Political Quotes

“This conference report has provided important funding to preserve a bridge in California. This bridge is not just any bridge. It is the bridge that is a symbol for my state and it is a national treasure. The Golden Gate Bridge is truly a jewel in California. It frames California as our Pacific Gateway. I believe many Americans would agree it is one of our nation's most magnificent architectural treasures. But, Mr. President, it is also highly vulnerable to earthquakes. We need to protect it. We have a 1.2 billion program in the Bay Area to protect our bridges from earthquakes. This seismic retrofit and new construction is being paid for entirely by state revenues and by tolls paid by our motorists. The Golden Gate, however, is not a state bridge. It is not a Federal bridge. It is owned by the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway Transportation District which collects the tolls and operates a local mass transit service. Consequently, the bridge, this treasure, needs additional funds in order to pay for a $217 million program to protect the bridge from earthquakes. I am so pleased that Senator Chafee and my colleagues on the conference committee heeded our pleas for help on this project and provided $51.75 million for the retrofit program. That amount includes $25 million from the Bridge Discretionary program.”