Congressman Lewis Celebrates Opening of Safer Port Irwin Road

CONGRESSMAN LEWIS CELEBRATES OPENING OF SAFER FORT IRWIN ROAD

Prepared remarks of Congressman Jerry Lewis at the dedication ceremony for the redesigned Fort Irwin Road :

It is with great pride, and a certain amount of relief, that I join today in dedicating the new and definitely improved Fort Irwin Road . This project has tested the patience and perseverance of everyone involved, and I want to congratulate both San Bernardino County and the Army for sticking to it and getting the job done.

The completion of this project means first and foremost that we will see far fewer deaths and injuries from traffic accidents. Some 40 people lost their lives along this stretch of road over the years, it was imperative that something be done to end that danger.

When both soldiers and residents of Barstow came asking for help in finding a solution, it became apparent that this was one of those projects that fall through the cracks if left to the decisions of government agencies.

It was not in the city limits, so the Barstow City Council could not invest in repairs. It was not on the base, so the Army had no jurisdiction - and the commanders there had other more pressing needs to fill. It was never going to make the priority list for Caltrans, and San Bernardino County had too many other unmet highway needs.

Every constituent knows to "call the congressman" when something needs to get done. I feel blessed that my constituents have consistently returned me to Congress, and because of that I am in a position to respond to those requests for support.

The only way to get funding for this project was for Congress to earmark it directly. The only person in the federal government who truly is listening to the needs of these constituents is their congressman. This is why congressional earmarks are vital: Without them, this dangerous road would never have received the funding to be fixed.

There will be some in Washington who complain that such a designation of funds to fill a special need is unfair, or a misuse of federal funds. There are some reporters and editors in our local media who would focus on those distant voices of complaint rather than come here and see the good that has been done with these expenditures.

We live in a world that is growing ever closer through electronic communication, where the press can tap into data on the internet, and try to draw connections between one number and another. These online highways can lead to tantalizing possibilities, but they do not necessarily lead to the truth.

We stand here today on a real highway - one connecting our local constituents in Barstow with our national responsibilities at Fort Irwin . Not a single life has been lost in the past year on Fort Irwin Road , thanks to the now-completed improvements - that is money well-spent.

Reporters and editors need to get out from behind their computer screens and come to see how federal spending has improved San Bernardino County . Providing those improvements is my top priority as a congressman, and I am proud to have the opportunity to continue to do just that.

http://www.house.gov/jerrylewis/november72006.html