As previously reported, President George W. Bush has designated Member John Arthur Hammerschmidt as Vice Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, effective Sunday, January 19. Member Hammerschmidt released the following statement:

"I am grateful for the opportunity President Bush has given me by naming me Vice Chairman - and therefore Acting Chairman - of the National Transportation Safety Board.

"I want to first acknowledge the steady leadership of Vice Chairman Carol Carmody, who has led this agency twice in the last two years when the NTSB was without a Chairman.

"The NTSB, while being one of the federal government's smallest agencies, has a big job in investigating significant transportation accidents, as was demonstrated again just last week in Charlotte, North Carolina.

"I have had the honor of working at the Safety Board for 18 years and have come to appreciate the high level of professionalism and dedication of its staff. I intend to do everything I can to ensure that this agency maintains the unparalleled respect it enjoys worldwide as it continues to fulfill its mandate to improve the level of safety in all modes of transportation."

FMI: www.ntsb.gov