S. 3 moved through the House of Representatives quickly. It was reported by the House Committee on Public Works, chaired by George H. Fallon (D-MD), on February 17, 1965. On February 26, 1965, Fallon sent this telegram to North Carolina Governor Dan K. Moore urging him “to take immediate action” to line up congressional support for the bill. Similar telegrams were sent to all the other Appalachian state governors. S. 3 passed the House on a 257 to 165 roll call vote on March 3 and was the first significant Great Society legislation to pass the Eighty-ninth Congress. On March 9, President Johnson signed into law the Appalachia Regional Development Act of 1965.

Fallon, George Hyde, 1902-1980. "Telegram from Representative George Fallon to Governor Dan Moore." Telegram from Representative George Fallon to Governor Dan Moore, February 26, 1965; “S. 3 (2 of 2)” folder, Box 20; House Committee on Public Works; 89th Congress; Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, RG 233; National Archives.. Accessed 27 March 2023. http://acsc.lib.udel.edu/items/show/53.