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“RECOGNITION OF THE COMPLETION OF U.S. HIGHWAY 72” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1624-E1625 on Aug. 7, 1998.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNITION OF THE COMPLETION OF U.S. HIGHWAY 72
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HON. ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER, JR.
of alabama
in the house of representatives
Thursday, August 6, 1998
Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the long-awaited completion of the four-laning of U.S. Highway 72 in northern Alabama.
On Friday, August 7, we will dedicate the final section of the highway to be completed from the city of Stevenson to the city of Bridgeport at the Alabama-Tennessee state line.
Our community has worked toward this day and waited for this day for a very long time. For the first time ever, people will be able to travel on four lanes of Highway 72 from state line to state line. It will be a better highway and, most importantly, a safer highway. This last section of Highway 72 has been a dangerous, narrow stretch of road. Tragically, we have lost lives on this highway. The completion of this road is long overdue.
Mr. Speaker, in recognizing the completion of Highway 72, I would like to pay special recognition to Congressman Bob Jones, without whose work this day would not have been possible.
Congressman Jones represented north Alabama in the House of Representatives with distinction and honor for 30 years. A native of Jackson County, Congressman Jones was the chairman of the House Public Works and Transportation Committee. The four-laning of Highway 72 is part of the enormous legacy that Congressman Jones left the state of Alabama. Sadly, Mr. Speaker, Congressman Jones passed away last year at the age of 85. We deeply regret that Congressman Jones will not be with us at Friday's dedication, but we know he will be with us in spirit.
When I first came to Congress, I knew that the completion of Highway 72 had to be one of my top priorities, for the sake of the people who travel on 72 and the sake of the groundwork laid by Congressman Jones and my immediate predecessor, Congressman Ronnie Flippo. I want to thank all of my colleagues in the House who voted for the $25 million I proposed for the completion of Highway 72. With this money, the Alabama Department of Transportation was able to finally finish the highway.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend all of the citizens of Alabama who poured their time and effort into the four-laning of Highway 72. The dedication of this last section of the highway is a major milestone for our people and our community.
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