Many folks don’t think about the roads that they drive along, the rails they ride along, or the runways they land on.  But these rails, roads, and runways carry groceries and medical supplies, books and clothing–not to mention passengers–to every corner of our nation. So during this 50th anniversary of National Transportation Week, we’re celebrating the critical arteries that keep America moving safely and efficiently.

National Transportation Week evolved through the hard work of Charlotte Jones Woods, who saw the need to educate students about the importance of transportation. As the educational chair of the Women’s Transportation Club of Houston (WTCOH) in 1952, she was tasked with giving out a transportation-related scholarship of $500, a scholarship for which no one applied.

But Mrs. Woods was not discouraged by this lack of interest.  She simply made it her mission to educate Texans about the many opportunities in transportation by dedicating one week a year to it.

In 1962, Congress and President John F. Kennedy recognized the potential value of the Women’s Transportation Club’s annual event and instituted a National Transportation Week to be held every year in May.

How is DOT marking this special week? By talking about our number one priority. During the next few days, we’ll highlight our commitment to ensuring the safety of America’s transportation systems, a commitment we pursue all 52 weeks of the year.

We’ll also be talking about the tremendous value of our investments in America’s transportation infrastructure. Because highway lanes, transit networks, air traffic control systems, and port facilities don’t build themselves.

The safety and reliability of our nation’s infrastructure are critical for our economy and for many aspects of our daily lives. Through competitive grants, formula programs, and educational efforts, DOT never stops working to keep America moving forward.

But we can’t do it alone, and we can’t do it half way. This country needs a long-term transportation plan, and Congress needs to act now. That means means putting people before party and coming together to work through the real challenges that face our transportation system.

National Transportation Week is an opportunity to pause and take notice.  If you’re reading this at work, you counted on transportation to get you there. If you bought a coffee on your way, those coffee beans got from farm to roaster to corner diner using the many different modes of our vast transportation network. If you’re a small business owner, and you shipped a package to a valued customer, or if you’re a parent and you gave your child some medicine this morning–well, you get the point.

Transportation moves America safely. At DOT, we think about this every day, so you don’t have to.

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