WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman presented members of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce with the Congressional Record, the official proeedings of Congress, that includes remarks he delivered on the Senate floor highlighting the chamber’s support of the Future I-57 designation.

Boozman authored a provision in the Fiscal Year 2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill that enables Arkansas to designate a portion of Highway 67 in Arkansas from North Little Rock, to Walnut Ridge, as “Future I-57.” The Senate approved this bill with Boozman’s measure last week.

In a speech on the Senate floor, Boozman emphasized the support of Arkansans and the resolution of support approved by the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.

“Resolutions of support for the I-57 designation have been passed by the Newport Economic Development Commission as well as Chambers of Commerce in Bald Knob, Cabot, Jacksonville, Lawrence County, Newport, Sherwood and Searcy. Other expressions of support have been received from communities throughout the central Arkansas and northeast Arkansas regions,” Boozman said on the Senate floor.

"The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce is proud to join our fellow chambers of commerce to support the designation of I-57. We appreciate Senator Boozman’s leadership in helping improve Arkansas’s transportation network. This will boost economic development in our community and state,” Amy Mattison, CEO of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, said.

Members of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce met with Boozman in the nation’s capital during the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce Washington Fly-In. This annual event allows members to meet with Boozman and other members of the Arkansas congressional delegation to discuss economic opportunities in the community.