Former US House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman Bud Shuster died on April 19 at the age of 91.
“Bud Shuster was a doer and tireless advocate of all modes of transportation. He worked in a very bipartisan way and sought to strengthen America’s aviation system, roads, rails, and ports," said Mark Baker, chief executive and president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA).
"AOPA was proud to honour Bud in 1999 with our highest award for public service, the Hartranft Award, to recognise his significant support for and contributions to general aviation," Baker added.
Shuster, a Republican congressman who represented Pennsylvania from 1973 to 2001, earned the soubriquet "the king of asphalt" for his work on transport.
Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Same Graves said "highways, aviation system, ports and waterways, rail network, water systems, and more all benefitted from his ability to bring together members of Congress from across the political spectrum in support of infrastructure".