Contact: Ernie Blazar 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Monday, August 26, 2002

QUINCY, ILL - Senator Kit Bond today pledged to win the battle necessary to improve the Mississippi River basin. Bond’s remarks, made at Lock & Dam 21 North of Hannibal, were followed by a tour and briefing on Mississippi River transit issues.

“We need modern infrastructure and efficient transportation options for our shippers so we can be more competitive in the world markets. We live in the greatest free market but have to rely on an effective transportation monopoly when the locks close for maintenance,”said Bond. “We cannot spare jobs. We can’t wait any further.”

Bond, one of the Mississippi River’s strongest and most vocal advocates, insists that it is past time to put the Inland Waterway Users’ tax to work on the Mississippi River. Currently, the tax is being diverted for other projects under the federal government.

Pointing out that the Midwest has one artery to the world marketplace, Bond said its past time to improve Missouri’s system of locks and dams. Currently, the aged 600 ft. locks are in desperate need of repair and extension. Bond and other river transit proponents state that, to move goods efficiently, the current locks need to be extended to 1,200 ft.

Disputing the need for an unrealistic prediction by economists on 50 years of transportation demand on the river, Bond states, “As we look ahead, we don’t prepare for what statisticians say the world will be. We prepare for what Americans want the world to be.”

Bond also stressed the importance of Missouri’s river transit during the state’s current economic condition. “Missouri has lost more jobs as a percentage than any other state. We cannot spare jobs. We cannot give away markets. We cannot afford to restrict our shipping options.”

Recognizing the importance of river transit to the future competitiveness of Missouri and the rest of the Midwest’s economy, Bond welcomed the strong support from labor, who joined the coalition committed to a favorable solution to the current tug-and-war over the Mississippi River Basin.