UF00083632_00003.pdf

UF00083632_00003.txt

UF00083632_00003_pdf.txt

1W V

FOR II-fI-EDIA'IE RELEASE FROM: Governor's Office
November 15, 1963

EAROE CARAL FUNDS APPROVED

The approval of construction funds by the Committee on
appropriations of the House of Representatives is a major step
toward the prompt linking of America's vital eastern seaboard and
central states waterways systems.

The belief of the President, the congressional delegation,
the State Cabinet, and scores of interested and dedicated officials
and citizens of Florida and her sister states that this canal will
prove to be a productive and profitable boon to progress has again
been supported. When the canal is completed, and the dream of Andrew
Jackson fulfilled, the belief that has sustained this project through
years of adversity will be verified.

The support of the President has been vital to the achieve-
ment of Congressional approval, and his personal endorsement of the
projects has been of immeasurable value to those who support it.

Oh no project in my memory have our delegation to the
Congress and our elected State officials been so united in word and
deed. The House members from the majority and minority parties have
worked as one to speed and assure favorable action, and Senator
Holland and Senator Smathers have laid the groundwork in the Senate
for support that makes me most optimistic of affirmative action there.

A special word of thanks is owed Bob Bikes, the Dean of
our delegation. His leadership has been effective and his efforts
untiring on behalf of the Canal. Similarly, Representative Charles
Bennett has been a consistent force within the delegation and with
the administration to assure effective action in behalf of the

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project. Representatives Billy Matthews and Sydney Herlong have
contributed greatly to its realization.

Our energetic Secretary or State Ton Adams has given the
procurement of funds for this project tremendous leadership as has
the entire Florida Cabinet. It has been to the determination of
these men and others such as Canal Authority Chairman Bill McCroe
and Crusading Ocala Star Banner Editor emeritus Bert Dosh that much
of the credit for the progress or this project must be given.

I am, of course, pleased that it now appears virtually
certain that this project, which I made a major part or my campaign
for Governor, will become a reality in this administration. As I
review the support it has received from a variety or political
figures and governmental leaders down through the years since Jackson,
as territorial Governor, first envisioned it, and the manner in which
its promise and its potential has increased, I think it can be
truly said that this is not a project of politics, but of people,
and that it will serve the interests of the people or Florida and or

the entire nation.




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