Legislation naming the new I-70 bridge over the Mississippi River in St. Louis the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge unanimously passed the U.S. Senate on Thursday, and is expected to be quickly signed into law by President Barack Obama.
"As Jack Buck would say, 'That's a winner,'" said U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, who introduced the legislation earlier this year. "It's a good day for St. Louis, Cardinal Nation and the Musial family -- and I'm thrilled the Stan Span will soon be a reality."
In a statement released Thursday, Musial's children -- Dick Musial, Gerry Ashley, Janet Schwarze and Jean Edmonds -- said they were very grateful the new bridge would be named after their father, who played 22 seasons for the Cardinals and died in January.
"Our father would be particularly proud to be forever linked to the many men and women who have bravely and selflessly served our nation," the family's statement read.
In 2010, a bi-state Congressional delegation encouraged Obama to consider Musial for the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- an honor he received on Feb. 15, 2011.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom recognizes those who have made an "especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors." The award was first given by President Harry S. Truman in 1945 to honor civilian service and was revived in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy.
