Jim Inhofe: “I wish to speak about S. Res. 135 which recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of the National Asphalt Pavement…”

“I wish to speak about S. Res. 135 which recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of the National Asphalt Pavement Association, NAPA, as it celebrates it 50th Anniversary on May 17, 2005. I am joined by my colleagues, Senators Bond, Jeffords and Baucus. NAPA is the only national association that exclusively represents an industry comprised of 1,500 asphalt companies nationwide, employing over 300,000 men and women. Today when we think of highways and roads, we think of the cars and trucks that use these facilities. We think of the agricultural products being shipped from farm to market, or packages being shipped from factories right to our homes. We think of mothers picking up their children after school, and families taking trips to the beach during the summer. Of course, we also think of commutes to and from work. What I have just described is our American economy in motion, and none of it would be possible without quality highway pavements of which asphalt is one. Just 50 years ago, the country faced a transportation crisis. In 1955, it was not easy to travel from city to city because the Interstate Highway System did not exist. The roads were unsafe, slow, and difficult to use. Traveling from city to city, which today could be done in hours took days. In the early 20th century, asphalt pavements helped get America out of the mud.…”