[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 7]
[House]
[Pages 10358-10362]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  STAN MUSIAL VETERANS MEMORIAL BRIDGE

  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2383) to designate the new Interstate 
Route 70 bridge over the Mississippi River connecting St. Louis, 
Missouri, and southwestern Illinois as the ``Stan Musial Veterans 
Memorial Bridge''.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2383

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. STAN MUSIAL VETERANS MEMORIAL BRIDGE.

       (a) Designation.--The new Interstate Route 70 bridge over 
     the Mississippi River that connects St. Louis, Missouri, to 
     southwestern Illinois shall be known and designated as the 
     ``Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     bridge referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a 
     reference to the ``Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. 
Bustos) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and 
extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 2383.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 2383, to name the new I-70 bridge 
that connects St. Louis and southwestern Illinois as the ``Stan Musial 
Veterans Memorial Bridge.'' I introduced this legislation, along with 
my colleague Bill Enyart, as well as Ann Wagner, John Shimkus, Lacy 
Clay, Dan Lipinski, Aaron Schock, Emanuel Cleaver, Sam Graves, Vicky 
Hartzler, Randy Hultgren, Adam Kinzinger, Billy Long, Blaine 
Luetkemeyer, and Jason Smith.
  Today marks a bipartisan opportunity to honor all of America's heroes 
as well as a legend of America's national pastime. Nearly 1.3 million 
of America's 21 million veterans live in Illinois and Missouri. Naming 
this bridge that links these two States is another way we can honor the 
brave men and the brave women who have served our country.
  Whether it's coming together to pass critical veterans funding 
measures, just like 420 of my colleagues and I did earlier this month 
on this very floor, or recognizing our veterans by naming this bridge, 
this body has shown it can come together in support of our veterans.
  This bill would also honor the legacy of Stan Musial. Mr. Speaker, 
the St. Louis Cardinals are one of the most storied and successful 
first-rate franchises in sports history, and the best

[[Page 10359]]

player to ever don a St. Louis Cardinals uniform was Stan ``the Man'' 
Musial.
  Born in Donora, Pennsylvania, in 1920, Stan Musial lived an amazing, 
inspiring life. On the field, he was a 24-time All-Star, a three-time 
World Series champion, three-time National League MVP, and a first-
ballot Hall of Famer. He finished his career as a .331 hitter; and he 
was consistent, earning 1,815 hits at home and 1,815 hits on the road.
  During his 22-year major league career spanning 3,026 games, he was 
never ejected by an umpire. These lessons in consistency and 
sportsmanship not only serve as a good reminder to Congress, but they 
are also attributes that I try to impart upon my sons and their 
teammates as the coach of their Little League baseball team in 
Taylorville, Illinois.
  Off the field, Stan Musial led by example. In 1945, in the prime of 
his career, Stan took a year off from baseball to go serve his country 
in World War II. Stan served in the Navy and was based at Pearl Harbor 
as part of a ship repair unit.
  There was more to Stan Musial than being an outstanding athlete who 
also served his country. He and his high school sweetheart, Lillian, 
were married more than 70 years and had four children. He also served 
as chairman for President Johnson's Council on Physical Fitness and 
Sports; and in 2011, Stan was given this country's highest civilian 
honor: the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
  My first favorite player, Hank Aaron, a Hall of Famer, sums it up 
best when he said:

       I didn't just like Stan Musial; I wanted to be like Stan 
     Musial.

