Bob Hull's Richmond Report

More Money for Roads and Rail

Yesterday, President Bush signed the new federal transportation bill at a ceremony in Illinois . It is good for Virginia .

The legislation provides a 32-percent increase in funding to the states over the last transportation bill in 1998; from $217 billion then to $286.4 billion now through 2009.

Virginia will receive increased funding for our highway, mass transit, and rail projects. The law also encourages more private sector involvement through public-private partnerships.

Among the new projects to be funded will be improvements to I-66 and new Metrorail railcars here in Northern Virginia .

For years, Virginia has been a donor state for the rest of nation in gasoline taxes. We have received less than we pay.

In 1998, the last transportation bill increased our rate of return from about 85-percent to 90.5-percent. This bill increases that to 92-percent by fiscal years 2008 and 2009.

Of course, Northern Virginia has also been a donor region in gas tax funding to the rest of the state. That is the next thing to be worked out.

Hot List

Ah, the dog days of summer! As we suffer through a typical hot, hazy, and humid summer, you may wonder how our region stacks up against others in terms of heat.

Well, Old Spice company recently came out with their top 100 list of “sweatiest cities in America.”

This is the fourth year that the makers of “Red Zone” antiperspirant have produced the list, which is based on average daily temperature and humidity levels.

This year’s list puts Washington , D.C. , and us, I assume, as the 40 th sweatiest city. Richmond ranks 37 th, Norfolk 35 th, Virginia Beach 46 th, and Roanoke 53 rd.

We are not far off from Richmond , which averaged 76-degrees of heat and 76-percent humidity last summer.

Based on that, the Old Spice researchers concluded that the average person in our state capital city lost about 2-3/4 of cups water in perspiration each day.

On the 2005 list, Phoenix came in first, Las Vegas was second, and Tucson was third. As you can see, these are all dry climate cities.

Temperature drives perspiration more than humidity, the researchers conclude. At an average 93-degrees and 18-percent humidity, they say you sweat more in Phoenix .

Well, maybe. But, what I would not give for 18-percent humidity during the summers around here.

Memorial Honor

Several weeks ago, the News-Press reported on the memorial service for Dr. Nguyen Van Bong, held at National Memorial Park Cemetery.

I was honored to have been invited to attend. I was the only public official present at the service and one of only four non-Vietnamese-Americans to attend.

Dr. Bong was a great man who came from humble origins in Vietnam , but most Americans are unaware of him.

He was assassinated in the closing days of our involvement in Vietnam just after being asked to be prime minister of a new South Vietnamese government.

Had he lived and served as prime minister, there are many who think that he might have been able to save South Vietnam .

But, he was caught in the middle. He was an honest man who did not like North Vietnamese communism and did not like South Vietnamese corruption.

He just wanted a peaceful, Democratic country in Southeast Asia . That dream has yet to be fulfilled.

Meeting Your Goals

Hearty congratulations to the Kingsley Commons U15 soccer club which recently finished fourth in a local soccer tournament.

Their finish puts them in the regional playoffs. Yet, they only started playing together this summer. I am told that the players were thrilled to play against other teams for the first time.

A little unsure of themselves at first, I understand, they got better and more efficient as the tournament went on, and they almost made a third place showing.

I am sure that it was exciting for all who participated. Not only did the inexperienced U15 team do well, but they were playing against select teams that had been together for several years.

Congratulations to group of local stars. I am sure that I join with everyone in this area in wishing them success in the regional finals.