May June

The Signal | May/June 2018 9 Government Relations ATSSAmembers gather in Washington, D.C. to talk roadway safety on Capitol Hill ATSSA’s annual Legislative Briefing & Fly-In offeredATSSAmembers a unique opportunity to interact with members of Congress and their staff about fund- ing and initiatives related to the roadway safety industry. Hosted in Washington, D.C., in April, the Fly-In drew nearly 100 participants, who heard fromATSSA Chair Juan Arvizu, ATSSA Vice President of Government Relations Nate Smith, Geoff Gosselin and He l ena Zyb likewyc z of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Commit tee, Rebecca Higgins and Richard Russell of the Senate Environ- ment and Public Works Committee, Greg Cohen of the American Highway Users Alliance, Alex Herrgott of the White House Council on Environmen- tal Quality, and Reps. Bruce Westerman, (R-AR.), and Elizabeth Esty, (D-Conn.). During the Fly-In, ATSSA’s Roadway Safe- ty Champion Award, given to an elected official who demonstrates leadership on behalf of the roadway safety infra- structure industry, was presented to U.S. Reps. Esty and Sam Graves, (R-Mo). “As the daughter and granddaughter of civil engineers, I was raised to believe this country could and should build big things,” Esty said. “We can harness modern technology and materials to re- duce the 40,000 road deaths this coun- try experiences. We can revitalize our roads and railways to help keep Amer- ican manufacturers competitive in a global economy. We do not have to set- tle for putting duct tape over our crum- bling infrastructure. We have a unique opportunity to take steps today to build a 21st century infrastructure to support a 21st century economy. Let’s continue to do great things that will move our people and our country forward.” “I am honored to receive the 2018 Road- way Safety Champion Award. It’s always great to work with ATSSAmembers from Missouri like Jay Bruemmer and the Moores who have firsthand knowledge about the importance of our transpor- tation dollars contributing to safety im- provements. ATSSA’s efforts during the 2015 highway bill were instrumental to securing a long-term bill and I appreci- ate their continued support for finding a sustainable funding solution for the Highway Trust Fund,” said Graves. Fly-In attendees also heard from Rep. Cheri Bustos, (D-Ill.), and congressional candidate Kim Schrier, (D-Wash.), during ATSSA’s PAC Reception on April 10 be- foremeeting withmembers of Congress and their staff the following day. “The Fly-In was a great experience for ATSSA members and staff to lobby their elected representatives on what they know best—the roadway safety industry. From long-term funding solutions for the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), to sharing information about innovations and produc ts that will help keep our work zones and roadways safe, the