President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the legislation that established the U.S. Department of Transportation. Transportation has truly emerged as a significant part of our national life. As a basic force in our society, its progress must be accelerated so that the quality of our life can be improved. Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater has emphasized that transportation is more than concrete and steel. It is about people and widening the circle of opportunity.
Transportation plays a critical role in making our communities more livable.
Safety is President Clinton and Vice President Gore's highest transportation priority and the North Star by which the Department is guided and is willing to be judged. Our country has experienced great strides in reducing highway-related fatalities. Our aviation safety record continues to be the best in the world. The Department of Transportation has accomplished very much in the last 33 years, but there is still much work to do. Old Meadow Road Suite 500 McLean, Virginia 22102 703.