Winner of Hwy 80 Contest Announced! Highway 80 - The Heartland Highway
The Longview News Journal ran a 3 part series in advance of the historic U.S. 80 Hi-Way Sale on October 17th-19th. The idea for the contest arose during the interviews by the newspaper for the series because U.S. 80, unlike the more celebrated Route 66, doesn't enjoy any name of endearment such as 'The Mother Road,' or, 'America's Main Street.'
There were several great suggestions including 'The Big 8 0', 'Coast to Coast with the Most.' A panel of three including myself, Longview News-Journal Marketing Director Lynda David and Staff Reporter, Glen Evans finally landed on a suggestion from Longview Resident, Karen Maines. Her suggestion, 'The Heartland Highway' will be used in advertising for next year's sale.
A request was also forwarded to U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, who represents the portion of the U.S. 80, to request that the U.S. House of Representatives adopt the phrase for the country's first coast to coast all weather highway. He is favorably considering the request, his office reported. 'Rep. Gohmert said he is pleased to help recognize the highway as The Heartland Highway,' Laura Mszar, spokeswoman for Gohmert, wrote the newspaper in an email. 'And our staff is currently looking into the steps that need to be taken to do this.'
A special thanks to all of submitted suggestions for the name and to Karen Maines for the winning entry.
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