Representative William Keller Reflects on Significance of Moving Forward with the Delaware River Deepening Project I have attended many ceremonies at the port over the past fifteen years, but none more important than the one we held today to witness the signing of the Cooperative Agreement between the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that will move the new Delaware River main channel deepening construction project forward. A project that started under the leadership of former Governor Bob Casey is now finally realized because of the persistence and leadership of Governor Ed Rendell. Senator Arlen Specter and Congressman Bob Brady were unwavering in their support and worked to secure Federal approval of this project. They were assisted in their efforts by Congressmen Jack Murtha and Chaka Fattah. As a result of their efforts, future generations will benefit from the development of the port. But Governors, Senators and Congressmen alone could not have made this day a reality. Port related businesses and rank and file men and women who earn their living here refused to accept “no” and “no action” as an option. Their energy and commitment each and every day fueled the political support and kept the project on the front burner. Today is most satisfying because we demonstrated that despite overwhelming odds, an entire community could successfully accomplish its goal through perseverance and cooperation. Our challenge now is to maintain our momentum, our focus, our commitment and most importantly our “never say never” spirit and move boldly forward to define the future of our port and our industrial base here in Pennsylvania. This is a day I will always remember as the day when the Port of Philadelphia rose to the challenge and let the world know it means business—serious business. I would like to thank everyone who made this great day possible and ask you to remember those who are no longer with us, but who believed as we do, that the best is really yet to come.