Every third Saturday in October, thousands of people converge in Fayette County to celebrate the birthday of the New River Gorge Bridge. Since its completion on October 22, 1977, we have witnessed the bridge work wonders for West Virginia.

Over the years, I have worked tirelessly to see that the New River Gorge is appropriately preserved and promoted, our natural landmark recognized, and the pristine and exhilarating whitewaters maintained for the throngs of admirers of the New River.

Construction on the bridge was completed in 1977, during my first term in Congress. Having grown up in Beckley and crossed the Gorge regularly in the era before the bridge's completion, I can personally attest to the incredible advancements the New River Gorge Bridge has brought to the area. By turning what was a winding 45-minute drive into a 45-second straight shot, that span helped to usher in new opportunities for many in southern West Virginia.

To this day, I am struck by the bridge's towering height and the knowledge that we could move the Washington Monument underneath and still have 325 feet of empty space remaining between the two.

From the first official Bridge Day in 1980, residents, visitors, excitement seekers, and government officials have looked down from the bridge to see one of the oldest and most beautiful natural sites this country has to offer. The waters of the New River below are cherished not only by West Virginians but also by people around the world.

Despite its name, the "New" River is one of the oldest rivers in North America. While still a Freshman Member of Congress, I sponsored legislation that first established its National River status. At the time, Senator Robert C. Byrd and Senator Jennings Randolph sponsored companion legislation in the Senate, and President Jimmy Carter signed the bill into law. Today, an estimated 1.2 million people visit the New River Gorge National River annually.

This miracle of modern construction has put southern West Virginia on the map in more ways than one. Bridge Day has made the Gorge the site of one of the largest, annual extreme sporting events in the world, attracting thousands upon thousands of tourists from around the globe. It can even be found jingling in purses and pockets across the country, enshrined on the back of West Virginia's state quarter.

The New River Gorge Bridge is proof positive that transportation, technological innovation, and tourism comprise a winning combination that can jump start local economies and ignite economic renewal.

The National Park Service and West Virginia's Department of Tourism are doing a great job helping to attract visitors from near and far. Rafters, kayakers, BASE jumpers, and adventure lovers of all kinds are discovering West Virginia's New River and other wild and wonderful attractions. When visitors pay homage to West Virginia's natural wonders, they also pay local merchants for goods and services, proving, once again, that nature's bounty is good for business.

In the 30 years since the completion of the New River Gorge Bridge, tourism has taken off in southern West Virginia. With attractions that provide opportunities for hunting and fishing, hiking and biking, rafting, rock-climbing, and even pampering, the future of tourism in West Virginia is bright and the possibilities for prosperity and economic growth in our communities seem endless.

The New River Gorge Bridge is also a monument to southern West Virginia's outdoor spirit. Our mountainous terrain, our forests and rivers, our whitewaters and our rocky cliffs have long provided strength and identity for all West Virginians. It gives me great pride and comfort to know that many years from now my great-grandchildren will be able to visit to the New River Gorge and experience the spirit of West Virginia, just as we do today.

I encourage everyone to visit the New River Gorge Bridge and celebrate its history and heritage. In its unwavering path, the determined waters that flow below, and the natural beauty that wraps all around it, the bridge offers the perfect opportunity to truly experience some of the best of southern West Virginia.