INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, September 9 — On July 27, 2021, members of the BLET’s District of Columbia State Legislative Board convened their 5th quadrennial meeting at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Brother Herbert Harris Jr. was reelected by acclamation to a fifth consecutive term as Chairman. Brother Harris is an Amtrak locomotive engineer and member of BLET Division 482 (District of Columbia). He has been a BLET member since 1997. He was first elected Chairman of the Washington D.C. Legislative Board in 2005, and then reelected by acclamation at quadrennial meetings in 2009, 2013, 2017, and most recently in 2021.
“I am proud of our accomplishments and the support of a dedicated team of officers,” Chairman Harris said. “We have a special opportunity in this country to expand passenger rail and create a more efficient national passenger rail system. We look forward to contributing to this conversation and other issues that impact our members and their families.”
Also elected by during the meeting were: 1st Vice Chairman Christopher R. Martone, Division 14 (District of Columbia); 2nd Vice Chairman Carlyle L. Smith, Division 482 (District of Columbia); Secretary-Treasurer Chris Dort, Division 14 (District of Columbia); Assistant Secretary-Treasurer William F. Broadus, Division 482 (District of Columbia); Chris Edgerton, Audit Committee, Division 482 (District of Columbia); Todd Woollam, Audit Committee, Division 14 (District of Columbia); and Ben J. Williams, Division 14 (District of Columbia).
National President Dennis Pierce addressed the delegates to discuss some of the major issues facing our Brotherhood. Vice President and National Legislative Representative Vince Verna briefed delegates on congressional and legislative issues. He also discussed the pending infrastructure legislation in the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.
“I congratulate Brother Herb Harris and all officers of the District of Columbia Legislative Board,” President Pierce said. “I thank these Brothers for taking the time out of their personal lives and dedicating it to our Brotherhood. They are an important voice in our nation’s capital for the BLET’s passenger and commuter rail members.”
Jennifer Mitchell, Director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, attended the meeting and discussed the Transforming Passenger and Commuter Rail in Virginia Plan and the major investment to expand Amtrak and Virginia Rail Express service in the region.
The District of Columbia State Legislative Board (DCSLB) represents approximately 225 active BLET members who work for Amtrak, MARC, and Virginia Rail Express. The DCSLB is the only BLET state legislative board comprised entirely of passenger and commuter locomotive engineers.