CLEVELAND, July 24 — Herbert Harris Jr. was reelected by acclamation to continue serving as Chairman of the BLET’s District of Columbia State Legislative Board at the group’s quadrennial convention on July 11, 2013.
The Honorable Vincent C. Gray, Mayor of the District of Columbia, attended the meeting and designated the day “Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Day” in the Nation’s Capital.
Brother Harris is an Amtrak locomotive engineer and member of BLET Division 482 (Washington, D.C.). He has been a BLET member since 1997 and was first elected Chairman in 2005.
Also elected by acclamation during the convention were: 1st Vice Chairman Bruce K. Evans, Division 14 (Washington, D.C.); 2nd Vice Chairman Carlyle L. Smith, Division 482 (Washington, D.C.); Secretary-Treasurer Christopher S. Dort, Division 14 (Washington, D.C.); and Audit Committee Chairman Peter J. Sullivan, Division 482 (Washington, D.C.).
BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce extended congratulations to Brother Harris and all members and officers of the District of Columbia State Legislative Board. He expressed regret that he could not attend the meeting himself. John P. Tolman, BLET Vice President & National Legislative Representative, represented the National Division on behalf of President Pierce. Vice President Tolman briefed the members on pending legislative, political and regulatory issues.
“I offer sincere congratulations and thanks to Brother Herb Harris and all members of our District of Columbia State Legislative Board for their ongoing commitment to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen,” President Pierce said. “I have every confidence that Brother Harris and his team of officers will continue doing a professional job of representing the best interests of our members in the Washington D.C. area.”
A distinguished list of guest speakers also attended the convention, including: Joe Boardman, President & CEO of Amtrak; Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.); Vincent C. Gray, Mayor of the District of Columbia; Thelma Drake, Director of Rail and Public Transportation for the state of Virginia; and Simon Taylor, Assistant Administrator, Maryland Transit Administration (MTA).
Also in attendance were: Timothy Craver, Virginia State Legislative Board Chairman; Fred Cox, 2nd Vice Chairman, Norfolk Southern-Southern Lines General Committee of Adjustment; Chris Brown, President and Legislative Representative of Division 52 (Baltimore, Md.); and Amy Sine, Local Chairman of Division 14 (Washington, D.C.).
“Our 2013 quadrennial convention is the culmination of years of dedication and work by the officers and members of the DCSLB,” Brother Harris said. “We have successfully represented our members at every level of government and are planning an even bolder and broader future agenda.”
Brother Harris presented commemorative BLET clocks to Congresswoman Holmes-Norton, Mayor Gray, and Ms. Drake. Ms. Drake was also given special recognition for the commitment Virginia has made to Amtrak and intercity passenger rail during her tenure.
The BLET’s District of Columbia State Legislative Board represents approximately 215 active members who live in seven states throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The DCSLB is the only state legislative board comprised entirely of passenger and commuter locomotive engineers.