  As an individual, Stan will be remembered as kind, modest, generous, 
and approachable. As an ambassador, Stan meant more to the game of 
baseball and St. Louis than he was ever willing to take credit for.
  Today, let's honor our veterans and Stan ``the Man'' Musial. I urge 
all my colleagues to support H.R. 2383, and I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mrs. BUSTOS. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2383, to designate the 
new Interstate 70 bridge over the Mississippi River connecting Illinois 
and St. Louis as the ``Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge''--or the 
``Stan Span,'' as many affectionately call it.
  This bill names the bridge in honor of one of the greatest players in 
baseball history, as well as the millions of brave Americans who have 
served this country in the Armed Forces. Naming the bridge after Mr. 
Musial and saluting the millions of Americans who have served in our 
Armed Forces is a fitting tribute to their bravery and sacrifice.
  Few players have contributed more to America's pastime than Stan 
Musial. In his 22 seasons in major league baseball playing for the St. 
Louis Cardinals, Stan the Man was selected to the All-Star game a 
record 24 times, named the National League's Most Valuable Player three 
times, and played on three World Series championship title teams. 
Musial was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969 on the first 
ballot.
  Moreover, Stan Musial's contributions go well beyond the baseball 
diamond. Like many of his generation, Mr. Musial served our country 
during World War II. During his tour of duty in the Navy, Musial joined 
with more than 16 million other Americans to serve our Nation as 
members of the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. In retirement, 
Stan Musial contributed his time to causes such as the USO, the Senior 
Olympics, and the Boy Scouts, and served as chairman of the President's 
Council on Physical Fitness from 1964 to 1967.
  Stan Musial received the Navy Memorial's Lone Sailor Award in 2007. 
It honors Navy veterans who excel in their civilian careers while 
exemplifying the Navy's core values of honor, courage, and commitment. 
In February 2011, President Obama presented Stan Musial with the 
Presidential Medal of Honor. That's the highest honor bestowed on a 
civilian in America.
  My personal appreciation of Stan Musial goes way back to my 
childhood, growing up in Springfield, Illinois. Our family would make 
regular car trips every summer to Busch Stadium to cheer on our beloved 
Cardinals. When we weren't able to make it to games in person, we would 
listen to them on KMOX radio back home. I still remember the voices of 
Jack Buck and Harry Caray, who then would go on to announce for the 
Cubs.
  I also fondly remember waiting around Busch Stadium after the games 
with my brother, my sister, and my mom and dad just to catch a glimpse 
of some of the Cardinal greats like Curt Flood. We loved watching Lou 
Brock run the bases. We loved watching Bob Gibson pitch.
  And we just loved baseball so much that, later in his life, my dad 
would go on to work for Major League Baseball. I'm proud to say that my 
brother, Dan Callahan, would be the head coach of Southern Illinois 
University baseball for 16 seasons, until he passed away a couple of 
years ago from cancer. As you see, my family's bond with greater St. 
Louis, the Cardinals, and baseball is a strong one.
  This bill does not just recognize the contributions of one man, but, 
rather, it salutes the service of all our veterans. Stan Musial was a 
hero to many, not just for the way he played baseball, but for how he 
lived his life. Like so many of the heroes who have served this Nation 
in our military, he lived his life with integrity and with honor. 
Naming this bridge in honor of Stan Musial and all veterans is a symbol 
of our gratitude for the sacrifices they made to protect our freedoms.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2383, to dedicate 
this bridge in honor of Stan the Man Musial and all the men and women 
who have served our Nation in the Armed Forces. We are proud to 
remember and honor all they endured for our democracy and to safeguard 
our democracy.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1710

  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I'd first like to thank my 
colleague and my good friend from Illinois (Mrs. Bustos) for her kind 
comments, and also for honoring her father's service to Major League 
Baseball and her brother's service to the youth and to the students at 
Southern Illinois University during his time there as a head baseball 
coach.
  I now wish to yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. 
Wagner).
  Mrs. WAGNER. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of veterans, and one veteran in 
particular, one of St. Louis' all-time heroes, Stan Musial.
  Stan the Man Musial is best known as the greatest player in St. Louis 
Cardinals history, winner of three World Series as a player and one 
more as general manager, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, and as 
one of the greatest players to ever play our beloved national pastime.
  However, Stan Musial was also a great patriot. He temporarily left 
the St. Louis Cardinals during the Second World War to serve his 
country in the Navy. Stan and the Cardinals had just won the 1944 World 
Series when Stan left to serve during the war. And after the war, he 
returned to his beloved St. Louis Cardinals to bring home yet another 
World Series Championship in 1946.
  His athleticism and his greatness as a player are self-evident. His 
3,630 hits are the fourth-highest in baseball history. Stan is also one 
of only seven players to hit 400 home runs and have over 3,000 hits.
  A model of consistency, Stan Musial could hit a baseball anywhere he 
was, home or away, finishing his career with 1,815 hits at home and 
1,815 hits on the road. A former teammate described Stan's tremendous 
talent like this: ``He could have hit 300 with a fountain pen.''
  Those who had the privilege to see Stan Musial play baseball swear 
that he was the greatest player they ever saw put on a St. Louis 
Cardinals uniform. Yet Stan the Man stood for something more than his 
two decades

