Somehow you have to believe this year's birthday gift would have pleased Speaker Sam Rayburn in a very special way.
A ceremony Tuesday morning north of Bonham will unveil a sign officially declaring State Highway 121 as Sam Rayburn Memorial Highway. One sign is already in place for drivers to see as they enter Fannin County from Collin County.
"This is a very symbolic way to honor Sam Rayburn," explained Dr. Patrick Cox, Assistant Director for the Center for American History at the University of Texas. "Sam Rayburn understood how important the infrastructure of America was to ensure quality of life for all people. Highways, education, electricity and health care were all cornerstones of Sam Rayburn's vision for a democratic society."
Dr. Cox, along with Fannin County Judge Butch Henderson, Friends of Sam Rayburn vice-president Malda Kueckelhan and Bonham Mayor Roy Floyd welcomed the crowd attending Speaker Rayburn's 126th birthday party Monday evening at the Sam Rayburn Library Museum in Bonham.
"We began this project a year ago," Mrs. Kueckelhan said in regard to an effort by the Friends of Sam Rayburn to have signs honoring the Speaker placed along the highway Mr. Rayburn was so instrumental in bringing to North Texas.
"We felt Hwy. 121 should be designated as Sam Rayburn Memorial Highway and we discussed this matter with Fannin County Judge Butch Henderson. Judge Henderson really got the ball rolling."
"Fannin County Commissioners Court was proud to support this project," Judge Henderson remarked.
Judge Henderson then approached Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) regarding the name change and TxDOT advised the Fannin County Commissioners Court to pass a resolution declaring Hwy. 121 to be Sam Rayburn Memorial Highway.
On September 10, 2007, Fannin County Commissioners voted unanimously to install signs that designate the portion of Hwy 121 in Fannin County as Sam Rayburn Memorial Highway.
"Sam Rayburn wasn't just important to Fannin County, but to our nation," Judge Henderson said in closing. "We can take great pride in the fact he is a native son."
