Good morning everyone.

Thank you Doug, for that introduction.

Doug is doing a great job representing this area and serving as Chairman of the Board of Transportation.

Thank you for all you do.

We are also glad to have Congressman Burr and many local legislators with us today for this momentous occasion.

We have come here today to celebrate a man who is a shining star in this community -- a true leader in Rockingham County.

Bill Simpson has always welcomed challenges with open arms and has built a reputation for positive change.

He long realized that the best way to make a difference was through community service.

Throughout his illustrious career, he has graciously given his time to public service and has expected nothing in return.

How many of us could balance a successful career in the restaurant business; serve on 12 different boards; remain active in our church and still make time for our family like Bill has done?

Bill, you have taken time management to a new level.

Bill is clearly dedicated to his community -- his career demonstrates his commitment to helping Reidsville prosper.

His kindness is well known and his generosity is contagious.

Not only will he give a friend the shirt off his back, but when he owned the Sanitary Café he often opened the kitchen doors for the homeless.

He called his friends together before the crack of dawn every Thanksgiving morning to prepare meals for those without families or a place to live.

Bill is also a great advocate of education.

Friends say that Bill constantly encouraged his employees to continue their education by attending college so they could expand their career choices.

Saying this, I would like to mention what was probably the highlight of Bill's civic career.

Out of all the boards Bill has served on, possibly the one that touched the most lives would have to be the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges.

As Chairman of this board, he focused on improving procedures within the ranks of the community colleges to involve as many people as possible in the decision-making process.

He was also well known for his efforts to increase the diversity of people in administrative positions at the colleges.

These improvements helped improve operations in community colleges across the state.

Everyone here today agrees that Bill Simpson has gone above and beyond the call of duty to his city and state.

No question about it -- the endless hours he has spent volunteering for the community deserves recognition.

The fact that he has given so much back to this area speaks volumes about his character.

I can see why the people of Reidsville care for him so much.

It is for these reasons and many more that we want to name a section of the Southern Connector in honor of William Simpson.

He has been a key supporter of this bypass since the beginning.

Without Bill's unwavering support, the Southern Connector may have never been constructed.

Bill long recognized the value of this project to the community - as well as the state.

The Southern Connector takes motorists from southeastern Reidsville to western Reidsville allowing drivers to bypass city traffic and in the process relieves traffic inside Reidsville.

Future plans call for this new highway to connect to several industrial parks, which will not only help the city of Reidsville but the state as a whole.

One industrial park on the Southern Connector is already under construction.

Naming a section of the Connector for Bill is a fitting tribute for his many accomplishments.

From this day forward, people who access the Southern Connector will see William F. Simpson's name on this section of the highway and know that he played a critical part in making their trip possible -- and that he helped make Rockingham County a better place.

At this time, I would like to ask Bill Simpson and his two sons - Bill Jr. and Jeff to come forward and accept this replica sign in honor of his hard work and dedication.

(PRESENT HIM WITH THE SMALL REPLICA SIGN)

( MR. SIMPSON WILL GIVE REMARKS.)

(DOUG GALYON WILL CONCLUDE THE CEREMONY.)

(YOU, MR. SIMPSON AND HIS FAMILY AND OTHER PLATFORM GUESTS WILL UNVEIL THE SIGN.)