[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 2, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                ST. JOHNS RIVER VETERANS MEMORIAL BRIDGE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN L. MICA

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 1, 2004

  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, on Memorial Day, May 31, 2004 a ceremony was 
held in Central Florida in commemoration of naming the new Interstate 4 
bridge connecting Volusia and Seminole Counties as the ``St. Johns 
River Veterans Memorial Bridge''.
  The designation of this structure, a principal transportation link, 
was made possible by action of the Florida Legislature; by an Act 
signed into law by Governor Jeb Bush on May 13, 2004; and by 
resolutions adopted by the Seminole County Commission and the Volusia 
County Council.
  While it was my privilege to recommend naming the bridge in honor of 
all veterans who have served our Nation, I would like to express my 
appreciation--and that of all Florida veterans and citizens--to those 
State and local leaders who made this tribute to our veterans and 
special designation possible:
  Governor Jeb Bush.
  Members of the Florida Senate representing Seminole and Volusia 
Counties--Sen. Evelyn J. Lynn, Chair of the Volusia County Legislative 
Delegation; Sen. Lee Constantine; Sen. Anna P. Cowin; Sen. Anthony C. 
``Tony'' Hill, Sr.; Sen. James E. ``Jim'' King, Jr.; Sen. Bill Posey; 
and Sen. Daniel Webster.
  Members of the Florida House of Representatives representing Seminole 
And Volusia Counties--Rep. David Simmons, Chair of the Seminole County 
Legislative Delegation; Rep. Sandra ``Sandy'' Adams; Rep. Carey Baker; 
Rep. Joyce Cusack; Rep. Suzanne M. Kosmas; Rep. David J. Mealor; Rep. 
Pat Patterson; and Rep. Joe H. Pickens.
  The Seminole County Commission--Chairman Daryl G. McLain and 
Commissioners Carlton D. Henley; Grant Maloy; Randall C. Morris and 
Dick Van Der Weide.
  The Volusia County Council--Chairman Dwight Lewis and Council Members 
Joie Alexander; Frank Bruno, Jr.; Jack Hayman; Joe Jaynes; Bill Long 
and Patricia Northey.
  Furthermore, I would like to recognize four families who lost loved 
ones in service to our Nation and who participated in the Memorial Day 
dedication ceremony. These eight individuals represented many other 
families and Americans who have made similar, great sacrifices:
  Jesse and Arbutus Beall. Their son, Specialist 4 Charles Richard 
Beall, was killed in action in Kontum, South Vietnam on March 6, 1968 
while serving in the United States Army.
  Jim and Sandy Wetmore. Their son, Airman 1st Class Brian William 
McVeigh of the United States Air Force, was killed in a terrorst attack 
on the Khobar Towers Military Complex in Saudi Arabia on June 25, 1996.
  Mrs. Jill Roberts and her son, Jacob. Jill's husband and Jacob's 
father, Corporal Robert D. Roberts of the United States Anny, died on 
November 22, 2003 while serving in Baghdad, Iraq.
  Mrs. Minna Earnest and her son, Brian. Minna's husband and Brian's 
father, Commander Charles M. Earnest of the United States Navy, 
perished at sea during combat operations in North Vietnam on November 
28, 1972, and Minna's son and Brian's brother, Charles Bradley Earnest, 
a member of the United States Army Special Forces, died on August 21, 
1999 from injuries previously sustained during combat training.
  Each day in Central Florida as tens of thousands of travelers cross 
the St. Johns River Veterans Memorial Bridge, they will be reminded of 
the price these and thousands of other veterans and their families have 
paid for the freedoms all Americans enjoy.

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