Warner

Congress passes 'John W. Warner Rapids' bill

Date published: 9/30/2008

By RUSTY DENNEN

An act of Congress has declared a section of the Rappahannock River above the former Embrey Dam the "John W. Warner Rapids."

After passing the Senate last week, the measure was approved yesterday by the House of Representatives. Now the legislation goes to President Bush to sign.

The effort to honor Warner began in 2005, after Embrey Dam was demolished, when the rapids were unofficially named after him.

Warner, a Republican, led the effort in Washington to demolish the dam and helped secure the $10 million for the project. Removing the dam was hailed as an environmental necessity, reopening the upper Rappahannock and its tributaries to migrating fish.

The Fredericksburg-based American Canoe Association praised Warner's work, but thought he deserved more official recognition.

The association contacted Sen. Joe Lieberman's office, and a bill co-sponsored by Lieberman, I-Conn., and Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., was quickly introduced.

Last week the bill was reintroduced by Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., as Senate Bill 3055. Boxer chairs the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

That bill passed the Senate and was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. A companion bill was introduced in the House by First District Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland County.

It's more than an honorary designation.

The legislation requires that whenever the section of the Rappahannock is named or described in any federal map, regulation, document, paper or other records, it must read: "John W. Warner Rapids."

In an interview earlier this year with Style Weekly in Richmond, Warner talked about his 30-year career in the Senate, citing the removal of the Embrey Dam as his most significant legislative achievement.

Warner, who is retiring after his current term expires at the end of the year, was present in February 2004 when the dam was breached by explosives.

Rusty Dennen: 540/374-5431
Email: rdennen@freelancestar.com

Date published: 9/30/2008