[[Page 10360]]

of sustained excellence in baseball--he was an exemplary human being.
  To baseball fans around the country, Stan Musial represented 
perfection as a ballplayer and as a gentleman. But to those of us from 
St. Louis, he represented so much more; he was our neighbor and he was 
our friend.
  There has never been a better representative of the Cardinals or 
baseball--or, for that matter, humanity--than Stan Musial. Carrying 
himself with dignity, Stan was always willing to sign an autograph and 
meet fans, or do anything to help a friend in need.
  I recently asked constituents to share some of their Stan Musial 
memories with me. And while many of them remember watching him play 
baseball, it was his kindness and his humility that set him apart. One 
constituent told me that as a child he lived in the same neighborhood 
as Stan Musial. Stan would play baseball with him and other 
neighborhood kids during the off-season.
  Many from St. Louis remember Stan going out of his way to sign 
autographs for young fans or lend his good name to charitable and civic 
events. Others remember his visits to St. Louis hospitals and the joy 
that he brought to both the patients and the staff. But all remember 
that he was a happy and a joyful person who made you feel better and 
made you want to be a better person just by being in his presence.
  After he retired from baseball, Stan Musial came to nearly every 
Cardinals Opening Day because he felt it was his duty to be there for 
the city and the team that gave so much to him. And each year at the 
induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Stan would play ``Take Me Out 
to the Ball Game'' on his harmonica. The new inductees would often 
mention Stan playing the harmonica as one of their favorite moments 
during the induction weekend.
  The best description of Stan was rendered by former baseball 
commissioner, Ford C. Frick: ``Here stands baseball's perfect warrior. 
Here stands baseball's perfect knight.'' These words adorn the statue 
of Stan Musial that sits outside Busch Stadium in St. Louis city.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be a part of this bill that names the I-
70 bridge after Stan Musial and our veterans. I urge my colleagues to 
support this bill as a lasting tribute to Stan the Man and all those 
who have served our country so honorably.
  Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Enyart).
  Mr. ENYART. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2383, a compromise measure to 
name an extraordinary structure in honor of extraordinary heroes.
  Today, I'm proud to join my colleagues in bridging a great divide--
not the aisle here in the House dividing Democrats from Republicans, 
but a divide that is sometimes even wider, the mighty Mississippi River 
between Illinois and Missouri.
  Today, in the spirit of compromise, we come together to honor people 
we hold dear and to recognize the values that make them special to us 
in both Illinois and Missouri, regardless of our politics or which side 
of the river we call home.
  For millions of baseball fans in mid-America, Stan Musial is a hero. 
Stan spent a career accumulating Major League records and World Series 
rings while playing for the St. Louis Cardinals. But he was much more 
than one of the best baseball players to have ever played the game. No, 
to us in the region, he epitomized what it meant to be a resident of 
mid-America. He worked hard; he achieved success with humility; he was 
always a gentleman.
  In a time when society too often glorifies all that is loud, showy 
and brash, Stan was the opposite. Quiet and humble, he was the textbook 
of integrity in all that he did.
  Stan the Man was a hero for another reason. That's because he wore 
only two uniforms: one for the baseball team he loved and one for the 
country he loved. I'm proud to support this bill today because it 
recognizes not only Stan Musial, but all of our Nation's veterans.
  As a veteran of two of our Nation's Armed Forces, this is a 
commitment that is very personal to me. I represent Scott Air Force 
Base, just 15 minutes from the new bridge, and I'm proud to represent a 
district that has one of the highest percentages of veterans in the 
United States.
  The people of southern Illinois have answered each and every time our 
country has called. The service and the sacrifice of our veterans and 
their families can't be taken for granted, nor can their service be 
remembered only 1 or 2 days a year. Our Nation remains a beacon of 
freedom and liberty because of that dedication and sacrifice.
  So today, I'm proud to rise in support of this measure to designate 
the new Interstate 70 bridge linking East St. Louis, Illinois, to St. 
Louis, Missouri, the ``Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge.''
  On my way to Washington, D.C., today I passed this new bridge still 
under construction. The bridge cables were gleaming in the sunlight. I 
looked out and saw dozens of my constituents hard at work on this 
structure. It's a much-needed infrastructure investment for our region 
and the country, a partnership between our States and the Federal 
Government. It's my hope that every traveler who crosses over this 
striking structure will not only read the name of that bridge, but will 
remember the values we honor with that name: hard work, integrity, 
humility, service and sacrifice. These are fitting ideals for all of 
us. And they are a fitting reason to name this bridge in honor of Stan 
Musial and in honor of all our veterans.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank my 
colleague, Mrs. Wagner, for her comments and support for this bill. I'd 
also like to thank my colleague, Mr. Enyart, for his support, and also 
for his service to our country. Thank you, sir.
  At this time, Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Luetkemeyer).
  Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a truly great 
man, a great baseball player, and a decorated veteran, Stan the Man 
Musial.
  Growing up a Cardinals fan, I recall watching Stan Musial from the 
stands of Sportsman's Park as a boy as well as sneaking my transistor 
radio into my bedroom late at night so I could listen to Cardinals 
games and my mom and dad wouldn't know I was up late.
  In 1938, Musial was signed by the Cardinals as a free agent at the 
age of 20. He led the Cardinals to a World Series victory the following 
season. In May of 1944, during the midst of World War II, Musial put 
down his bat to serve his country for 2 years in the Navy--a service 
for which he would later receive the Navy Memorial's Lone Sailor Award.

