Georgia
As a result of complications related to his recent illness, Georgia State Legislative Director Wiley Vaughn passed away July 8, at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Ga. He was 56.

According to new Georgia Legislative Director Danny Boyles, Vaughn was admitted to Emory University Hospital in June and had emergency surgery early last month. He was recovering in a rehabilitative wing of the hospital following the surgery, but was moved to the intensive care unit after developing complications. He died in the intensive care unit.

A funeral service was held for Vaughn on July 10, at Antioch Baptist Church II in Milan, Ga.

At the request of his family, donations in Vaughn's honor should be made to the Arbor Baptist Church, 1137 Merrimac Drive Extension, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.

The Wiley Vaughn Benefit Fund, established to help defray the cost of medical expenses, is also accepting donations. Contributions should be sent to the Wiley Vaughn Benefit Fund, c/o Warshauer & Woodruff, 2700 The Grand, 75-14th Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309-3645.

Vaughn was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor in March and had undergone two surgical procedures.

Vaughn joined Local 824 of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen as a freight brakeman on the Seaboard Atlantic Line in 1961.

During his career, Vaughn held various offices in UTU Local 1790 at Fitzgerald, Ga., including local chairperson and legislative representative.

He is survived by his wife Linda, son Brian, and daughter, Heather.

Louisiana
The 1999 Louisiana Legislature concluded with fairly good news for UTU members, reports Legislative Director Tyrone Boudreaux.

On July 2, H.B. 2158, which places an "hours of service" limit on all drivers of contract carrier limousine services, was signed into law by Governor M.J. Foster.

Drivers are now limited to 10 hours of service per day, with eight-hour rest periods required between shifts and no more than 70 hours of service in an eight-day period.

H.B. 808, which criminalized the entering of railroad property without proper authority, was killed in committee.

And H.B. 773, the railroad vandalism bill, was indefinitely deferred. Passage of this bill could easily have resulted in a charge of "criminal vandalism" against an employee involved in a train derailment, Boudreaux explained.

"These were major accomplishments," said Boudreaux, adding that both H.B. 808 and H.B. 773 were pushed very hard by the railroad industry.

Unfortunately, the crew consist bill H.B. 2009 lost in committee by a six-to-four vote. However, Boudreaux asked that all UTU members in the district of Rep. Kay Iles contact her office to express their appreciation for her efforts to support this legislation.

Virginia
State Legislative Director Richard Jeskey reports that the second annual UTU Benefit Golf Tournament and Seminar of Virginia/West Virginia, organized by UTUIA Field Supervisor Joe Fletcher, was held June 3 at the Countryside Golf Course in Roanoke, Va.

The tournament and a raffle raised $1,184 and the proceeds will be contributed to the cost of the Habitat for Humanity home which was built by UTU Insurance Association volunteers. Forty-six participants took part in the two-day event.

Jeskey said that not only was the golf tournament a great success, but the seminar held the following day proved to be an invaluable tool for all those who are active and interested in the union process.

The tournament was won by the foursome of David Ayers, Bart Thornton, and Jimmy Atkinson, all of UTU Local 559 at Roanoke, Va., and Mike Berton of the BLE.

"The fact that both UTU and BLE players united to become victorious proves that we can join together and become a first-place team," Jeskey said.

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