Building bridges for safe travel, good ideas

Here is the prepared text of U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's speech for the dedication Saturday of the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge in Cape Girardeau.

By Jo Ann Emerson

I am so happy to be here today as we begin a new chapter in the history of Southern Missouri and Southern Illinois. Thank you all for coming.

I am honored and privileged to be here today. More importantly, I am not just here as a member of Congress or as the spouse of the late congressman for whom this magnificent bridge is named. I'm here for the entire Emerson family: for Marie, who was able to cross the bridge yesterday but whose health wouldn't allow her to be here today; for Liz, Curt and Will; for Abby and Maggie; for Tori and Andy; and for Katherine.

All of the Emersons say thank you.

Thank you to Kit Bond for naming the bridge after Bill.

To the Ironworkers who did everything from reinforcing to structural steel: 13 million pounds worth.

To the concrete finishers for the skilled craftsmanship in pouring 244 million pounds of concrete.

To the carpenters and millwrights for their outstanding work in building the forms.

To the Operating Engineers for their efficient operation of heavy equipment.

To the Teamsters who drove the trucks and provided materials on a timely basis.

To the electricians who pulled the wire that will eventually light the bridge.

And to the laborers, whose valuable assistance working with the other crafts made this incredible bridge possible.

To MoDOT, who designed and supervised the entire construction project, from Paul Ebaugh to Bob Hendrix to John Oliver. To the chamber of commerce and everyone from Cape Girardeau who has made it possible to be here today. By building this bridge, you have all become even more a part of our family.

And speaking of family, I am so proud that 55 former members of the Emerson staff -- together with our current staff -- are with us today. Both bill and I have been so very fortunate to have dedicated and committed men and women with whom to work. Each of these people has, in his or her own way, made a difference in the lives of people throughout our vast congressional district.

And to Lloyd Smith, our MC here today, but more importantly the chief of staff to both Bill and me, I thank you for the remarkable contributions you have made to our state and to our country.

The great American writer John Cheever wrote a short story called "The Angel of the Bridge" about a man who has a fear of crossing them. When the afraid man in "The Angel of the Bridge" thinks, "It was at the highest point of the arc of a bridge that I became aware suddenly of the depth and bitterness of my feelings about modern life, and of the profoundness of my yearning for a more vivid, simple, and peaceable world," he realizes a lesson for us all.

Many of us have shared a similar range of emotions since the idea for this bridge was first born.

We are here today to embrace our modern life. We are here to mark the beginning of a more vivid, simple, and peaceable world for our communities, ourselves, and our children. Like the man crossing the bridge in the story, we each must face fears and then overcome them.

On a bridge, you cannot see the foundation of the road you travel. You are surrounded by sky, and you have a majestic view of the river and its banks. But the foundation of the structure, directly beneath you, is unseen. Cheever reminds us that crossing a bridge is an exercise in faith.

The story is about the difficulty of getting from a problem to its solution, from an idea to a new reality, from despair to faith. By the grace of God, we will live to cross this bridge many, many times.

Building a bridge is an exercise in faith too.

Our beautiful new bridge is a symbol that this region is continuing to grow. For Cape Girardeau, the bridge signals our entry into a new century of transportation, commerce and ideas. For me, the bridge is a testament to what men and women can do when faced with daunting odds and seemingly insurmountable challenges.

This structure would not be possible without the ironworkers, steelworkers and skilled laborers who assembled the 13 million pounds of reinforcing steel, nearly 244 million pounds of concrete, and 171 miles of cable. It would not be possible without the patient advocacy of state, local and federal leaders.

Today is the proud result of their combined efforts.

My late husband, Bill Emerson, built bridges of a different kind. He connected good ideas with the people who could make them work. He inspired his constituents and colleagues. He put Americans in touch with the inner resources they needed to fulfill their potential.

We are dedicating this bridge to Bill -- his work and his memory. Bill is the angel of this bridge. And when it is difficult to see the foundation of this structure, remember him -- his faith and devotion -- and be confident that the bridge will hold. God and he will see that you safely complete your journey.

The bridge is named for Bill, but it belongs to all of us, and it is in our keeping now. So as we dedicate this bridge today, let us together resolve to continue Bill's work. The Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge is a symbol of what we can accomplish together. It is a reminder that, with diligence and effort, we can ensure that rural America is not left out or left behind. We can bestow the blessings of progress on our children. We can unite the dissimilar, create useful beauty, and empower the dreams in every American.

Whether you cross this bridge into Cape Girardeau or leaving it ... whether you call Cape home or you live nearby ... whether you love to cross bridges or secretly fear the journey ... Call this bridge yours. Use it not only to get from place to place, but to inspire your pride in the land we are fortunate to make our home. Make it a symbol of the journey we travel together though life. Let it remind you that we, and the bounty of our land, are connected to the world by this bridge. Let it remind you that the world is connected to us.

Vivid. Simple. Peaceable.

Thank you Bill, and thank you all.

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson of Cape Girardeau represents Missouri's 8th District in the U.S. House of Representatives.