                              {time}  1720

  After serving his country, Musial went on to play for 20 more seasons 
as a Cardinal. After his 22 seasons, Musial was ranked number one in 
singles, doubles, and triples among records with a single team--all 
records he still holds to this day. He was selected to a record 24 All-
Star games and was named the National League's Most Valuable Player 
three times, winning three World Series championships with the 
Cardinals. One of Musial's most famous feats was hitting five home runs 
in 1 day during a double header. Musial was a first-ballot inductee to 
the baseball Hall of Fame in 1969. But not only was Musial a great 
Cardinal, the greatest to ever play the game in St. Louis, he was also 
a great philanthropist, an integral and valuable member of the St. 
Louis community. And for this humanitarian commitment and his athletic 
achievements, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in May 
of 2011 by President Obama.
  Though he passed away in January of 2013, Musial is remembered dearly 
in the hearts and minds of not only Cardinals fans, but also in the 
entire baseball community.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise in support of naming the I-70 
bridge after Stan the Man and in honor of all of our veterans. I urge 
Members of this House to stand with me in unwavering support of the 
Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge.

[[Page 10361]]


  Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Clay).
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bipartisan 
legislation that I am pleased to cosponsor with my colleague and 
friend, Mr. Davis, to designate the new Interstate 70 bridge over the 
Mississippi River connecting the city of St. Louis and southwestern 
Illinois as the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge.
  As the U.S. Representative who has the honor of representing the St. 
Louis Cardinals, it is a special privilege for me to speak about Stan 
Musial from the perspective of a Member of Congress, and also from the 
memory of a young boy at Old Sportsman's Park with my dad, former 
Congressman Bill Clay, as we watched Stan play near the end of his 
remarkable career.
  Stan Musial was simply one of the greatest baseball players of all 
time. As was noted earlier, he was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame 
on the first ballot, and that much is known to the world. Mr. Speaker, 
what is less known is that as good a player as he was on the field, 
Stan Musial was even a better man off of the field. In his own quiet 
way, Stan Musial was also on the vanguard of fighting discrimination 
and changing America.
  Stan was born in the small town of Donora, Pennsylvania, the fifth of 
five children. Donora is also the hometown of baseball's famous Griffey 
family.
  As a young man, Stan was no stranger to the challenges of African 
Americans and the evils of segregation. Years before the desegregation 
of baseball in 1947, Stan, a gifted athlete, was playing basketball 
with Buddy Griffey, the father of the great Ken Griffey, Sr., and the 
grandfather of the great Ken Griffey, Jr. When their high school team 
was supposed to have dinner in a segregated hotel, Stan and the rest of 
the team walked out.
  In 1947, 6 years after Stan was called up to the Cardinals, Jackie 
Robinson broke the color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Many more 
great Black and Latino players would follow. They faced racial taunts 
and threats on an almost daily basis, sometimes from the fans in the 
stands, sometimes from the opposing team, and sadly, sometimes from 
