A former Danville politician who was one of the longest serving speakers of the U.S. House of Representatives could soon have Route 1 designated in his memory.
House Resolution 41, which was introduced by State Representative Mike Marron, passed out of a committee on Thursday morning. It would designate Route 1 as the “Speaker Joe Cannon Highway.”
Cannon, who was from Danville, served three stints as a member of Congress between 1873 and 1923. He was also the House Speaker from 1903 until 1911, and is the second-longest serving member in that position. One of the Congressional office buildings in Washington, D.C. is named after him, as well as Cannon Park and the now-closed Cannon School in Danville. There is also a sign honoring him across from the Vermilion County Administration Building in downtown Danville.
The measure now heads to the full state house for its approval.
