[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 130 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 35W BRIDGE COLLAPSE DISASTER MEMORIAL

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                            HON. JIM RAMSTAD

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 1, 2008

  Mr. RAMSTAD. Madam Speaker, I rise to take a moment to remember the 
tragic event that occurred 1 year ago today when an eight-lane bridge 
on Highway 35-W in downtown Minneapolis collapsed and took the lives of 
13 people.
  No Minnesotan will ever forget the night of August 1st. No Minnesotan 
will ever forget the horrifying image of the school bus, barely hanging 
onto the edge of a piece of concrete. We all wondered how many children 
were on the bus and how they could be rescued.
  But all those children made it off the bus to safety, thanks to the 
kindness of strangers. And that is what people will remember the most--
the brave first responders and ordinary men and women who risked their 
lives to save others.
  Madam Speaker, our thoughts and prayers are still with the victims 
and their families, and we must do everything possible to assure a 
tragedy like this will never happen again.
  Minnesota has done a lot this year to improve the quality of its 
infrastructure. I am proud to say that after a year of hard work and 
dedication, the bridge is expected to re-open in 2 months, ahead of 
schedule.
  Madam Speaker, my deepest gratitude goes to my colleagues who 
responded so quickly during Minnesota's time of need, and to every 
person who responded to this disaster, saving lives, caring for the 
injured, comforting victims and their families and making our bridge 
whole again.




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