their own teammates. When some White players on the St. Louis Cardinals 
threatened to boycott the game if they were forced to play with Blacks, 
Musial stood tall for justice and stopped the boycott before it 
started.
  When Stan died, stories from those difficult days were told with 
great reverence and respect. Upon hearing of his death, Hall of Famer 
Willie Mays recalled a story from an All-Star game in the 1950s. Before 
the game, in one corner of the National League clubhouse, sat Mays, 
Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, and Frank Robinson, playing cards all by 
themselves. The White ballplayers on the National League roster either 
ignored them or were openly hostile. So Stan Musial, who by then was 
one of the biggest stars in the game, simply walked over, sat down, and 
said, ``Deal me in.'' That was his way of saying, ``Fellows, you belong 
here, it's gonna get better, and I'm glad to have you on my team.''
  When asked about his friend's passing, the great Hank Aaron, 
baseball's legitimate all-time home run king, and someone who faced 
much hateful racism himself, said this of Stan:

       I not only liked Stan Musial, I wanted to be like Stan 
     Musial.

  Two years ago, I was privileged to accompany Stan and his family to 
the White House as President Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal 
of Freedom. The President said this about Stan:

       His brilliance could come in blinding bursts--hitting five 
     home runs in a single doubleheader; leading the league in 
     singles, doubles, triples, and RBIs over a single season. 
     Stan Musial made that brilliance burn for two decades, even 
     as he missed a season in his prime to serve his country in 
     the U.S. Navy during World War II. Stan remains to this day 
     an icon untarnished, a beloved pillar of the community, a 
     gentleman you'd want your kids to emulate.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional minute.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, that is absolutely true. And soon, when 
millions of Americans cross the beautiful new bridge that will bear his 
name, I hope they will remember that Stan Musial was more than just a 
proud veteran and a great ballplayer. His life and legacy truly 
symbolize the best of the greatest generation.
  I thank my colleagues from Missouri and Illinois for supporting this 
bill.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, again, I would like to 
thank my colleague, Mr. Luetkemeyer, and my colleague, Mr. Clay. Thank 
you for your service. Thank you for the stories about Stan Musial being 
``The Man'' when it came to a difficult time in Major League history. I 
would also like to thank you for your father's service too.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to address their 
remarks to the Chair.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. At this time, Mr. Speaker, I wish to 
yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus).
  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of 
baseball's greatest heroes of all time, St. Louis' Stan Musial. Stan 
the Man was an unblemished icon both on and off the field.
  Musial's historic numbers over his 22 seasons with the St. Louis 
Cardinals make him one of the greatest to ever play the game. With 
3,630 hits, 475 home runs, 1,951 RBIs, and a lifetime .331 batting 
average, he was one of the most consistent hitters of his era. Musial's 
performance on the field earned him 24 All-Star appearances, three 
National League MVP awards, seven National League batting titles, a 
rightful place in the Hall of Fame, and three World Series 
championships for Cardinals Nation.

