AOPA mourns transportation titan
E.G. “Bud” Shuster, former 15-term congressman from Pennsylvania, died April 19 at the age of 91.
Shuster’s tenure in Congress began in 1973 and ended in 2001, during which he served three terms as chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. His work in transportation earned him the title as the “king of asphalt”—a name tied to his legacy that lives on in the miles of smooth highways and paved runways he fought for.
“Chairman Shuster was a force, and our Nation’s highways, aviation system, ports and waterways, rail network, water systems, and more all benefited from his ability to bring together Members of Congress from across the political spectrum in support of infrastructure,” said the current chairman of the committee Shuster once led, Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), in a statement. “When T&I succeeds, it’s because we are following a roadmap of accomplishment that he provided.”
While he was serving as chair of the committee, Shuster championed efforts to unlock the surplus in the aviation trust fund. He also reserved projected budget surplus to allow for full spending of the aviation trust fund in 1999, and worked diligently for House approval to unlock the aviation trust fund for the future.
Shuster retired from Congress in 2001, citing health concerns. His seat was taken over by his son, Bill Shuster, who represented Pennsylvania between 2001 and 2019; like his father, Bill worked extensively in transportation.
“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 AOPA President Mark Baker. “He clearly recognized the economic benefits that aviation brings to our nation’s economy. Few members of Congress were able to get things done like Bud Shuster and our nation’s transportation systems benefited from his leadership. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Shuster family.”
Shuster is survived by his five children, 12 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and his wife Darlene Johnston.
Lillian Geil
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