[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 15 (Monday, April 16, 2001)]
[Page 589]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Repairing the Daniel Webster Hoan Bridge in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

April 6, 2001

    How are you all today? It's good to be here. I'm pleased to be here 
with Governor McCallum and the mayor of Milwaukee; Secretary Mineta and 
Secretary Thompson, former Governor of the great State of Wisconsin.
    I'm looking forward to tossing out the first ball today. I haven't 
decided if I'm going to go with a rising fastball, a split-finger, or a 
breaking pitch. [Laughter] But nevertheless, it's going to be a great 
honor to be there. Miller Park will be a proud part of Milwaukee's 
landscape.
    But there is another key structure that is an important part of the 
life of this city, the Daniel Webster Hoan Bridge. For the last several 
months, a lot of effort has gone into helping repair the Hoan Bridge. 
But the job is not yet complete. So I'm here to tell the good people of 
Milwaukee that fixing the Hoan Bridge is a priority of my 
administration.
    I've brought along the Secretary of Transportation here to identify 
the quickest way to rebuild this critical artery for Milwaukee. The Hoan 
Bridge is eligible for funding from the Department of Transportation. We 
look forward to partnering with the State of Wisconsin to complete the 
rebuilding of the Hoan Bridge.
    Today Secretary Mineta and I have received an application for 
Federal funds from the Governor of Wisconsin, and I plan to make this 
project an important priority. Almost 100,000 people live in areas 
directly served by the Hoan Bridge, and because of its limited capacity 
and weight restrictions, many commuters and shippers must find alternate 
routes.
    We are committed to helping Wisconsin take care of this problem. 
Secretary Mineta and I recognize that maintaining the infrastructure of 
our cities is a vital role for government. I'm glad we can be of 
assistance to the citizens of Wisconsin.
    Thank you very much. See you at the ballpark.

Note: The President spoke at 5:08 p.m. at General Mitchell International 
Airport. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Scott McCallum of Wisconsin 
and Mayor John O. Norquist of Milwaukee. This item was not received in 
time for publication in the appropriate issue.