Senate Approves Bill Naming Red River Bridge for Pres. Bush

The full Senate has approved a measure to name the southbound I-44 bridge over the Red River in honor of President George W. Bush. Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, is principal author of Senate Bill 304, which was approved on a bipartisan vote of 40-5 on Tuesday. The vote came on the same day as the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum announced the President, his wife and daughters will be honored this April with the 2011 Reflections of Hope Award.

“This is a big day in Oklahoma for President Bush. He’s always had tremendous support in our state, and I believe our respect for the former President and his family will only grow stronger through the years,” Holt said. “As a member of the Board of Trustees for the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum Foundation, I was also very pleased that the former President and his family will be honored here next month.”

The Reflections of Hope Award is in recognition of Bush’s efforts to spread freedom and democracy, while his wife Laura, along with daughters Barbara and Jenna, are being honored for their humanitarian efforts.

Co-authors of SB 304 include Sen. Don Barrington, R-Lawton, who represents the area where the bridge is located, and Rep. Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher. Both Holt and Sanders were White House staffers during the Bush Administration.

“Since Oklahoma maintains the southbound bridge going into Texas, President Bush’s home state, I think it is geographically appropriate to name it in his honor,” Holt said. “Oklahomans are a patriotic people, and I have received strong bipartisan support for this recognition of our former President’s service to our nation.”

SB 304 now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.