A safe and reliable transportation system is vital to the nation's future economic growth, personal safety and overall freedom to come and go throughout the country. The nation's roads and highways allow the free movement of people, goods and services. From commuters heading to work, to children riding the bus to school, to people driving to the stores, church, baseball practice and across the state and country on vacations, our roads and bridges are the universal transportation link that joins us together.

In Missouri, our roads and bridges are often the topic of talk at the local coffee shop. Here at home, 59 percent of our roads have been rated either poor or mediocre (only California and Massachusetts have more deficient roads). Likewise, Missouri's 23,385 bridges are rated as the second most deficient bridges in the country (TRIP, The Road Information Program).

In Congress, many of us interested in improving transportation are preparing for reauthorization of the federal Highway Bill. As a former member of the House Transportation Committee, I know the unique transportation needs facing Missouri and will be working closely with others in Congress to ensure that the needs of the Heartland are addressed throughout the process. During the last Highway Bill our persistence paid off and we received a fairer dollar-for-dollar return on the taxes Missourians pay into the Federal Highway Trust Fund. In 2003, I'll be working with Senators Kit Bond and Jim Talent to secure a higher return on our tax dollar investment. I'll also be working on other transportation needs so that Missouri has the federal resources it needs to assist the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) in addressing the transportation challenges in our region.