REMARKS FOR
THE HONORABLE
NORMAN Y. MINETA
SECRETARY OF
TRANSPORTATION
DESIGNATION OF
NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAYS AND ALL-AMERICAN ROADS
WASHINGTON,
D.C.
JUNE 13, 2002
12:30 PM
Thank you for that kind introduction, Mary, and thank you for giving me this opportunity to share with you my appreciation for our nation’s scenic byways.
This is my first opportunity as Secretary to actually
designate the All-American Roads and Scenic Byways. I was the chair of the Surface Transportation Subcommittee in
the House when the National Scenic Byways Program was created more than 10 years
ago. So, I’ve been involved with
them for a long time and it’s great to see the program continue to grow.
Congressman Oberstar, who’s here today, is also
responsible for a lot of the strength and success of this program.
So, back me up here, Congressman: This program has had a
lot of support, not only from lawmakers, but from the communities they serve —especially
from the communities.
In fact, that’s the real success of this program.
Without the people, partnerships and collaboration of citizens and their
local, state and national representatives, these projects would not be the
vibrant, living monuments to the American spirit that they are today.
And it is great to see that the Travel Industry Association of America is joining this partnership
to help us get the word out about these national treasures.
According to research by the Federal Highway
Administration, only about a quarter of the traveling population are aware of
the National Scenic Byways Program. Yet,
most people – 76 percent – said they would prefer to take the more
interesting route over the quickest route.
No pressure, Bill, but I expect record numbers of visitors
on these scenic byways this Fall after our “See America’s Byways” campaign
kicks off. I’ll give you until
the spring, and then I expect those numbers to soar! Is a 50 percent increase too much to ask?
Seriously, Bill, we do appreciate your help with this
program. We look forward to working
with you and your more than 2,100 members.
In our post-September 11th world, these byways have an
increased importance. Since that
horrible day, Americans are taking the time to look around, to uncover what it
is that truly makes us American. What
we are all finding is that the American spirit is the culmination of a wide
variety of experiences that continues to mold our destiny.
You can see that variety in the new byways announced today.
The lush landscapes, gentle curves and scenic vistas of the
Arroyo Seco Parkway bring drivers through the historic arts and crafts
landscape. This scenic byway, that
connects Los Angeles to Pasadena, helped lay the groundwork for the California
freeway system.
For those who would rather immerse themselves in music, you
can drive the new Country Music Highway in Eastern Kentucky.
In addition to music, drivers will have the opportunity to experience
Native American culture and historic Civil War sites.
These new scenic byways also:
Reveal our prehistoric past with dinosaurs along Utah’s
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway;
Trace the history of our love affair with the automobile
along Michigan’s Woodward Avenue;
And, along the Indian River Lagoon Scenic Highway in
Florida, drivers are exposed to the habitat of more species of plants and
animals than anywhere else in North America.
It is important that we search out those uniquely American
places that make this Nation great. This
nation has a lot to offer everyone who comes peaceably to our shores, and no
terrorist can ever take that away from us.
Thanks, again, for coming today. Travel safely, and God Bless America.
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