Unveiling of signs set for April 29, in New Haven
New Haven, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Fort Wayne District announces that at 1 p.m., April 29, 2014, U.S. 24 will be designated the “Phyllis J. Pond Memorial Highway,” – from U.S. 30 east of New Haven to the Indiana/Ohio State Line. The unveiling will take place at the Orchid Reception Hall located at 11508 Lincoln Highway East, New Haven, IN, 46774. INDOT will unveil one of the two signs at the event, and will have previously erected the remaining sign earlier that day.
During the 2014 General Assembly, a concurrent resolution was passed to name an 11-mile portion of the new U.S. 24 after the late Rep. Phyllis J. Pond, who passed away in September 2013. Rep. Pond was a strong advocate for the now-complete U.S. 24-Fort to Port Highway project that was designed to improve access, safety, and promote economic growth from Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Toledo, Ohio.
“This is such a fitting memorial for Representative Pond. She always demonstrated great passion for the U.S. 24- Fort to Port project and the enhanced safety it provided for her constituents and the traveling public,” said former Legislator Bob Alderman and INDOT LaPorte District Deputy Commissioner.
During the event, the resolution will be presented to George Pond, husband of Rep. Phyllis Pond.
Among her accomplishments, Rep. Pond was elected to the House of Representatives in 1978 and was the longest-serving female representative in state history at 35 years. In 1984, Rep. Pond received the state’s highest award, The Sagamore of the Wabash, by former Gov. Robert Orr. She also taught kindergarten in New Haven for 37 years.
The George Pond family — son, Bill, and wife, Cami, of Fort Wayne; son, Doug Pond, of Indianapolis; and daughter, Jean Pond Grasmick, of Indianapolis, and grandchildren — invite the public to join them at the special event.
