Opinion: Trucking Is the Firewall That Protects America's Economy

By William J. Canary

I>Interim President and Chief Executive Officer

merican Trucking Associations

When I accepted the position of American Trucking Associations’ interim president and chief executive officer on July 1, I knew there would be challenges ahead. My goal was to continue to move ATA forward with a focus that has become ATA’s trademark. I inherited an organization that was best in class, served by a dedicated, professional staff that is unswerving in its dedication to our members. I was adamant that we would not just wait for a new CEO, but rather continue to do what we do best — communicate an aggressive agenda that serves the needs of our industry and, more importantly, the needs of our members.

With the attacks of Sept. 11, our world changed. It was a day that etched itself on our consciousness as perhaps no other. And yet, while we experienced the worst of human nature, we also saw its best in the hours, days and weeks following. We watched as smoke billowed from the Pentagon and poured over the Washington sky while our trucks covered the Interstate as they worked to keep America moving in the face of disaster. I wish each of you could have seen it, because it provided real comfort that day. I will never forget the trucks, from across the nation, that poured into New York and Washington to deliver the supplies that would help fuel the relief efforts. I will remember the phone calls from our members asking how they could help.

My answer was simple: Come to Nashville for the Management Conference and Exhibition. Come to Nashville, stand with us as we show our pride in our nation and our pride in our industry.

In light of the events of Sept. 11, we refocused our MC&E theme to reflect the renewed spirit within America and our industry: “Standing Together, Moving America Forward.” Trucking has always been vital to the continuing success of our nation’s economic life. As never before, our industry now serves as the sole firewall protecting the American economy. This time begins our opportunity to demonstrate that we will continue to stand tall with all Americans while reinforcing our commitment to keep the country moving.

Even before these attacks, our industry faced great challenges. But these are challenges that I know we will overcome, because we are at our best when we are challenged. You might ask how I could be so confident in my assessment. I think that answer comes quite easily. We will succeed because ATA remains a strong organization with a dedicated membership and a world-class staff that is without equal. I look at our accomplishments, especially over the past several weeks, and I know that we have succeeded because we have stood together.

On Oct. 9, ATA Chairman Duane Acklie testified before the Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine regarding steps the trucking industry has taken over the past 20 years to ensure safe and secure truck transportation. He conveyed our belief that nobody is more concerned with the safety and security of our trucks than our industry. During his testimony, he requested that motor carriers be given the ability to conduct criminal background checks on drivers to help prevent possible future incidents. He also communicated the need for strong cargo theft legislation in addition to increased resources for border-crossing infrastructure.

We are also working with the Department of Transportation on other areas of concern. More than four years ago, ATA petitioned DOT to close the “roadability” safety loophole. I recently wrote Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta to request that DOT address this important safety issue. We scored a real victory when Secretary Mineta agreed with the ATA position that states may use their Surface Transportation Program funds to modify commuter parking areas and truck weigh stations to provide truck-parking areas. These two areas are representative of ATA’s efforts at DOT — and we continue to move forward.

We are very concerned with increasing insurance premiums that many of you are facing. I have written to the state insurance commissioners requesting that they monitor rate increases in trucking liability insurance. We are committed to examining all options that will ease the economic strain on this issue, and we will affirmatively move forward for our members — without delay.

In the year to come, we will aggressively pursue an agenda as set out by our most important asset, our members. That is what we mean when we say, “Standing Together, Moving America Forward.”

In a field at Gettysburg, Abraham Lincoln spoke the following words: “It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Today, those words carry over New York and Washington, and each of us in Nashville this week.

God bless each of you and the United States of America.

This story appeared in the Oct. 29 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.

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