MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Capps

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE MISSISSIPPI TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONERS TO DESIGNATE THE GREAT RIVER BRIDGE AS THE CHARLES W. DEAN BRIDGE.

WHEREAS, Charles William Dean, a professional engineer from Cleveland, Mississippi, conceived the first serious idea in 1984 for a bridge across the Mississippi River at Rosedale; and

WHEREAS, as Co-Chairman of the Arkansas-Mississippi Great River Bridge Authority, Charles Dean further developed his idea of the Great River Bridge working closely with leaders from Arkansas and Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, when the Interstate 69 project began in the mid-nineties, Charles Dean realized that the Great River Bridge would be the ideal Mississippi River crossing for Interstate 69; and

WHEREAS, Charles Dean became involved in the promotion of the construction of Interstate 69 and he served on the Board of Directors of the I-69 Coalition; and

WHEREAS, during his lifetime in his career as a professional engineer, Charles Dean specialized in river ports, drainage, municipal public works, airports, highways, railroads, industrial parks and long-range planning; and

WHEREAS, because of his dedication to his profession, his community, his state and his country, the Legislature declares that it would be a fitting tribute to the life and works of an exemplary Mississippian and most appropriate to name the Great River Bridge the Charles W. Dean Bridge:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby memorialize the Mississippi Department of Transportation and the Mississippi Transportation Commissioners to designate the Great River Bridge on Interstate 69 as the Charles W. Dean Bridge and that appropriate memorials at appropriate locations be erected at each end of such bridge.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the Mississippi Transportation Commissioners, the I-69 Coalition, the Arkansas-Mississippi Great River Bridge Authority, the family of Charles W. Dean and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.