Week Ending Friday, August 10, 2007

Remarks Following a Tour of the Congress to cut through that paperwork and Interstate 35W Bridge Damage in to see if we can’t get this bridge rebuilt in Minneapolis, a way that not only expedites the flow of traf- August 4, 2007 fic but in a way that can stand the test of time. On behalf of the citizens of America, I I make no promises on a timetable. I do bring prayers from the American people to promise that Mary Peters, the Secretary of those who suffered loss of life as a result of Transportation, is going to be in charge of the collapse of the 35W bridge here in the this project. I do promise she’s going to listen Twin Cities. I bring the prayers of those who to the local authorities to find out what the wonder about whether they’ll ever see a folks here need. I do promise that when she loved one again. sees roadblocks and hurdles in the way of First, I want to thank the Governor and getting the job done, she’ll do everything she the mayor and the Senators, Members of the can to eliminate them. Congress for working in a coordinated way Out of these tragedies can come a better to respond to this tragedy. I have met with life. And I, having visited with the people the chief of police and the sheriff, rescue here, believe that not only are they com- workers, people who represent men and mitted to a better life, not only are they com- women who are working as hard as they pos- mitted to turning something ugly into some- sibly can to save life and to find life, to go thing good, but it’s going to happen. under these murky waters to find the facts. So I’m proud to be with you. Thank you And it’s going to take a while, but I have for your leadership. God bless the people of been impressed by not only their determina- this part of the world. Thank you. tion but have been impressed by their com- NOTE: The President spoke at 10:40 a.m. at the passion. I have met people that were on the Lower Street Anthony Falls Lock and Dam, St. bridge—I met a man who was on the bridge Paul District. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. when it collapsed. His instinct was to run to of Minnesota; Mayor R.T. Rybak a schoolbus of screaming children and to of Minneapolis, MN; Senators Norm Coleman help bring them to safety. and of Minnesota; Timothy We have an amazing country, where peo- Dolan, chief, Minneapolis Police Department, ple’s instinct, first instinct, is to help save life. MN; Richard W. Stanek, sheriff, Hennepin Coun- ty, MN; and Gary Babineau, a truckdriver from There’s—a lot of people’s first instincts here Blaine, MN, who helped rescue schoolchildren in the Twin Cities was to save the lives of trapped by the bridge collapse. somebody who was hurting. And I know the people of this community thank their fellow citizens who did that. Statement on Senate Passage of I’m here with the Secretary of Transpor- Intelligence Reform Legislation tation because our message to the Twin Cit- August 4, 2007 ies is, we want to get this bridge rebuilt as quick as possible; that we understand this is Last night the Senate passed a main artery of life here; that people count legislation to give our intelligence profes- on this bridge and this highway system to sionals the legal tools and authority they need get to work. There’s a lot of paperwork in- to keep America safe. I appreciate the hard volved with government. One of our jobs is work they did to find common ground to pass to work with the Governor and the mayor this critical bill. Today the House of Rep- and the Senators and the Members of the resentatives has an opportunity to consider 1047

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