REMARKS FOR
THE HONORABLE MARY PETERS

I-35 BRIDGE RE-OPENING CEREMONY
MINNEAPOLIS, MN

SEPTEMBER 15, 2008
11:00 a.m.

Thank you, Governor Pawlenty. And before I start, I’d like to take a moment to recognize that many thoughts and prayers today are with those dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ike and the terrible train accident in California on Friday. And just as we were committed to recovery in Minneapolis, so will we be committed to those along the Gulf Coast and in L.A.

Today, I would like to recognize Federal Highway Administrator Tom Madison, whose team did a remarkable job making this new bridge a reality in such a short amount of time.

I also need to recognize Commissioner Sorel. As our Federal Highway Division Administrator for Minnesota last year, Tom worked tirelessly to coordinate our response and help get work on this new bridge started.

I’m here today on behalf of the President and Vice President, whose thoughts and prayers continue to be with the loved ones of those who died on this bridge last year, and whose admiration goes to all who helped build this magnificent new bridge.

A little over a year ago, I came to the Twin Cities, almost to this exact location, to survey the loss and devastation from last summer’s tragic bridge collapse. The scene was heartbreaking, the damage incalculable.

Like everybody standing here today—like every Minnesotan and every American—we won’t forget the tragedy that happened here. But looking out over the Mississippi River, the view is much different today.

President Bush meant what he said when he traveled to this site in the days following the collapse to dedicate the resources and personnel of the federal government to the recovery and reconstruction effort.

This structure represents exactly what can be done in record time when federal, state and local governments unite in their purpose and are clear in their goals.

It shouldn’t take a tragedy to build a bridge this fast in America. But now that it has, it would be a travesty if we didn’t share the secrets of this Minnesota Marvel nationwide.

The workers who helped construct this amazing feat of engineering are to be commended on a job well done. Indeed, I last visited this site in July, and the progress made over the past eight weeks alone is simply stunning.

Getting this bridge built, and getting it built quickly, helps us to heal a wound. But it will never heal the pain from last August.

So it is fitting that we remember those we lost. And it is proper that we applaud those who have given so much sweat and passion to build this new bridge.

But the most important thing we can do to honor the lives lost, the families wounded and the workers exhausted is to prevent another such tragedy.

These lanes will forever be sacred because of the 13 people who lost their lives here. Nothing we say can make that more of a reality. And nothing we do can ever take that away.

But our continued actions can make sure the correct lessons are learned, and the right remedies are taken to ensure that no one ever has to worry or wonder when they cross a bridge in America.

So I make this pledge to each of you today: with all my energy and attention, I will continue to do my part to make sure we never have to suffer through another tragedy like the one this community faced so bravely last year.

Thank you.

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