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| June 7, 2005 |
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| WASHINGTON, DC - A pair of important steps taken by Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), today could open the door for faster cleanup of the Beartooth highway, damaged last month by heavy rains and mudslides. Rehberg, in separate letters, requested emergency funding in the Highway Bill for repairs, as well as a “Preserve America” designation for the nearby town of Red Lodge. “I am writing to direct your attention to the beautiful and historic town of Red Lodge, Montana, and to request its designation as a Preserve America Community,” Rehberg said in a letter to First Lady Laura Bush, who oversees the Preserve America initiative, a White House initiative for which the president has requested $12.5 million in grants to advance Preserve America communities. “People from all over the country recognize Red Lodge as synonymous, both to the saga of the West and to the history of our great nation.” Launched last year, Preserve America honors select communities for protecting and celebrating their heritage, using their historic assets for economic development and community revitalization, and encouraging visitors to experience and appreciate local historic resources through education and heritage tourism programs. “Recently, a heavy rainstorm and accompanying mudslide completely destroyed the Beartooth pass, cutting off travel into Red Lodge via the Beartooth National Scenic Byway,” Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said in a separate letter to House Transportation & Infrastructure Chairman Don Young (R-Alaska). “Therefore, I respectfully request your assistance on the Conference Committee for TEA-LU in securing emergency funding for clean-up and repair of the road." Better known as the Highway Bill, TEA-LU is currently being debated by a committee of House and Senate conferees, who also have the ability to add emergency funding to the six-year, $284 billion measure. “The Byway brings tourists from all over the country to Red Lodge, that they may experience its charm and historic heritage,” Rehberg, who also met with Young, said in his letter. “Your efforts on behalf of the citizens of Red Lodge and the entire state of Montana will be greatly appreciated.” Letters Below: June 7, 2005 Office of the First Lady, Laura Bush The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mrs. Bush, Jan and I were pleased to read of your interest and involvement in the Preserve America Initiative. In that light, I am writing to direct your attention to the beautiful and historic town of Red Lodge, Montana, and to request its designation as a Preserve America Community. Founded in the 1880s as a coal-mining community, Red Lodge is nestled at the foot of the rugged and scenic Beartooth Mountains. It is the gateway to Yellowstone National Park via the Beartooth Highway, which was designated as a National Park approach road in 1931 by President Hoover. The town sits at the northern end of the Beartooth National Scenic Byway, which the late Charles Kurault called the most beautiful road in America. Sadly, a recent rainstorm and accompanying mudslide completely destroyed the Beartooth pass, cutting off travel into Red Lodge via the Byway. It’s a situation that could harm the community’s efforts to bring tourists through the area, which is why I’ve urged Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Don Young (R-Alaska) to include emergency funding in the pending highway bill to restore Beartooth pass. The Byway is vital, of course, because it brings tourists from all over the country to experience the charm and heritage of the historic town of Red Lodge. People from all over the country recognize Red Lodge as synonymous, both to the saga of the West and to the history of our great nation. Therefore, I’m pleased to present Red Lodge for your consideration as the next designated Preserve America Community. Sincerely, Denny Rehberg Member of Congress
June 7, 2005 The Honorable Don Young Chairman House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee 2165 Rayburn House Office Building Dear Chairman Young; I’m writing to ask your assistance on a matter of vital importance to the state of Montana. Recently, a heavy rainstorm and accompanying mudslide completely destroyed the Beartooth pass, cutting off travel into Red Lodge via the Beartooth National Scenic Byway. The situation poses an economic threat both to the community of Red Lodge and to Carbon County if it is not resolved in a timely manner. As you know, the historic town of Red Lodge, Montana, is nestled at the foot of the rugged and scenic Beartooth Mountains. Founded in the 1880s as a coal-mining community, Red Lodge is a logical candidate for designation as a Preserve America Community, a fact to which I’ve drawn the attention of First Lady, Laura Bush. This historic town is also the gateway to Yellowstone National Park via the Beartooth Highway – a magnificent thoroughfare that President Hoover designated as a National Park approach road in 1931. In fact, Red Lodge lies at the northern end of the Beartooth Byway, which the late Charles Kurault called the most beautiful road in America. The Byway brings tourists from all over the country to Red Lodge, that they may experience its charm and historic heritage. Therefore, I respectfully request your assistance on the Conference Committee for TEA-LU in securing emergency funding for clean-up and repair of the road. I look forward to working with you on this important effort. Your efforts on behalf of the citizens of Red Lodge and the entire state of Montana will be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Denny Rehberg Member of Congress |
