Bob Franks: “Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1162 designates the bridge on U.S. Route 231 over the Ohio River near Owensboro, Kentucky, as the…”

“Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1162 designates the bridge on U.S. Route 231 over the Ohio River near Owensboro, Kentucky, as the ``William H. Natcher Bridge'' in honor of our late and former colleague William Natcher. Representative Natcher was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in 1909 and was educated at Western Kentucky College and the Ohio State University Law School. His life was dedicated to public service, serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II and holding a series of local and State offices before being elected to Congress. He moved up the ranks of the Committee on Appropriations, eventually assuming chairmanship of the full Committee in 1993. I am proud to have had the privilege of serving in the House with Congressman Natcher. Although well-known for having cast 18,401 consecutive votes during his 40 years here, Congressman Natcher's accomplishments are much more than his extraordinary voting record. He put an extremely high value on public service and set a very high standard for himself. Bill Natcher was always an inspiration to me and I know to many other Members, as well. He was a gentleman, a statesman, and a man of unquestioned integrity who served this House and his constituents in Kentucky from 1954 until his death in 1994 with quiet, unfailing dedication.”