19 years at the time of his death. While Lautenberg played a major


role in preserving the national pas- senger rail system, he also left behind a legacy as a visionary politician in back- ing aid for America’s complicated trans- portation needs. “Frank’s tireless advocacy for trans-


portation safety saved many lives — he truly was the Safety Senator,” former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said. When it came to transporta-


tion safety and security, there was no greater champion than Lautenberg, said Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO. “He understood that our government has a sacred obligation to ensure that workers come home safely every day, and he served to fulfill this responsibility.” Lautenberg served on the Senate


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Commerce, Science and Transportation and the Environment and Public Works committees. The committees have jurisdiction over transportation reau- thorization bills, such as MAP-21, the reauthorization bill signed by President Obama last summer. The bill contained provisions


championed by Lautenberg: a compre- hensive truck size and weight study under way by the U.S. Department of Transportation, a drug and alcohol clearinghouse so carriers can check the records of drivers and a mandate for all trucks and buses to have electronic log- ging devices.


LOREN HATFIELD, DRIVER, ABF FREIGHT SYSTEM, INC. A familiar face


to those involved in the annual Arkansas Trucking Championships, Loren Hatfield, a driver for ABF Freight System,


Inc., garnered national attention in 2013. In January, the American Trucking


Associations selected Hatfield along with 18 other truck drivers to represent the industry as the 2013-2014 America’s Road Team. The Captains, who serve for two years, were selected from 32 final- ists.


“America’s Road Team represents


the best our industry has to offer: pride, professionalism and dedication to making our highways safer for all who travel them,” ATA President & CEO Bill Graves said. The captains travel around the


United States as representatives of the


trucking industry, speaking at com- munity events and schools, and to the news media, public officials and fellow truck drivers. “ABF is a strong supporter of ATA’s


American’s Road Team program, and we are particularly proud that the Team has consistently included ABF drivers among its ranks,” said ABF President and CEO Roy Slagle. Fellow ABF driver Otto Schmeckenbecher was also named to the Road Team. “Loran and Otto possess superb driving skills, have out- standing safety records and share a commitment to upholding the greatest standards of excellence.” Then in June, after placing first in


the Tank division, Hatfield was name the overall Grand Champion and quali- fied to compete in the National Truck Driving Championship. Hatfield first competed in the


championship in 2004 when won the Twins division and the Rookie of the Year Award.


BILL GRAVES PRESIDENT & CEO, AMERICAN TRUCKING ASSOCIATIONS


As the leader


of the nation’s larg- est trucking lobby, Bill Graves is often in the news. But in October, the presi- dent and CEO of the


American Trucking Associations made headlines when he opened the group’s Management Conference & Exhibition with a warning to Congress. “Political change is under way, and


many of the traditional alliances the business community has had within the


ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 6 2013


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