Jim Ramstad: “I rise with tremendous sadness and grief about an awful tragedy that took place this evening in Minnesota. Full details…”

“I rise with tremendous sadness and grief about an awful tragedy that took place this evening in Minnesota. Full details on the tragedy are still sketchy, but we know that, as of 6:10 p.m. Minnesota time, during the midst of evening rush hour, a bridge on Interstate Highway 35W in downtown Minneapolis, very close to the Metrodome, collapsed, causing at least 40 cars to fall into the Mississippi River. As my colleague, Keith Ellison, mentioned, at least three people are confirmed dead. A number of others have been hospitalized at the nearby Hennepin County Medical Center, and now we get word at five other hospitals as well. Rescue operations are still under way at this late hour, as fires continue to burn and people remain unaccounted for. The Minnesota Congressional Delegation, thanks to our dean, Mr. Oberstar, has already met and pledged our total support to obtain whatever Federal assistance is needed. In addition, on behalf of Governor Pawlenty, with whom I've been in constant contact, I want to offer the gratitude of all Minnesotans to Speaker Pelosi, who has already pledged her full support for any Federal assistance our State needs to address this bridge disaster.”