Political Quotes

“today I join my close friend and colleague, Senator Dick Durbin, to honor one of the magnificent landmarks of Illinois, Chicago's Navy Pier. Since Chicago architect Daniel Burnham first established his vision of a public pier to transform Chicago's landscape and draw visitors to experience the lakefront, what opened as Municipal Pier in 1916 has been a gathering point for the community. In World War I and World War II, it became central to the war effort and Navy Pier got its name to honor the sailors who served and continued to serve in defense of our Nation. Many institutions of Chicago began in Navy Pier before finding their home elsewhere in the city, like the University of Illinois' Chicago campus, the Taste of Chicago, and the trade shows that continue to come through Chicago to take advantage of the city's commercial infrastructure. Navy Pier has been a place for people to meet and experience the Great Lakes, city skyline, and various attractions that have sprung up and grown through the city. Locals, Illinoisans, Americans, and international visitors alike experience the Midwest through the lens of the pier, and it reflects back on our city the multicultural, historical aspects of our city and this Nation. You only have to look at the iconic ferris wheel to see how it has transformed Chicago's skyline and become such an integrated, iconic part of the city.…”