[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 111 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1624-E1625]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNITION OF THE COMPLETION OF U.S. HIGHWAY 72

                                 ______
                                 

                    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

[[Page E1625]]

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.

                          ____________________