As the busy Thanksgiving travel week approaches, Senator Ted Kaufman (DE) has done the FAA a great service. Yesterday, he stood on the floor of the US Senate and spoke in praise of FAA Chief Scientific and Technical Advisor for Aircraft Safety Analysis, Ann Azevedo.
You can watch a video of his remarks here.
Ann has been with the FAA for 12 years, and in that time, she has become:
"a respected voice among those engaged in risk management analysis, regularly representing the FAA at national and international air safety round-tables."
Now, if that sounds a bit dry, please keep this in mind: this week, when millions of Americans board airplanes in anticipation of seeing loved ones for the first time after weeks or years of separation, they arrive safely because of FAA safety experts like Ann Azevedo.
In fact, in 2002 Ann won the Arthur S. Flemming Public Service Award for developing safety solutions that resulted in a 64% decrease in the commercial aviation fatality rate between 1998 and 2002.
Rising to the Senate floor in praise of Ann Azevedo makes good sense to me, and I thank Sen. Kaufman for this honor.
And, in singling Ann out as a "Great Federal Employee," Senator Kaufman honors the entire FAA. As the Senator pointed out,
"Tens of millions of Americans will travel this week, and most will do it without ever realizing how much work goes into keeping American travelers safe."
That's okay with us at DOT because we know there are folks out there like Senator Ted Kaufman who get it. Being called "the Senate's champion of Civil Service" is no small achievement, and federal employees everywhere--and that includes me--appreciate Senator Kaufman's attention to their service.
The Senator's speach on the Senate Floor was certainly a well deserved honor. Every one who flies, lives under air routes, or close to airports has reason to be thankful to the FAA, all its people, and the great job they do. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.
Posted by: Michael E. Bailey | November 24, 2009 at 12:10 AM