ATSSA members campaign for roadway safety on Capitol Hill

ATSSA members campaign for roadway safety on Capitol Hill

Buy America, Federal Highway Trust Fund are key topics at Fly-In.

WASHINGTON – ATSSA members from across the country gathered this week in the nation’s capital to discuss the future of roadway safety infrastructure and campaign for roadway safety measures with legislators representing their home states and communities.

ATSSA’s Government Relations Team arranged nearly 100 meetings with legislators and staff to be held throughout the second day for the 75 people who registered for the Association’s annual Legislative Briefing & Fly-In.

The event began Tuesday with a policy briefing led by ATSSA Director of Government Relations Cameron Greene and ATSSA Associate Director of State Government Relations Mady Marks.

With continued concerns regarding items such as the Buy America Act and the future of the Federal Highway Trust Fund, they highlighted the importance of sharing the impact members’ roadway safety products have on drivers and pedestrians and the long-term value support for the Federal Highway Trust Fund has on both the roadway safety industry and the users of our nation’s roads.

Edwin Okonkwo, the Buy America Program Engineer for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Construction Team, spoke at the legislative briefing, providing clarification on specific requirements of the Buy America bill, details on manufactured product requirements and engaged in a dialogue with members on their specific needs pertaining to Buy America requirements.

Okonkwo was one of three primary speakers for the legislative briefing. Speakers also included Jawad Paracha, the Work Zone Management Program Engineer for the FHWA and government affairs consultant Kathy Ruffalo of Ruffalo & Associates.

ATSSA members also participated in a panel discussion with ATSSA’s Greene, American Highway Users Alliance President & CEO Andrew Stasiowski, and Daniel Fisher, senior vice president of Government & External Affairs of the Association of Equipment Distributors. ATSSA Board of Directors Chair-Elect Haley Norman moderated the panel.

On Wednesday, ATSSA members spent the day on Capitol Hill for meetings with legislative staff to discuss pertinent issues the roadway safety industry faces. Members met with key staff for representatives across the nation, including Rep. Sam Graves of Missouri, the chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Association members drew on personal experiences and connections to express the importance of roadway safety support with legislators.

ATSSA member Tim Lang said this was his third time attending the Legislative Briefing & Fly-in and said the Fly-In fuels his passion for making a difference and he’s eager to engage with policymakers to drive positive change and make the roadways safer for everyone.

The annual Legislative Briefing & Fly-In is a free, exclusive benefit of ATSSA membership and provides valuable support for the advocacy of roadway safety.

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