ATA Honors Professional Drivers During Weeklong Celebration
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WASHINGTON — Top commercial drivers highlighted the trucking workforce’s role in promoting transportation safety and economic prosperity nationwide at an event near the U.S. Capitol marking National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.
American Trucking Associations recognized four members of its Road Team for their commitment to safety and professionalism during the industry’s weeklong celebration of commercial drivers. The Road Team captains emphasized truckers’ essential role in maintaining the flow of commerce across communities large and small.
“People don’t realize the sacrifice that we make to provide them with everything that they need in their daily living,” April Coolidge, a driver with Walmart Transportation, told Transport Topics on Sept. 19. “And there’s a lot of sacrifices we make. You know, we’re not home for baseball games or birthdays and things like that. So we make a lot of sacrifices to be out there on the road away from our families. So it means a lot to be recognized for the things that we give up and that we do for our country.”
“It’s really important that we highlight drivers on the road [for] what we do,” added Emily Plummer, a driver with Prime Inc.
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Michael Whitehead, who drives for FedEx Freight, explained that the weeklong recognition helps amplify the workforce’s significant economic impact by reminding the public “what we do every day for a living and being a professional driver.”
“It gives the drivers the respect that they’ve earned,” said Wayne Crowder, also with FedEx Freight and grand champion of the 2004 National Truck Driving Championships. “They really appreciate people reaching out to them and telling them what a good job they’re doing.”
Walmart ranks No. 1 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest private fleets in North America. Prime and FedEx rank Nos. 20 and 2, respectively, on the TT 100 list of the largest for-hire carriers.
This year’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week ran Sept. 15-21. The nationwide campaign spotlights the industry’s contributions to safety and the economy. On Capitol Hill, Sens. John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) introduced a resolution designating the week of Sept. 15 as “National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.”
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“I’m proud to support the men and women who drive long hours to deliver goods and products across the country and move our communities forward. Arkansas truckers play a crucial role in our economy,” Boozman said. Kelly added, “Truckers are the backbone of our economy, driving long hours to deliver the goods that keep stores stocked and businesses running.”
ATA praised Congress’ attention to this workforce campaign.
“National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is an opportunity for us as a nation to take stock of the countless ways truckers provide for all of us. Their impact can be seen and felt everywhere, because everything we want or need is moved by truck,” said ATA President Chris Spear. “We applaud Sens. Boozman and Kelly for leading this bipartisan effort to recognize the extraordinary hard work, dedication and sacrifice of America’s professional drivers. Our reliance on truckers is absolute, and our appreciation for them should be as well. This resolution serves as a reminder of their indispensable role in our daily lives.”
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