Susan M. Holden - Press

I would like to commend the Special Masters Panel -- Susan Holden, Steve Kirsch and Michael Tewksbury -- for their diligence, expertise and hard work to settle the claims by the Interstate 35W bridge collapse survivors and their families.

The bridge collapse was a tremendous tragedy for Minnesota. Decades from now, people will be able to tell you where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news on Aug. 1, 2007. But while the collapse affected the collective psyche of Minnesota, it directly affected -- both physically and emotionally -- those who were on the bridge that day. Their families were also directly affected as they were required to pick up the pieces after loved ones either perished or were seriously injured

After the Legislature passed the funding and structure, it became the task of the Special Masters Panel to decide how to compensate the 179 affected survivors and their families for the losses they suffered when the bridge fell. This was tremendously difficult, but I feel that these three individuals did a wonderful job. They followed closely the law passed by the Legislature last year, and carefully crafted the settlements to ensure that everyone was justly compensated.

I know that the monetary compensation will never ease all the pain and loss suffered on the bridge. However, as Susan Holden eloquently said: "We only hope these settlements will help to ease their burden."

We will never forget the events of Aug. 1, 2007: the heroic efforts of our public safety personnel and those who were on the bridge and able to aid others, and the work that came after to move Minnesota forward from this tragedy. Again, I thank the panel members for helping Minnesota take a step beyond the collapse and for providing the opportunity for the 179 people directly affected to move on with their lives. Your work is truly appreciated.

SEN. RON LATZ, DFL-ST. LOUIS PARK;

COCHAIR, JOINT HOUSE-SENATE

COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS

From StarTribune.com