I’m so pleased to be here for the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike ceremony, marking the completion of the transcontinental railroad.  This is a great day to commemorate the seminal contribution that railroads and railroad workers — including approximately 12,000 or more Chinese laborers—who risked everything to make the Transcontinental Railroad a reality. The...

Today – at the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike Ceremony marking the completion of the transcontinental railroad –  is a day to commemorate the achievement of railroads and railroad workers – including approximately 12,000 or more Chinese laborers – who risked everything to make the Transcontinental Railroad a reality. The Transcontinental Railroad was a...

Thank you, Bob  [ Cabana – Director, Kennedy Space Center ], for the introduction, for NASA’s  hospitality, and for your decades of service to our nation.   NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is always an extraordinary place to visit.  Three months from now marks the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 — the greatest human feat in...

Thank you, Jason [ Siwula, Executive Director, Kentucky Office of Highway Safety ].  And thanks very much for everything that you and your colleagues are doing to make Kentucky’s roads safer.   There is no higher calling and greater mission than saving lives and preventing injuries.   The men and women gathered here today at...

Thank you, Ray.   Welcome to my hometown! I really hope you enjoy your stay in Louisville. And please spend lots of money – the city will appreciate it!   This is such an exciting time for our country – and the U.S. trucking industry. In 2018, the U.S. economy grew at a rate of...

Thank you, Finch.  Finch is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy and leading a team of DOT specialists who are here at SXSW to conduct several information-sharing sessions.  At 11:00 this morning, DOT will host “The New Urban Mobility Partnership.”  Following that will be “By Land, Air, and Sea:  The Future of Freight” and...

Thank you, Bill. It is great to be back here.  This National Bike Summit – the 20th – marks two decades of mobilizing bicycle enthusiasts, advocates and stakeholders to ensure that federal policymakers are aware of the needs of America’s bicyclists.  This event has become an impressive and important transportation forum. Safety is always the...

Thank you, President Schaitberger, [General President, International Association of Fire Fighters].   I am pleased to be here today with the IAFF leadership team, and so many IAFF members. You are patriotic heroes in your communities, who bravely deliver life-saving fire and rescue services and emergency medical care. The Department of Transportation is proud to...

Thank you, Deputy Secretary Rosen. Let me welcome Leader Kevin McCarthy, whose 23rd District includes China Lake and Edwards Air Force Base, as well as the Mojave Air and Space Port. And let me welcome Sir Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Galactic, which is helping to create new milestones in commercial space. And let...

Thank you, Neil [TRB Executive Director Neil Pedersen], for that warm welcome.   We are pleased to be here today, to update you on the Department’s innovation agenda, and share some exciting news about drones, autonomous vehicles and commercial space.   There is no doubt that this is one of the most exciting eras in...