Today, we celebrate the restoration of the Susquehanna River from a threat to an asset.  Those of us who experienced the 1972 Agnes flood remember how the river's raging waters devastated much of the Wyoming Valley, and we gratefully accepted the flood protection provided by the improved Wyoming Valley Levee System which was finally structurally complete in 2002, though at the cost of a view of the river. 

Today, however, we rededicate the Wilkes-Barre River Common, an urban oasis made possible as a result of the Army Corps of Engineers project jointly sponsored by the federal and county governments, with support from the state government.  As the plans for the flood protection project progressed in the 1990s, it became clear to me and to the local sponsors, our Luzerne County Commissioners, that the people of the Wyoming Valley deserved more than a utilitarian levee system.  At my request, President Clinton approved the expenditure of additional funds to replace the earthen embankment in Wilkes-Barre with a more space-efficient flood wall, through which two portals were placed, giving people access to the river on the other side and preserving enough land to permit a newly improved River Common. 

At the direction of the county commissioners, county engineer Jim Brozena found an extraordinarily talented designer, who worked with the commissioners to create a truly world class riverfront that we will be able to enjoy for generations.  The 750 seat amphitheater will be open to the community for summer performances.  A boat landing and fishing pier will serve fishermen, canoers, and kayakers.  Paths from our historic courthouse along the riverfront past the King's and Wilkes' campuses will provide beautiful scenery for joggers, roller skaters, and anyone who just wants to take in the serenity of the river on an evening stroll.  

Many people have contributed to the successful completion of the Wilkes-Barre River Common, but our county commissioners past and present especially deserve a great deal of credit for daring to dream that we could achieve what we celebrate today.  After countless meetings and difficult decisions, as the Member of Congress who has lived with this project since its origination when it was authorized in 1986, let me now express my gratitude to everyone shared the experience with me.  One look at the River Common makes it all worthwhile. 

The Wilkes-Barre River Common is a symbol of what we can accomplish when we all work together for a common end.  Let us all rejoice in our success and remind ourselves that there is no dream too big for Northeastern Pennsylvania to achieve.