UF00083549_00006.pdf

UF00083549_00006.txt

UF00083549_00006_pdf.txt

mm moo RALLY PAGE:
February 20, 1960



mam TM:
M:

8m: Robert Howan

when l was honored by an invitation to epeak tonight, I decided to talk about
just one of thou fine thine I know. personally, about our candidate, lerrie

Bryant .

In 1953. Farrie Bryant wee Speaker of the Houee, having been elected by the
biggeet Iajority ever in a oonteeted election. As each. he had great influ-

ence with that body.

I was then Preeident of the Dede Cheater of Cmerce. We were convinced that
a four-lane toll road leadim lorth tn. Dade County was a vital neoeeeity to
our tourist indnatry, and we were pleed to full cooperation and auietenoe
by our Dado delegation to achieve that objective. He met have spent about

ae mch tine in Tallahaeeee as did the governor hie-elf.

'nte'larmike . nowhuwneetheunahinetetelarhuay. . provedto
be e eubject of intense eectional bitterneee. mule we believed that the

added comfort and convenience or the touriet was good for 91-]. Florida, many
in the legielature violently oppoeed ite contraction. And, 1'- me they

were just an eineere ae we were.

hit what loot concerned as wee that there were lore of than than of us.

Near the end of that session we polled the n-berehip of the Renae to learn
that the opposition would defeat the lurnpike Bill when it reached the floor.
It wee eoncluaive in our minds that only the W! of the Home. Parrie

Bryant, could lake the turnpike a reality.

3m: Dobort lbroan I

Farris Bryant called both aidoa toqathar, aold our opposition on the aonnd
roaoarch for thio font-lam highway, oonvinoad th- it nonld pay for itoalf
and finally Olfactad tho contain Ihich roanltod in tho turmiha ohich hao
Ion than prom itself, and which mo tron Pt. Piano to Maui tochy.

Hora no disappointed that tho turnpiha van to run but 110 nilaa North? Of
oourao no rota! Ho vantod tho laoiolatm to qivo no thoao i'aoilitiao all
tho way to Jacksonville. ht I hit to you that on: arvuaant uao nook.
because tho emulation undo by tho Stota load Dopartnont oallad for only
110 milao, and booanaa tho axtonaivo study nndartakon on behalf of tho ad-
ainiotrntion by iodapaodont roaoaroh organisation proved that only that
lonqth oaa faaaihla . would pay for itoalf. And I out-it that this
haalthy bovixming van a truondoua aohlovoaaot in tho light of tho diopooi-
tion of tho loqialatnro at that tila. It ia aimifioant of Portia Bryant
and his high roopact for tax dollars that ho plaoad hia inflooooo uholo-
hoartodly hahind this projaot to tho vary lioit of hia ability . hooauao

raooaroh provad it won aoonolioally aound to (I: no.

In closing. let no imart to you a truth Ihich uplaioo atno of Yarrio
Brynnt'o strum South Florida amort; a factual atat.nt I but! to ho
trua boconaa "I van than. . Without Portia Bryant. thora would ho no
turnpih today!

I'aproudtoboanrynntanpportotandthomimanofhiabadaunnty
Finance Cuittoo. I've nova: had a more worthy migrant.

SID




PAGE 1

I was then President of the Dade chamber of Commerce. We were convinced that a four--lane toll road leadite North frcat Dude County was a vital neceaaity to our tourist industry, and we were pledged to full cooperation and assistance by our Dade delegation to achieve that objective. We must have spent about as --luch time in Tallahassee as did the governor hi1eeelf. The Turnpike ..now knavn as the Sunshine State Parkway ...proved to be a 511bbet of intense sectionn1 bitterness. While we believed that the added coinfort and convenience of the tcurist was good for ell. Florida, many in the legislature violently opposed its construction. And, 3% aure they were just da sincere as we 91ere. But what most concerned as was that there were more ofthem than af us. Near the end of that session we pelled the mianbership of the House to learn that the opyximation Mauld defeat the Turr.pika Bill when it reached the floor. It uns conclusive in our minds that only the Speaker of the House, Farris Bryartt, cor1ld [11ake the turnpike a remlity.

PAGE 2

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