The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony of the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge and participate in a ceremonial march honoring the spirit of Richards' historic 1991 inaugural march to the State Capitol.
The ceremony begins 11 a.m., May 25, 2007. Members of the public who would like to participate in the ceremonial march or attend the event can access the bridge beginning at 10:30 a.m. The march will begin at the bridge’s south side at Riverside Drive and Congress Avenue and will proceed to the ceremonial stage on the north side of the bridge, just before Cesar Chavez Street.
Mayor Will Wynn will serve as the emcee and will be joined by Council Members and members of the Richards family. As part of the program, the Zilker Elementary School choir will sing a variety of Texas historical songs.
Richards was first elected to office in 1976 as a member of the Travis County Commissioners Court. Serving as Texas Treasurer in 1982, she became the first woman in more than 50 years to be elected to a statewide office. Richards served from 1991 to 1995 as Governor of Texas. She died on Sept, 13, 2006, of esophageal cancer at the age of 73. The Austin City Council officially renamed the Congress Avenue Bridge in November 2006.
