Hoyer Remarks Following Maryland Delegation Meeting on the Federal Response to the Key Bridge Collapse
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) delivered the following remarks today at a press conference after a meeting on the federal response to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse alongside the Maryland Congressional Delegation, Governor Wes Moore, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Commanding General LTG Scott Spellmon, and other officials. Below is a transcript of his remarks and a link to the video:
Click here for a link to the video.
“Thank you very much, General. When the Dali hit the concrete and the steel on that bridge, it hit us all. And it has been said that great tragedies often bring out the best in people — the best commitment to making a difference, to meet that tragedy, and make sure that we can correct and build and unite.
“And I want to thank Governor Moore for his leadership. I want to thank President Biden for his leadership, on behalf of all of the delegation, [for] their focus and quick action. And Secretary Buttigieg, I thank you for not calling me at 3:30 in the morning.
“My district is somewhat far — relatively speaking in Maryland, a small state — from the bridge. But all my people that I represent in Southern Maryland were hit and adversely affected by this tragedy.
“Not only did we lose six souls who were working to make sure that bridge was serviceable, but we lost the economic impact for the nation — as has been said — and I would add, the international community that ships its goods here to Baltimore, one of the busiest ports in America.
“All has been said about the cooperation that has occurred. Senator Cardin, I want to thank you and Senator Van Hollen, you represent the Port along with Kweisi Mfume and John Sarbanes and Dutch Ruppersberger. The rest of us, however, are equally committed to making sure that we heal this wound in our state, in our nation, and service the rest of the world.
“I want to yield to somebody who represented this district for some 20 years, who is retiring from the Congress, but as a member of the Appropriations Committee —along with David Trone — will be working with me and Congressman Harris. We're one of the few states in America that has four members of the Appropriations Committee, and we will be working tirelessly until we get the sums that are necessary, as I said, to heal this wound. Now, let me yield to my friend, Dutch Ruppersberger.”