Recognizing Timothy Arnade

Floor Speech

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Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize Timothy Arnade for his distinguished career and significant contributions and accomplishments at the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

After 41 years of federal service, including 29 years with FHWA, Mr. Arnade retired from FHWA on December 31, 2023. A dedicated public servant, Mr. Arnade began his career serving in the Peace Corps. Throughout his time with FHWA, Mr. Arnade served with distinction and operated at a consistently exceptional level. From July 7, 2008, through his retirement, Mr. Arnade served as Team Leader for Congressional Affairs in FHWA's Office of Policy and Governmental Affairs.

In this capacity, Mr. Arnade led a team that responded to all Congressional requests that came to FHWA. This included thousands of requests for technical assistance on individual pieces of legislation, spanning numerous committees and both authorization and appropriations law. Mr. Arnade also played a pivotal role in numerous Federal-aid Highway Program reauthorizations, including the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21); the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act); and most recently, the transformational Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law).

Mr. Arnade is a national expert in the areas of transportation safety, infrastructure, innovation, and accountability. All those who interacted with Mr. Arnade--Congressional and Committee staff, state and local governmental officials, FHWA and U.S. Department of Transportation leadership, and his peers in other modal administrations--readily acknowledge his dedication to the safety and improvement of our nation's infrastructure and the American people who use it. He brought a remarkable ability to communicate in a clear, effective, and timely manner with Member offices and Congressional Committees on complex transportation issues. This ability served him particularly well in times of infrastructure emergencies when responsiveness and communication are most critical.

Providing quality customer service is an inherent part of the responsibilities of any congressional and intergovernmental affairs specialist. Mr. Arnade's superior work ethic and professional drive to deliver high-quality, on-time service to Congress and others was exemplary among his peers. Mr. Arnade is well known among his colleagues for his availability, responsiveness and dedication, routinely working beyond traditional work hours to respond to Congressional inquiries. These efforts contributed to the development of high-quality legislative solutions and reinforced FHWA's reputation for providing exceptional technical assistance to Capitol Hill.

Mr. Arnade exemplifies the highest standards of public service and embodies FHWA's spirit of professionalism and customer service. Over the years, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, other congressional committees, Members of Congress, and their staff have relied on Mr. Arnade's legislative and highway policy expertise, quick and helpful responses, and cheerful demeanor. Mr. Arnade's colleagues at USDOT and FHWA depended on his tireless efforts and his never-wilted spirit. Mr. Arnade will be missed at FHWA. However, his legacy will live on in the customers he served, the staff he mentored and trained, and the colleagues he influenced.

On behalf of the Committee, my colleagues, and our staff, I thank Mr. Arnade for his steadfast public service and his support for Congress and extend our well wishes to Mr. Arnade on his retirement.

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