|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State
Rep. Joseph Brennan |
|
Brennan hosts unveiling of Fred B. Rooney Highway
HARRISBURG, Dec. 11 – State Rep. Joe Brennan, D-Lehigh/Northampton, hosted a ceremony today to unveil the Fred B. Rooney Highway.
The state legislature recently passed, and Gov. Ed Rendell signed into law, a bill that renames a portion of Route 378 from Route 22 to the Hill to Hill Bridge as The Fred B. Rooney Highway.
"It is largely because of Mr. Rooney's contribution to Bethlehem and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that Pennsylvania Route 378 runs through the city of Bethlehem today," Brennan said.
Born and raised in Bethlehem, Rooney was elected to the state Senate in 1958, where he served as chairman of the Senate Highway Committee from 1961-62. Rooney later won a special election in July 1963 to serve as a representative in the United States Congress, where he served on the House Interstate Committee and chaired the Subcommittee on Transportation and Commerce from 1976-1979.
Brennan said during Rooney's service in Congress, he was a staunch supporter of health care for the elderly, Bethlehem redevelopment, economic aid for depressed communities, restrictions on imported goods and increased federal aid for education.
"It is with great privilege that we recognize the service and dedication of a statesman like Mr. Fred B. Rooney, who served the citizens of Northampton County, Lehigh County and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with distinction for 21 years," Brennan said.
###