Frank Wolf

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I want to pay tribute today to a gentleman I met in my early days in Washington in the 1970's at the Department of the Interior, and whose path I again crossed when I came to Congress. Billy K. Higgins has worked for more than 25 years to advance our nation's transportation system, first as a congressional liaison officer for the Federal Highway Administration, and since 1977 as the governmental relations director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). He has also worked for the Republican National Committee, and the Standard Oil Company of Indiana, now Amoco Oil Company. But for the past 22 years he has represented the state departments of transportation through a period of tremendous change, as the construction of the Interstate system was completed, as the focus of federal transportation interests broadened, and as the world became increasingly dependent on the economic lifeline transportation provides. He has guided AASHTO through five reauthorizations of the federal-aid highway and transit program, through 22 years of transportation appropriations bills, through the designation of the National Highway System and a host of other transportation legislation. He has always worked closely and fairly with the state departments of transportation, the construction and contracting industries, the National Governors' Association and numerous other organizations representing state and local government interests. And in all those years, from the first time I ever met Billy, he has been a true model of integrity, honesty, courtesy and compassion. Billy has decided to retire from his full-time duties at AASHTO, but fortunately for those of us in Congress who've had the pleasure to work with him on so many transportation matters, he intends to continue to keep his hand in the legislative process on a part-time basis as a consultant with AASHTO on governmental affairs. I was honored to be asked to speak at a reception for Billy on Capitol Hill this past Tuesday evening, June 22. One of the most impressive things about that event was that Billy's family was there, too. Billy's greatest joy is his family He and his wife Nancy have been married for 45 years and have raised a wonderful family including three sons and a daughter, all of whom are married, with their own children, a total of 10 grandchildren for Billy and Nancy. His oldest or ``number one'' son, as Billy calls him, is Craig Higgins, with his wife Wendy and their two children Kristen and Keith. Next in order is his son Duane Higgins, his wife Cynthia and their four children, Lauren, Michael, Danielle and Samantha. Then there is daughter Marcy, with her husband Bill Davis and their two children, Carter and Paige. His youngest son is Ron Higgins, with his wife Amy and their two children Rebecca and Tim. I would like to share my prepared remarks at the reception for Billy Higgins and urge all our colleagues who have had the chance to work with Billy to take the opportunity to wish him well. In Tribute to Billy Higgins Many of you may not know that Billy and I go way back in Washington, all the way back to the 1970's--when our hair was much darker! We worked together at the Department of the Interior. Billy was at the Bureau of Mines and I was with Secretary Rogers C.B. Morton's office. It was easy to strike up a friendship with Billy because he was such a genuinely nice guy. In describing him, words immediately come to mind such as fair, honest, trustworthy, principled, hard-working, highest moral standards, a man of character. The first time we met, too, I saw in Billy a quality that hasn't wavered one millimeter over the years. And that's integrity. A lot of people in this town aspire to be called people of integrity. But along the way there may be a slip here, or a fudge there, and pretty soon, they're compromised and just don't measure up. There's never been a minute in Billy's career when he didn't measure up. When we walk out the door of whatever business we're in for the last time, all we take with us is our name. Billy Higgins today takes with him his good name--followed by well done, good and faithful servant. He is truly one of the good guys. He's also one of the most dedicated family men around this town, and it's so good to see his family here this evening. I know how important family is to Billy. I even ran into him a few summers ago on the Outer Banks where he and Nancy and all the kids and grandkids have a tradition of spending vacation time together each year. And I also know how important faith is to Billy. I have a quotation on my office wall from Dr. James Dobson, which I'd like to share with you because I believe it could very well describe Billy: ``I have concluded that the accumulation of wealth, even if I could achieve it, is an insufficient reason for living. When I reach the end of my days, a moment or two from now, I must look backward on something more meaningful than the pursuit of houses and land and machines and stocks and bonds. Nor is fame of any lasting benefit. I will consider my earthly existence to have been wasted unless I can recall a loving family, a consistent investment in the lives of people, and an earnest attempt to serve the God who made me. Nothing else makes much sense.'' That's Billy's legacy. Billy, I am grateful that our paths in life crossed and have run together for so many years, and I am proud to call you my friend. God bless you.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. WOLF. Absolutely. I appreciate my colleague from Wisconsin bringing this important issue to our attention. I understand the merits of the project. I am committed to making sure that it is communicated to the FAA that this project receives the same priority consideration as those included in the committee report. The gentleman has my word on that.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. King), the great author of a new book which he hopes becomes a best seller.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. WOLF. I appreciate the remarks of the gentleman from New York. I would like to point out that the Federal Transit new starts funds provided in H.R. 2084 for this project will help. They would not be there without his effort, and will help to maximize previous Federal investments in the 63rd Street Subway Tunnel and Connector Project. All these projects are linked together to alleviate congestion, promote environmentally sound transportation, and enable weary commuters to spend more quality time with their families by reducing lengthly daily commutes. I look forward to working with the gentleman from New York and other members of the New York delegation to ensure that this project will be adequately funded as it moves into the heavy construction phase.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. WOLF. I thank the gentleman from South Carolina for drawing our attention to this important matter. I am hopeful that his GAO study will be completed by our hearing schedule next year, and I look forward to examining its results. I look forward to working with the gentleman from South Carolina in addressing the issue.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen).

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith).

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, would the gentleman yield?

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, that is my understanding, that the transponder landing system was issued a type certificate by FAA Administrator Jane Garvey during May of 1998, and barring any setbacks with the review and validation, FAA should proceed to acquire and commission these systems as soon as practicable.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Weller). (Mr. WELLER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks)

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger).

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, we concede the point of order.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, we concede the point of order.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, the committee recognizes the importance of a successful Winter Olympic Games to the Salt Lake community, the State of Utah, and to the entire country. In light of the national interest in a successful Olympic experience in Salt Lake City, the subcommittee bill includes almost $75 million for various transportation infrastructure investments. These funds are available for transportation planning, park and ride lots, intelligent transportation systems, buses, highways, and the south-north light rail system. These appropriations were secured, I might say, by the diligence of the gentleman from Salt Lake City. The bill, however, does include a prohibition on the use of Federal funds to execute a letter of no prejudice, a letter of intent or full funding grant agreement for the west-east light rail line. This limitation was added by the committee and was not requested by the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cook). I and the committee staff have spoken with the gentleman and his staff to discuss the reasons why, in the opinion of the committee, this limitation is necessary and appropriate and in the interest of the American taxpayer.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I say to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cook), we look forward, the committee and the members, to working with the gentleman from Utah and other members of the delegation to address the most critical transportation requirements related to the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympic Games, and I appreciate the help of the gentleman.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Gary Miller). (Mr. GARY MILLER of California asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan).

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, the Department of Transportation has yet to issue a report on their peanut allergy study.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman will continue to yield, I would just tell him that a member of my family lives in New York City and I understand how congested the traffic is and the needs and everything else, so the gentleman makes a very credible point.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, we concede the point of order.