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REMARKS
FOR
THE HONORABLE NORMAN Y. MINETA
SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION
FMCSA 9/11 AWARDS CEREMONY
WASHINGTON, D.C.
JULY 21
1 PM
Thank
you, Annette for that very gracious introduction, and thank you all for that
warm welcome. I'm deeply honored to
participate in recognizing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's
9/11 Transportation Award recipients.
Your administration may be one of the youngest in our department, but when you
carry the word safety in your name, there is no doubt about the importance we
place upon your work.
Safety is the Bush Administration's top transportation priority, and your
administration has shown its commitment to safety.
In fact, just last week, we announced that large truck-related fatalities
in 2002 had decreased for the fifth consecutive year, a 4.2 percent reduction
from 2001.
Your efforts are saving lives, and I want to thank you for all you are doing to
ensure that someone's mother or father, or son or daughter, or brother or
sister, is able to join their family at the dinner table tonight.
In the days, weeks, and months following the brutal and senseless terrorist
attacks on our nation, motor carrier security has been closely linked with motor
carrier safety.
Last month, as part of our second departmental 9/11 Transportation Awards
courtyard ceremony, I made a promise to your Administrator that I would be here
today to honor the work of the many heroes at FMCSA.
As your Secretary, I am so proud of the remarkable dedication to duty that I see
every day here at the DOT.
And as we approach the second anniversary of those cowardly acts of
terror, I can tell you that the importance of our work has not diminished, and
our ultimate success remains absolutely critical.
"Americans," he
said, "are generous and kind, resourceful and brave.
We have seen our national character in eloquent acts of sacrifice...in
thousands of citizens who have asked to work and serve in any way
possible."
By the resolve of the women and men of the FMCSA, we are affirming the
President's words. We are telling
the world that the United States of America will never shrink from the task at
hand.
Your spirit represents our clear commitment to constantly improving the
safety and security of our national transportation system.
For many Americans, one of the most unforgettable images of the aftermath of
9/11 is the seemingly endless procession of trucks, working around the clock, to
clear the streets of lower Manhattan.
The careful, respectful, removal of all that was destroyed that morning
required enormous strength of character. Your
support of America's motor carrier industry made a difficult job a little bit
easier.
In a volatile and perilous situation, the people of this great nation came
together in a spirit of brotherhood and goodwill.
On a day that began with the darkness of hatred and destruction, shining
moments of selfless bravery and true patriotism ultimately prevailed.
And in the nearly two years that have followed those attacks, it has become
clear that the need to secure motor carrier traffic all along our nation's
borders remains a vital piece of our overall recovery effort.
I am proud to say that, faced with such an important challenge, you have stood
tall. Without question, you have
gone above and beyond the call of duty. I
thank you all, for your service.
And now, with the help of Administrator Sandberg, I would like to
personally recognize, and sincerely thank, the recipients of FMCSA's 9/11
Transportation Awards.
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