Wreaths Across America Day December 19, 2020

American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear recently addressed the federation’s 2020 Management Conference, highlighting the industry’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and detailing ATA’s successful efforts to keep trucks moving throughout the national crisis.   

“While others in DC panicked, the ATA led, giving direction and certainty to our members when it mattered most,” Spear said in his annual State of the Industry address, citing ATA’s successful efforts in securing federal “essential” status for carriers and keeping facilities open for drivers—both of which were critical to maintaining the flow of interstate commerce while the county locked down. 

“Our combined efforts have helped put America on a path to full recovery,” he said.

Spear said the challenges of 2020 have served to strengthen the ATA Federation, calling it “battle-hardened” as it looks to tackle a number of priority issues in the consequential year ahead. Among them, he said ATA will continue pursuing tort and legal reform, addressing the shortage of drivers and technicians and fighting for long-term funding for our national infrastructure.

“Our efforts this year on infrastructure produced a comprehensive bill in the House of Representatives--movement that paves way for passing comprehensive reform next year, regardless of who voters elect next week,” he said.