SCENIC ROADS AND PARKWAYS 245 



to see our country and to enjoy its scenic attractions, natural beauty, 

 and points of cultural and historical significance. 



Col. J. LESTER WHITE. The Mississippi River Parkway Commis- 

 sion with the cooperation of the National Park Service and the U.S. 

 Bureau of Public Roads, sponsored and brought into being the 

 longest parkway in the world, namely, the Great River Road. This 

 twin parkway, both sides of the Mississippi River and generally 

 parallel thereto, is 5,600 miles long and extends from Canada to 

 the Gulf. It is the only international parkway as it includes two 

 Canadian provinces where the Great River Road encircles the Lake 

 of the Woods. 



The Great River Road, through the heartland of North America, 

 serves upwards of 50 million people (1960 census) plus the millions 

 of tourists who come to the beautiful Mississippi Valley. 



The Commission commends President Johnson for his message 

 on a beautiful America, which has been the objective of the Com- 

 mission since 1938, for the 1 Mississippi Valley States. 



My questions are directed to panelist Senator Nelson, of Wiscon- 

 sin, as follows : 



Will the impetus and the impact of this great Conference result in 

 sufficient Federal legislation to complete scenic easement purchases 

 and general roadside beautification of the Great River Road project? 



Should separate bills be continued to be submitted for the respec- 

 tive parkways? You will remember for example, Senator Nelson, 

 the Senate hearing directed by you May 22, 1964, Senate Subcom- 

 mittee on Public Roads on the Humphrey Bill, S. 1672. Despite 

 favorable comment thereon no action was taken because of the 

 impending over-all scenic parkway study. 



Will sufficient State and Federal funds be forthcoming (and 

 when?) for the Great River Road now in existence, marked with 

 the Great River Road emblem and traveled throughout its entire 

 length? 



Such funds are needed for the purchase of scenic easements, de- 

 velopment of roadside parks and rest areas, the restoration of his- 

 toric sites and general beautification. 



Only by traveling the Great River Road along the mighty Missis- 

 sippi can its beauties be fully realized and appreciated. 



NORMAN WILLIAMS, JR. Some of the discussion in this panel 

 exhibited the familiar tendency to regard zoning as a catch-all and 



