Attendees at AED’s annual convention can ask a major force in federal transportation policy about the Bush administration’s plans for the nation’s road-building and aviation industries.

On Jan. 11, at the banquet that closes AED’s convention, U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta will discuss the challenges facing the nation’s infrastructure, including its economic growth opportunities and its importance to homeland security.

Described by President Bush as "someone who understands that a sound infrastructure will lead to economic opportunity for all Americans," Mineta will play a major role in efforts to reauthorize federal highway and airport funding during the 108th Congress.

It won’t be the first time Mineta has been intimately involved in issues that greatly affect the equipment industry. He was a principle force behind the enactment of highway legislation (ISTEA) in 1991 and again in 1998 with the enactment of TEA-21, which allocated almost $32 billion in federal funds to road construction and renovation.

"Transportation is a key to generating competitiveness of businesses in the world economy," according to Mineta. His 100,000-employee executive branch department is responsible for America’s surface, air and maritime transportation network.

For more information, visit aed.org.

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