Source: CP staff
One former and nine current Congressmen are scheduled to briefly address the second Rally for Roads: Make Transportation Job #1, March 20 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Groups representing construction materials producers, contractors, road-building equipment interests, and other infrastructure stakeholders are timing the one-hour event to highlight the importance of legislation funding the federal highway program long term—well beyond the most recent temporary funding extension that expires March 31.
Former Rep. Max Sandlin (D-TX) will be Rally for Roads master of ceremonies, introducing a bipartisan contingent of guests who are helping move a new highway bill through the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee: Rep. Jason Almire (D-PA), Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA), Rep. John Duncan (R-TN), Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), and Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV). Also scheduled to speak is Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), sponsor of current legislation (Fly ash, Masonry Check-Off) favorable to concrete interests.
The Rally will kick off at 11 a.m. between 14th & 15 Streets, near the base of the Washington Monument. The location will accommodate a projected crowd of 1,000—double the number from the first Rally in May 2011—and a fleet of concrete mixer and aggregate dump trucks, plus construction equipment dispatched by sponsor-affiliated producers and contractors.
Since renewing their coalition last month, Rally for Roads: Make Transportation Job #1 organizers have enlisted additional sponsors, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, long a proponent of infrastructure investment, and National Association of Manufacturers. Coalition members representing concrete producers and their suppliers or customers are National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, American Concrete Pavement Association, Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute, Portland Cement Association and National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association. — www.rallyforroads.com