Government naming things after themselves

[zenkai]

http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2...er-themselves/

When it comes to politicians using your tax dollars to rename public properties after themselves, have you ever asked yourself, is America turning into Uzbekistan?

Wall Street Journal reader Alan Sechrest of Mission Viejo, Calif. was wondering the same thing, when he wrote a letter to the paper asking why Democrat Nevada Senator Harry Reid handed over $2 million of our money to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas but was happy to take credit as though he wrote the check from his personal account. The money was for beginning construction of the "UNLV Harry Reid Research and Technology Park."

Sechrest asked Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), who has been fighting against pork barrel spending in Congress, to sponsor a bill stating that no currently serving legislator or other government employee may have his or her name attached to any project paid for by taxpayer dollars.

He added if they do, then they must erect a sign that simply says: "This park was made possible by the taxpayers.

Theres one congressman whos been fighting this lonely battle against taxpayer-funded vanity projects where politicians get buildings or bridges or roads named after themselves.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Tex.) has been introducing bills since 2008 that would stop the use of your tax dollars to funds for any project or program named for any individual serving as a member of Congress, or delegate, or resident Commissioner.

But the bill sits frozen as a statue at the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, ignored.

Its pretty clear that the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) set the standard for having government property and other assets named after himself, with more than 30 public properties named after him while a sitting senator.
The joke in West Virginia is, highway drivers get lost for hours driving mindlessly around in circles on roads named after the late Senator (take Route Robert Byrd to Highway Robert Byrd to Interstate Robert Byrd.)

Here are the Congressmen who used taxpayer money to name public properties after themselves, according to Rep. McCaul, a list thats as of June 25, 2009. This is likely an incomplete list, but it's the best Rep. McCaul could do:

Sen. Robert Byrd, D-WVA: Robert C. Byrd Center for Hospitality and Tourism; Robert C. Byrd addition to the lodge at Oglebay Park, Wheeling; Robert C. Byrd Hilltop Office Complex; Robert C. Byrd Locks and Dam; Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope; Robert C. Byrd Aerospace Tech Center; Robert C. Byrd Industrial Park; Robert C. Byrd Drive, from Beckley to Sophia (Byrd's hometown); Robert C. Byrd National Technology Transfer Center at Wheeling Jesuit University; Robert C. Byrd Highway; Robert C. Byrd Federal Correctional Institution; Robert C. Byrd High School; Robert C. Byrd Freeway; Robert C. Byrd Science Center; Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center of West Virginia; Robert C. Byrd Cancer Research Center; Robert C. Byrd Technology Center at Alderson-Broaddus College

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-IA: Harkin Grants: A grant program for local school remodeling in Iowa; Harkin Wellness Grants: A grant program for promoting healthy lifestyles in Iowa; Thomas R. Harkin Global Communications Center (CDC building)

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-KY: Mitch McConnell Park in Bowling Green, KY

Sen. Arlen Specter, D-PA: Arlen Specter Headquarters and Emergency Operations Center (CDC building)

Rep. James Clyburn, D-SC: James E. Clyburn Golf Center; James E. Clyburn Pedestrian Overpass; James E. Clyburn Intermodal Transportation Center; Rep. John Dingell, D-MI; John D. Dingell Drive at new airport terminal in Detroit Metro

Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, D-NJ: Frank R. Lautenberg Rail Station in Secaucus
Rep. John Murtha, D-PA: Jack Murtha Highway, John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport

Rep. Charles Rangel, D-NY: Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service at the City College of New York, the $1.9 million in tax dollars

Sen. Harry Reid, D-N.V.: UNLV Harry Reid Research and Technology Park, $2 million earmark

Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Ala.: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
Rep. Maxine Waters, D-CA: Maxine Waters Employment Preparation Center, $1 million-dollar earmark

Rep. C.W. Young, R-FL: C.W. Young Center for Bio-Defense and Emerging Infectious Disease

Wall Street Journal editorial writer William McGurn has written about this abuse of your tax dollars. Gurn notes that these "monuments to me are a gateway to even more taxpayer abuses, because they grease the "way for fatter appropriations bills. They invite clear conflicts of interest ..even when federal funds are not used for the original naming."

He adds: At the minimum, a public park or building named for an elected official provides a huge political advertisement for an incumbenta campaign advantage paid for with the public's cash.

Gurn notes that the press release for the Frank Lautenburg project boasts that "the vast majority of funding for this station was secured as a result of Senator Lautenberg's work as Chairman and Ranking Member of the powerful Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee."

I searched for an article about this because I remember seeing a news special about this topic years ago and with Obama reverting the name of mountain I think it sheds light on a real problem. I think there should be a law where politicians cannot have things named after them until they are no longer in office and/or deceased. How egotistical can someone be on wanting something named after them anyway. things like that should be given by the people as an honor.

[Independent voter]

Senator Byrd from West Virginia was famous for this. He had a lot of stuff built in West Virginia on the taxpayer dime. West Virginia voters loved him, this was all free money coming into a very poor state. Here's a list of things named for him and his wife

