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July 2011 Membership Meeting and Chapter Award Presentation
The July 2011 membership meeting and annual Chapter awards presentation dinner was held at the Pompeii Italian Grill, San Antonio. Chapter President Bill Fisher called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Harry Reese, member of the Board of Directors, led the group with an inspiring invocation.
After dinner, Fisher introduced the NDTA national president, Lieutenant General Kenneth Wykle.
The following briefly paraphrases General Wykle's presentation:
General Wykle expressed how pleased he and his wife, Mary, were to be back in San Antonio and for the opportunity to speak to NDTA members and guests. He remembered the last time he spoke at the Pompeii Grill (May 2009) that it was raining so hard that he and Mary had to run from the parking lot to the front door of the restaurant. Much dryer this time, Wykle added,
Referring to damage that rain causes for the roads and highways, General Wykle spoke of when he was the Federal Highway Administrator, U.S. Department of Transportation, jokingly saying his responsibilities included filling potholes. He said the funds for highways comes from the tax per gallon on fuel. However, because of the current price, and more fuel-efficient vehicles, fuel consumption has been greatly reduced, resulting in less money to build highways or give states their share of the money. He added, there hasn't been enough money for over a year. Thirty years ago, he said, the US had the best highways in the world, which is why we were so prosperous—easy to get products to the market.
Next the General asked, with a big grin, who is the oldest person in the room? All fingers quickly pointed to Bob Joyce, member of the Board of Directors. Then Wykle asked who had been an NDTA member the longest and again---Bob Joyce. He commented on Bob Joyce and how he had been a member of the NDTA since 1948. He said Bob had told him he could remember seeing the Hindenburg (blimp) fly and asked who else in the room could say that—of course no one else could.
Then, Wykle asked if anyone had any questions for him. Chief Robert Heasley spoke of gas prices and taxes the General had mentioned but said his opinion was that the real problem was the price of diesel because it was hurting the transportation industry, which directly impacts the nation's economy. Heasley then asked, what can be done about the price of diesel? Wykle responded, write your congressman. Donate to their campaign, they listen more to their supporters. If they don’t listen, vote them out.
There being no further questions from the audience, General Wykle spoke about issues the NDTA national committees are involved in.
Military Airlift -- The FAA is proposing a rule that would increase the number of hours pilots must rest before flights and during a month. Commuter airlines and air cargo haulers oppose the proposal because it would reduce the number of hours their pilots can fly—more pilots, less profit. Proponents of the proposal say tired pilots make more mistakes. In other airlift matters, General McNabb, Commander of the US Transportation Command, is pushing for more fuel efficient aircraft for the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, which would result in a reduction in the amount the military reimburses participating airlines for fuel costs.
Sealift - The Military Sealift Command (MSC) is in need of more US flag carrying vessels (restriction on use of foreign flag ships). Piracy is a huge problem on the high seas. General McNabb has a high priority on hardening MSC vessels against pirate attacks. Crews must be able to control ships from the engine room and ships must have a security cage. Due to security measures implemented after the US Maersk Alabama was hijacked in 2009, no US-flagged vessels have been boarded since—pirates go after the soft targets
Surface Transportation – Currently, under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, commercial truck drivers are allowed to be on duty for 14 hours, eleven of which they can drive. FMCSA has proposed decreasing the driving time from eleven to ten. The proposal is being heavily resisted by the American Trucking Association, citing increased cost to the U.S. economy in lost productivity and lost efficiency. Additionally, there is a move to put electronic onboard recorders on commercial trucks to replace paper logbooks, in which drivers record their driving information. Some say there are two logs kept—one of what really happened and one to show inspectors. Electronic recorders would keep accurate records. Proponents say the electronic logbook would actually be better for drivers because the companies won't be able to coerce them into keeping false logs.
Next, the General touched on ways the travel industry is obtaining additional income: The airline industry is making substantial amounts by charging for other services, especially baggage. Hotels have increased charges for other services such as hotel parking. Rental car companies are charging extra for such things as additional driver and added insurance.
In closing, General Wykle encouraged attendance at the Annual Forum and Exposition in Phoenix in September. He said Scott Davis, Chairman and CEO, UPS, would be the Keynote Speaker. Wykle added that he realized there are budget restrictions but encouraged attendance if at all possible.
Bill Fisher thanked General Wykle for his presentation and presented him with a $100.00 check for the National Scholarship Fund as a token of appreciation.
Next, Fisher turned the program over to Rufus Reed, Awards Committee Chair, for the annual Chapter awards presentation ceremony.
Reed opened by pointing out that the Chapter solicits nominations of logisticians who deserve special recognition for their dedication, professionalism and for taking that “extra step” throughout the year or during their careers. Tonight, he said, we are here to recognize seven truly deserving individuals. He then thanked everyone who took the time to nominate these star performers and he thanked the other members of the awards committee, Bill Fisher and Darryl Hamilton. link to awards and photos
Announcements:
Wesley (Shorty) Salmans, member of the Board of Directors, reminded everyone that the Chapter was participating in the Wreaths Across America to place wreaths on the graves of US war veterans at national veterans cemeteries each December. link to details
Fisher announced the upcoming Chapter Night Out at the Ballgame in August (flyer coming).
Shorty ran the 50-50 drawing. Rodney VanLeuven won the drawing, splitting a $124.00 pot with the Chapter scholarship fund. Thanks to everyone who participated. photo link
There being no further business, Bill Fisher adjourned the meeting.
To view awards history, click here
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