THE PUBLIC MIND: CONGRESSMAN SUPPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

To the Editor:

I am writing to express my praise and wholehearted agreement with Jim Grebing's front-page article in Monday's paper regarding the Highway Law and its impact to our region.

As a member of the House Public Works and Transportation Committee, I am ever-mindful of the importance of an enhanced road and bridge infrastructure and its positive relations with increasing commerce and trade. Just talk to small business folks, economic development officials, or members of any local chamber of commerce, they'll all tell you that improving the access to a community or region through its transportation network greatly betters the likelihood of attracting future business and industries. In turn, that can translate into more jobs, higher wages and a better quality of life for 8th District residents.

I am hopeful that what Congress spelled out in the 1991 highway legislation and was signed into law by President Bush will continue to make significant inroads during the next presidential administration. As Mr. Grebing insightfully points out in Monday's story, Governor Clinton made a campaign pledge to further invest in our transportation infrastructure and John Oliver, our representative on the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission, advances that plans are "on the shelf" so that our state can take advantage of this promise by immediately matching any federal funds that might come our way.

As Southern Missouri's voice in Washington, I will continue to fight for our "fair share" of transportation dollars and an enhanced road and bridge infrastructure in the 103rd Congress. I agree with Mr. Oliver's statements in the article; we are poised for ever greater improvements. I will do all I can to work with President-elect Clinton and his administration to ensure that what we have started in terms of the Highway Law and economic development comes to full fruition.

Bill Emerson

Member of Congress

Washington, D.C.