http://www.michigan.gov/ en Copyright 2008 - State Of Michigan Thu, 3 Jul 2008 19:55:08 EDT http://www.michigan.gov/podcast http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://michigan.michigan.gov/images/gov/gradio_143016_7_188404_7.jpg 144 125 http://michigan.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-37483---,00.html http://michigan.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov103_Full_204028_7.mp3 Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:00:00 EDT This weekend, Michigan is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Mackinac Bridge - back in 1957, the Might Mac opened for the first time, connecting Michigan's Upper and Lower peninsulas. It was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time it was built, a record that would hold for more than thirty years.
The Bridge was an enormous challenge at a critical juncture in Michigan's history. But proponents believed it could fuel economic growth for the state. Despite initial skepticism, which persisted even after the span was completed, the bridge proved to be a smart investment, and became a symbol of Michigan's strength and ingenuity.
Michigan Governor Mennen Williams described it at the time as "the manifestation of the spirit of Michigan - a spirit adventurous, unafraid, respectful of the past, but eager to meet the future."
In the global economy of the 21st century, the challenges to our economic future are no longer as concrete as figuring out how to span a vast channel. But the spirit that Governor Williams described fifty years ago still fits Michigan citizens. http://michigan.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov103_Full_204028_7.mp3