[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 12 (Thursday, January 26, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S123]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     ST. CROIX RIVER BRIDGE PROJECT

 Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
remarkable commitment of a key group of Senate staffers, who worked 
tirelessly over the last several months to ensure the passage of a 
critical bill for advancing the bipartisan St. Croix River Bridge 
Project. By replacing the outdated, 80-year-old Stillwater Lift Bridge 
with a bridge that adequately meets the needs of local businesses and 
families, this bill will promote public safety and economic development 
in communities throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
  Passing the bill was truly a team effort, requiring all hands on deck 
from lawmakers at the State, local and Federal level. We could not have 
done it without the leadership of my co-sponsors in the Senate--Al 
Franken, Ron Johnson and Herb Kohl--or our colleagues in the House from 
both Minnesota and Wisconsin. But most importantly, we could not have 
reached this important milestone without the talent and tenacity of the 
hard working people ``behind the scenes.''
  This includes the staff of the Environment and Public Works and 
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committees as well as the U.S. 
Departments of Transportation and Interior, who worked closely with my 
office. And it includes all of the hard-working members of my staff who 
logged countless long hours to ensure we had a bill that was strong, 
effective and bipartisan. Their hard work made all the difference.
  I am especially grateful to my Deputy-Legislative Director Travis 
Talvitie, who played an indispensible role every step of the way. 
Travis came into this process with a deep understanding of 
infrastructure policy, which he immediately put to work on this bill. 
When he wasn't meeting with community leaders from Stillwater and the 
St. Croix River Valley, he was coordinating with Federal agencies, and 
has become an expert on the important Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
  Thanks to the efforts of all involved, I am hopeful that Minnesota 
and Wisconsin will soon have a bridge that not only improves public 
safety and promotes economic growth, but preserves the incredible 
beauty of the St. Croix River.

                          ____________________