National security, highway safety and the economy were key issues tackled at American Trucking Assns.' 2003 Winter Leadership Meeting held last week in Washington, D.C.

In an opening address to more than 300 trucking executives at the Capital Hilton Hotel, ATA President and CEO Bill Graves stressed the importance of security as a "driving concern" to ATA and its 50 affiliated state trucking associations.
Graves praised industry leaders for coming up with innovative solutions for improving highway safety, reducing emissions and enhancing the national economy with just-in-time delivery. "Yet, in many of these areas, we run the risk today of seeing government overreach and over regulate where more practical solutions exist," Graves said.
He also expressed concern about pending 2007 diesel engine regulations that could ignore the use of promising technologies; an imminent announcement on a final hours-of-service rule; and skyrocketing insurance and fuel costs for truckers.
ATA board members and other attendees met with President Bush last Tuesday, who discussed the economy and national security. Regarding the economy, the president stressed the need for passage of his Economic Jobs and Growth Package by Congress. He also stated his support for continued investment in highway infrastructure and his opposition to any fuel tax increases. The president concluded his remarks by discussing the latest developments in the war on terrorism.
The winter meeting is held each year to allow members to discuss issues affecting the trucking industry. ATA is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of other trucking groups, industry-related conferences, and its 50 affiliated state trucking associations, ATA represents more than 37,000 members covering every type of motor carrier in the United States.
ATA aggressively promotes highway safety and security and represents the interests of 10.1 million people directly and indirectly employed by the trucking industry before the White House, the U.S. Congress, the courts and federal and state regulatory agencies.