Robert C. Byrd Academic and Technology Center, Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia[6][9][10]
Robert C. Byrd Academic and Technology Center, Marshall University Graduate College in South Charleston, West Virginia[9][10]
Robert C. Byrd Auditorium, National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia[9][10][11]
Robert C. Byrd Biotechnology Science Center, Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia[6][9][10][12][13]
Robert C. Byrd Cancer Research Laboratory, West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia[6][9][10]
Robert C. Byrd Center for Legislative Studies, Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia[9][10][14]
Robert C. Byrd Center for Pharmacy Education, University of Charleston in Charleston, West Virginia[9][10]
Robert C. Byrd Center for Rural Health, Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia[6][9]
Robert C. Byrd Clinical Teaching Center, Charleston Area Medical Center Memorial Hospital in Charleston, West Virginia[9][10]
Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope, Green Bank, West Virginia[6][9][10]
Robert C. Byrd Hardwood Technologies Center, Princeton, West Virginia[6][9][10]
Robert C. Byrd Health and Wellness Center, Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia[9][10]
Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia[6][9][10]
Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center Charleston Division, Charleston, West Virginia[9]
Robert C. Byrd High School, Clarksburg, West Virginia[6][9][15]
Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing (RCBI) Bridgeport Manufacturing Technology Center, Bridgeport, West Virginia[9][10][16]
RCBI Charleston Manufacturing Technology Center, South Charleston, West Virginia[6][9][10][16]
RCBI Huntington Manufacturing Technology Center, Huntington, West Virginia[9][10][16]
RCBI Rocket Center Manufacturing Technology Center, Rocket Center, West Virginia[9][10][16][17]
Robert C. Byrd Institute for Composites Technology and Training Center, Bridgeport, West Virginia[9]
Robert C. Byrd Library, Wheeling, West Virginia[9]
Robert C. Byrd Library and Robert C. Byrd Learning Resource Center, University of Charleston in Beckley[6][9][10]
Robert C. Byrd Life Long Learning Center, Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College in Moorefield, West Virginia[9]
Robert C. Byrd Life Long Learning Center, West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia[10]
Robert C. Byrd Metals Fabrication Center, Rocket Center, West Virginia[9][10][17]
Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center, Bridgeport, West Virginia (affiliated with Fairmont State University)[9][10]
Robert C. Byrd National Technology Transfer Center, Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, West Virginia[6][9][18]
Robert C. Byrd Regional Training Institute, Camp Dawson near Kingwood, West Virginia[9]
Robert C. Byrd Science and Technology Center, Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia[6][9][10]
Robert C. Byrd Technology Center, Alderson–Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia[6][9][10]
Robert C. Byrd United Technical Center[6][10]
Robert C. Byrd Hilltop Office Complex, Rocket Center, West Virginia[6][9][10][17]
Robert C. Byrd Industrial Park, Moorefield, West Virginia[6][9][10]
Robert C. Byrd Community Center, Pine Grove, West Virginia[6][9][10]
Robert C. Byrd Community Center, Sugar Grove, West Virginia[6][10]
Robert C. Byrd Rooms, Office of the West Virginia Senate Minority Leader, West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston, West Virginia[9]
Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse and Federal Building, Beckley, West Virginia[6][9][10]
Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse and Federal Building, Charleston, West Virginia[6][9][10]
Robert C. Byrd Federal Correctional Institution, Hazelton, West Virginia[6][10]
Robert C. Byrd Clinic, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, West Virginia[6][9][10]
Robert C. Byrd Clinical Addition to Veteran's Hospital, Huntington, West Virginia[6][9][10]
Robert C. Byrd Addition to the Lodge at Oglebay Park, Wheeling, West Virginia[6][9][10]
Robert C. Byrd Conference Center (also known as the Robert C. Byrd Center for Hospitality and Tourism), Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, West Virginia[6][9][10]
Robert C. Byrd Visitor Center, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia[6][9][10]
The Robert C. Byrd Bridge crossing the Ohio River between Huntington, West Virginia and Chesapeake, Ohio.Robert C. Byrd Appalachian Highway System, Appalachian Development Highway System in West Virginia[9][10][19]
Robert C. Byrd Bridge, crosses the Ohio River between Huntington, West Virginia and Chesapeake, Ohio[6][9][10][19]
Robert C. Byrd Bridge, Ohio County, West Virginia[19]
Robert C. Byrd Drive, West Virginia Routes 16 and 97 between Beckley and Sophia, West Virginia[6][10]
Robert C. Byrd Expressway, United States Route 22 near Weirton, West Virginia[6][9][10]
Robert C. Byrd Freeway, United States Route 119 between Williamson and Charleston, West Virginia (also known as Corridor G)[6][9]
Robert C. Byrd Highway, United States Route 48 between Weston, West Virginia and the Virginia state line near Wardensville, West Virginia (also known as Corridor H)[6][19]
Robert C. Byrd Interchange on Interstate 77[9]
Robert C. Byrd Interchange on United States Route 19, Birch River, West Virginia[9][19]
Robert C. Byrd Intermodal Transportation Center, Wheeling, West Virginia[9][10]
Robert C. Byrd Locks and Dam, Ohio River in Gallipolis Ferry, West Virginia[6][9][10]
The Erma Byrd Higher Education Center at Concord University's Beckley Campus in Beaver, West Virginia.
The following places are named after Robert Byrd's wife, Erma Ora Byrd:
Erma Byrd Biomedical Research Center, West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia[9][10][20]
Erma Ora Byrd Center for Educational Technologies, Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, West Virginia[10][20]
Erma Ora Byrd Clinical Center, Marshall University School of Medicine in Huntington, West Virginia[9]
Erma Ora Byrd Conference and Learning Center, Rocket Center, West Virginia[17][21]
Erma Byrd Eastern Panhandle Health Professions Center, Martinsburg, West Virginia[9][10]
Erma Byrd Gallery, University of Charleston in Charleston, West Virginia[9]
Erma Byrd Garden, Graceland Mansion in Elkins, West Virginia[20]
Erma Ora Byrd Hall, Department of Nursing Education, Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia[9]
Erma Byrd Higher Education Center, Concord University Beckley Campus in Beaver, West Virginia[9][10][22]

[Kalis]

Rep. C.W. Young, R-FL: C.W. Young Center for Bio-Defense and Emerging Infectious Disease

Not sure why anyone would want their name linked in the public consciousness with emerging infectious diseases.