Press Release, Remarks by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Senators Alexander Wiley and Homer Ferguson, and Congressman George Dondero at the Signing of the St. Lawrence Seaway Bill

IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 13, 1954 James C. Hagerty, Press Secretary to the President THE WHITE HOUSE REMARKS OF THE PRESIDENT, SENATOR WILEY AND SENATOR FERGUSON, AND REPRESENTATIVE DONDERO AT THE SIGNING OF THE ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY BILL, THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WHITE HOUSE, MAY 13, 1954. Congressman Dondero: Mr. President, the people of the United States, through their Congress, have determined that they will participate with their good neighbor to the north, Canada, in the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway. It has been the dream of many decades. It is one of the greatest waterways in the world, and will be one of the great arteries of commerce in the world. I think that it will contribute much to the económic welfare and also to the national defense of both the United States and Canada, Mr. President, five of your predecessors advocated and endorsed the build- ing of the St. Lawrence Seaway. It has been idelayed thirty or forty years, and now under your great leadership this mighty project, the master project of the North American continent, is to become a reality. I want-to add just one more thought, and that is this: that in the days to come, the American people, the Canadian people, the continent of North America, will receive great benefit from what we are doing now. I am proud to be a Member of the 83rd Congress, to have had some part in bringing this very happy day about, as Chairman of the Committee on Public Works of the House of Representatives, To you, Mr. President, and your Administration, must go the credit for bringing about the beginning of this great project, Only one thing remains now, to make the Seaway an assured fact, and that is your signature to the bill before you. Senator Wiley: Mr. President, I want to congratulate you. History will now record that at long last the dream -- yes, the hope, of countless millions is being fulfilled. Back of us stands the Ambassador of Canada. It is a symbol that we are united in the greatest effort the two nations ever undertook, in building a Waterway here that will mean happiness, health and prosperity for countless millions to come. Across the river we have held hands. Now we cannot part. We are one in a great adventure -- to build for the future of America, I congratulate you and the American people. more (o VER)