[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 45 (Friday, April 2, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E523]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             WEST VIRGINIA QUARTER: NEW RIVER GORGE BRIDGE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 2, 2004

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, my home State of West Virginia chose a 
representation of the New River Gorge Bridge to decorate the new West 
Virginia commemorative quarter to be issued next year by the U.S. 
Department of the Treasury.
  The New River Gorge Bridge resides close to my home in Southern West 
Virginia. It symbolizes West Virginia's beauty, ingenuity, hard work, 
and our peoples' determination to do what many deem the impossible.
  Until recently, the New River Gorge Bridge was the longest single 
arch bridge in the world. Today, it is only surpassed by the Lupu 
Bridge recently built in Shanghai, China, but it is not surpassed in 
the eyes and hearts of West Virginians and those who look upon it.
  The New River Gorge is the sun around which West Virginia's ever-
expanding numbers of tourism initiatives revolve. It is the Grand 
Canyon of the east--one of America's oldest and most spectacular 
natural wonders. More Americans--indeed, more people from all around 
the world--discover our New River Gorge every year.
  I have spent a career protecting the New River Gorge. The bridge and 
the river are not only nationally acclaimed recreation destinations; 
they also generate jobs and contribute greatly to Southern West 
Virginia's economy.
  Construction began on the New River Gorge Bridge in June of 1974, and 
was opened for the public's use on October 22, 1977. The enormous 
undertaking, and breathtaking result reduced a forty-minute drive down 
windy mountain roads to a one-minute trip over one of the world's 
greatest tourist attractions.
  On the third Saturday of each October the New River Gorge Bridge is 
open to pedestrians, where hundreds of thousands of people get to walk 
the span of the bridge and enjoy a number of events, arts, and crafts. 
Some brave outdoor enthusiasts also use this day to parachute from the 
center of the bridge to the river basin 876 feet below. This day is 
referred to as ``Bridge Day,'' and it is a day that brings people from 
all over the world to Southern West Virginia.
  The New River Gorge Bridge represents what is best about West 
Virginia, our breathtaking natural beauty, and our people's skill and 
ingenuity. It is fitting that the New River Gorge Bridge was chosen to 
represent my home State in the commemorative coin series, and it is 
truly ``Wild and Wonderful'' news.

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