During the Mayors' Rail Summit, Conference leaders joined together to honor Representative Bud Shuster of Pennsylvania's 9th District for his leadership in promoting a stronger federal commitment to the nation's transportation infrastructure. Shuster recently announced his decision to resign from Congress effective January 31.

Calling Shuster to the podium, Conference Vice President New Orleans Mayors Marc H. Morial praised the former Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the panel that led the legislative efforts to enact the landmark federal surface transportation and aviation statutes, known as TEA-21 and AIR-21. "He leaves a strong legacy for this nation," said Mayor Morial.

As the Chair of the Conference's Transportation and Communications Committee, Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell worked side by side with Shuster in leading the mayors in support of these transportation investment initiatives. "We (the mayors) salute you. You will be missed. Your work will live on for generations. All of us owe you a debt of gratitude." Campbell said.

Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb said, "one of the reasons that Congressman Shuster is so adored by so many mayors here today is because he has understood the needs we have as mayors." Webb, who is the immediate Past President of Conference of Mayors, also said, "we are loosing a real friend, a friend of mayors who was willing to stand up. History will judge him well."

In his remarks, Shuster thanked the mayors for their strong support of his legislative efforts, indicating that these increased commitments to the nation's infrastructure would not have been possible without the backing of the mayors.

In addition to Morial, Campbell and Webb, Conference President Boise Mayor H. Brent Coles, Advisory Board Chair and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and other Conference leaders were also at the dais with Shuster during the session.

In January 1999, Shuster was previously honored with the Conference's National Legislative Leadership Award for his work on "TEA-21" during the 105th Congress.