                              {time}  1730

  Stan the Man was immortalized in the hearts of Cardinals fans when 
his No. 6 was retired and his statue was erected outside Busch Stadium 
with a fitting quote from Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick: ``Here 
stands baseball's perfect warrior. Here stands baseball's perfect 
knight.''
  But Stan Musial was more than just an example of baseball excellence; 
he epitomized modest Midwestern values and a devout faith rarely found 
in today's age of fame and record contracts. When fellow baseball great 
Ty Cobb compared Musial to other greats and said he was better than Joe 
DiMaggio, Musial humbly replied: ``Cobb is baseball's greatest. I don't 
want to contradict him, but I can't say that I was ever as good as Joe 
DiMaggio.'' Stan Musial lived his faith through his life as a devout 
Catholic, his charitable work and his devotion to his family, with 
nearly 72 years of marriage and four children. For his lifetime of work 
and service, Stan Musial earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 
2011, as Lacy so aptly identified.
  It is fitting, as we name the I-70 bridge the ``Stan Musial Veterans 
Memorial Bridge,'' to remember his service to our Nation as well as 
that of countless other veterans in the St. Louis area and Cardinals 
Nation. Like so many other young men and women of his generation, Stan 
Musial put aside his career when he was drafted into the United States 
Navy during World War II.
  With the passing of Stan Musial, we lost a beacon of our community 
and our team, but this legislation is a fitting tribute to a player who 
will always be remembered in the hearts of Cardinals fans as ``The 
Man.''
  Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. In closing, I would like to thank 
Congresswoman Bustos for managing this bill with me today. It has been 
an honor. I would also like to thank Congressman Enyart, Congresswoman 
Wagner, Congressman Shimkus, Congressman Clay, and Congressman 
Luetkemeyer for coming to the floor today in support of H.R. 2383.
  I would also be remiss not to thank former Congressman Jerry Costello 
for his vision to turn this bridge from an idea into a reality, and I 
would like to honor him today, too, for his service to our country as a 
Member of Congress.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation so that we 
can honor

[[Page 10362]]

our veterans--and Stan the Man Musial.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong and enthusiastic 
support of H.R. 2383, which designates the portion of the new 
Interstate 70 bridge over the Mississippi River connecting St. Louis 
and southwestern Illinois as the ``Stan Musial Veterans Memorial 
Bridge.'' I support this legislation not only because it will ease 
traffic congestion and make transportation easier across state lines, 
but also because it honors a great American and one of the most beloved 
figures in the storied history of St. Louis, Missouri.
  Stan ``The Man'' Musial is a prime example of determination as seen 
through his athletic career and being named as one of the greatest 
hitters in baseball history. His athletic achievements show the 
strength and hard work he put forth in order to achieve the dreams he 
dreamt of at a young age. He not only is a baseball hero that many 
remember, but an iconic hero that gave St. Louis one of its historical 
markers. Today, we can see how the city admires this star leader with 
his proud history all over the city and the tribute made to him outside 
of the Cardinals baseball stadium.
  Not only was Stan Musial's baseball career an example of his 
determination, but his willingness to serve the country as seen through 
his service in the United States Navy reflects his notable character as 
well. Stan Musial served as a Seaman First Class (E3) and was given the 
honorable Navy Memorial's Lone Sailor Award which honors Navy veterans 
who've excelled in civilian life.
  With this notable athlete and veteran in our history, it is the least 
that can be done to name this structure as a memorial and sign of this 
great individual. This bridge will allow for easier transportation 
across the Mississippi River and allow for greater access to both 
Illinois and Missouri. With projects such as this, we will be able to 
promote growth, sustain national and international trade, as well as 
ensure that our citizens are able to take advantage of proper 
infrastructure.
  Again, I congratulate the members of the Missouri and Illinois 
delegation for brokering the compromise reflected in this legislation. 
The Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge is strong and sturdy and made 
of steel, just like Stan Musial and the veterans who risked their lives 
to keep us free.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2383.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas 
and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

                          ____________________