Austin City Council To Rename Congress Avenue Bridge For Late Ann Richards

The Austin City Council is expected to consider renaming the Congress Avenue Bridge for former Texas Governor Ann Richards, who passed away earlier this year.

The bridge would be renamed the “Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge.”

The bridge is the one Richards crossed as part of her inaugural parade in 1991.

Austin Mayor Will Wynn had kind words to say concerning Richards and the renaming, as did other council members:

“Ann Richards was my friend, an advisor, and an inspiration,” said Mayor Will Wynn. “Ann always worked to bridge the divides that separated people and I think it is very fitting that we honor her memory by naming the bridge where she began her inaugural parade in 1991, particularly knowing that we frequently refer to Congress Avenue as the ‘Main Street’ of Texas.”

“I once heard Ann Richards described as ‘fluid as water but hard as diamonds,’ and it’s true. She moved from state house to board room with ease and grace, and as she continued to shatter glass ceilings, she never lost sight of her social responsibility,” said council member Mike Martinez. “Ann Richards’ life was the stuff of legend and icon, our small gesture today is the least we can do to remember her legacy.”

“Governor Richards taught me a valuable lesson in politics and life: stand up, be noticed, give others an opportunity to participate, never give up, and make life count by making a difference. I thank our late governor for the ‘big wisdom’ she shared with me. I’m doing my best to live up to her words,” council member Gail Kim said.

Richards, who was fist elected to public office in 1976 as a Travis County Commissioner became the state’s second female governor in 1991.