[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 194 (Thursday, December 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2305-E2306]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  WORDS OF CONGRATULATION ON ENACTMENT OF LEGISLATION DESIGNATING THE 
                        NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM

                                 ______


                      HON. WILLIAM F. CLINGER, JR.

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 1995

  Mr. CLINGER. Mr. Speaker, I ask that the following letter be inserted 
in its entirety into the Congressional Record. The writer of the letter 
is a constituent of mine, Thomas D. Larson. Tom served President Bush 
as a very creative and dynamic Administrator of the Federal Highway 
Administration. Prior to that he was Secretary of the Pennsylvania 
Department of Transportation, and for many years he was a Prof. of 
Engineering at Pennsylvania State University.
  Given his breadth of experience, I believe Tom's words of 
congratulation to my friend, neighbor, and colleague, Transportation 
Committee Chairman Bud Shuster, have special merit and are aptly 
deserved. And in closing, I want to join with Tom to signal my profound 
appreciation for the hard work and capable leadership of Bud Shuster. 
He has done, and continues to do, a masterful job.

                                                   Lemont, PA,

                                                November 20, 1995.
     Hon. Bud Shuster,
     Chairman, House Committee on Transportation and 
         Infrastructure, Rayburn House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Congratulations! Yet again, you have 
     moved America forward in transportation by putting the NHS on 
     the President's desk.
       Your call reporting the House action was typical of your 
     thoughtfulness and I am deeply appreciative. My role in NHS 
     has been minimal--other than as remote supporter. Your role 
     has been pivotal since day one. You deserve warm accolades 
     from virtually every sector of American society. 
     Transportation is, without doubt, a key thread in the fabric 
     of that society.
       In his message to the 9th Congress, President Jefferson 
     captured the essence of what you have done for America. He 
     said, ``By these [public works and transportation 
     improvements] new channels of communications will be opened 
     between the states, the lines of separation will disappear, 
     their interests will be identified, and their union cemented 
     by new and indissoluble ties.'' He 

[[Page E 2306]]
     went on to say roads and canals would knit the union together, 
     facilitate defense, furnish avenues of trade, break down 
     local prejudices, and consolidate that union of sentiment so 
     essential to the national policy.
       Clearly, Mr. Chairman, for leadership in ``consolidating 
     that union of sentiment'' essential to achieving the NHS, Mr. 
     Jefferson would salute you. I certainly do!
           With warm thanks,
     Tom Larson.

                          ____________________