Editorial Section
December
1, 2003
Dear
Editor,
Mobility
is the defining experience in American life. I am writing to you
today to inform your readers of an exciting new exhibit that was
recently unveiled at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American
History. The museum has performed a complete renovation of its
transportation hall with an installation of a major new exhibition,
“America on the Move.”
The
exhibition will provide a multi-media educational experience on the
role transportation played in the nation’s development. “America on the Move” will encompass nearly 26,000 square
feet on the first floor of the museum, taking the place of former
exhibitions in the old Road Transportation, Railroad, and Civil
Engineering Halls. The show will have approximately 300 objects such
as some of the first street signs and a display about mail order
catalogs and how they changed the country’s transportation system
forever.
For
the first time, the Smithsonian will be able to present its
extraordinary transportation collections in an historical context.
‘America on the Move’ is destined to be one of our country’s
most visited exhibitions and we are thrilled with the support from
Congress and corporations, foundations and associations that is
making this presentation possible.
As
Executive Director of the New Jersey Asphalt Pavement Association, an
entity that is devoted to the preservation and maintenance of our
State’s roadways ensuring mobility to all of our citizens, I am
excited about the prospects of this exhibit and the education it
will provide to the children and citizens of this great country.
For
more information, please visit http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthemove/index.html
I
strongly encourage everyone to make the trip to Washington, D.C. to
witness this monumental exhibit.
Just think of all the dedicated construction workers who
built our modern roads and bridges and you will appreciate your
smooth ride home from Washington in a whole new way!
Sincerely,
Richard
Forman, Executive Director
WE NEED BETTER ROADS
June 4, 2002
Dear Editor,
Earlier this month, the movie Spider Man set box office records
in the United States by grossing more than 300 million dollars.
That astronomical number probably represents more than 9 million
automobile trips to get to that “magic realm” fantasy
world at thousands of neighborhood theaters.
As Executive Director of the New Jersey Asphalt Pavement Association,
an entity that is devoted to the preservation and maintenance of
our roadways, it occurs to me that we all have a responsibility
to see that those theatergoers have smooth safe roads in the real
world of 21st century New Jersey. I am also sure that the same public
is anxious to invest $300 million for a few hours of theatrical
entertainment would urge their political leaders to invest like
amounts for a long term use of their roadways and bridges in New
Jersey.
The Spider Man phenomenon grabs our imagination. It expands our
horizons. Perhaps we need a similar approach to public policy issues
that are too long neglected. Using our imagination and creativity
to stir the public resolve to reduce congestion can make it possible
to drive to that next 24-screen “blockbuster” in comfort
and safety.
I strongly encourage everyone to make his or her voice heard by
contacting State leaders. Urge them to make adequate investments
in our roads. Call 800-792-8630 or use our website www.njapa.com
to determine who your legislators are. Poor driving conditions are
sorely testing our mobility, our patience and even our sanity. Unlike
Spider Man who can soar above the streets, we need our roads. The
workforce has to get to their jobs, the goods have to get to the
stores and our families need to get to the movies. We need good
roads!
Sincerely,
Richard Forman, Executive Director
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