On the recordNovember 3, 2015
I am honored to offer on behalf of my State of Texas, our military, and all Americans this amendment to designate the central Texas corridor as the first segment of what I truly believe will be America's next great highway, Interstate 14. As Supreme Allied Commander of Europe, General Dwight D. Eisenhower understood the critical importance of a reliable system of high-speed, high-capacity roadways to move across great distances the hardware and personnel that a modern military requires. As Commander in Chief, President Eisenhower applied these same principles to his domestic agenda with his championing of the Interstate Highway System. This allows our military to maintain maximum effectiveness and readiness, both in times of peace and in times of crisis. But even President Eisenhower could not have foreseen the incredible impact that the interstate system has had for almost every American family and business on a daily basis. Congress should not be in the business of designating a new interstate just because it can. A new interstate should truly serve the national interests on a number of levels. I am pleased to say, though, that the proposal of I-14 does not just meet these requirements; it far exceeds them. There is a reason this interstate already has a nickname, ``Forts to Ports,'' as it provides either direct or very close access for some of our country's most strategically important military and shipping assets.…
