WASHINGTON • Naming bridges after politicians is a time-honored tradition, and it was once the plan for the new Mississippi River bridge, which was going to be named after two congressmen: William L. Clay of St. Louis and Jerry Costello of Belleville.
But that plan never gained traction, and the death of Cardinals legend Stan Musial sparked a call to name the bridge after him.
On Thursday, the four U.S. senators from Missouri and Illinois endorsed the idea and said they would work to guide such legislation to passage.
“I’m thrilled to have all four of us working together to honor such a great ballplayer, and more than that, a great person,” said Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., who started championing the Musial bridge shortly after the Cardinals’ baseball legend died, on Jan. 19 at age 92.
“I’m confident that once we’re successful, the ‘Stan span’ will remind future generations of a role model and hometown hero,” McCaskill said in a statement.
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Sen. Roy Blunt had said he thought highly of the idea and would discuss it with others in the political realm.
Blunt, R-Mo., observed that Musial “was a great part of our community, our state, and the game of baseball for a long time. Naming this bridge after Stan is a way for us to ensure that his legacy lives on.”
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., recalled while reiterating his endorsement that while growing up in East St. Louis, Musial had been a hero of his.
“On the field and off, Stan Musial was always a gentleman, always a champion. He exemplified the values of sportsmanship, discipline, hard work, grace and consistency.”
Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., also signed on to the bipartisan effort.
McCaskill and Durbin had already agreed to press for Musial’s name on the bridge; Blunt and Kirk added their support on Thursday.
“As both a World War II veteran and baseball great, Stan Musial leaves behind a legacy defined by commitment, kindness and hard work, and I am pleased to join this bipartisan effort to name the new I-70 bridge in his honor,” Kirk’s statement read.
Similar bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House.
Senators noted that their proposal would need to advance through normal channels starting with the Environment and Public Works Committee.
Bill Lambrecht is Washington bureau chief for the Post-Dispatch and STLtoday.com. He covers politics, Congress and Missourians and Illinoisans in Washington.
