Contact: Ernie Blazar 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Monday, May 20, 2002

MOBERLY, MO – Senator Kit Bond today pledged to continue his efforts to improve the safety on the roads and bridges throughout Missouri. Bond’s remarks were made at the ribbon cutting celebrating the completion of additional lanes to Highway 63, making it four lanes from Moberly to Jefferson City for the first time. Bond was joined by local citizens, local officials and Congressman Kenny Hulshof (R-MO) at the ceremony.

“Making travel safe throughout Missouri is one of my number one goals,” said Bond, a member of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee. “We cannot let these priorities slip through the cracks when lives are at stake.”

Since his election to the United States Senate in 1986, Bond has fought to ensure Missouri receives it’s fair share of highway improvement dollars. In 1998, Bond won an increase in Missouri’s share, allowing projects like the widening of Highway 63 to occur.

Construction on Highway 63 began in December 1999, after Bond was able to announce that $31,500,000 was secured for US 63 in Randolph and Boone Counties. The sections from Moberly to Jacksonville and Macon to Kirksville are set to begin construction in 2004.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Bond also discussed the importance of the dedication of the stretch of Highway 63 from Moberly to Jefferson City as the ‘Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway.’ “This dedication will help us to remember that defining moment in United States History – the first time U.S. soil was bombed by a hostile foreign power,” said Bond. “Unfortunately, this was not the only time. On September 11th, we had a reminder that our Nation is not immune to attack. As after the Pearl Harbor attack, our Nation is standing strong to eradicate those who have and will seek to do us harm.”

Bond presented the temporary ‘Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway’ sign to Mr. CO Clements, a Pearl Harbor veteran who was instrumental in renaming this section of Highway 63. “With America’s new sense of patriotism and reflection on history in a post-September 11 world, I am proud to once again help remind Missourians of the sacrifice made at Pearl Harbor by our service men,” said Bond.