Most of the locks and dams on the upper Mississippi River system are over 60 years old and many are in serious need of repair and rehabilitation.
Related quotes
For the good of our environment, the good of the economy, and the good of the Nation, I strongly urge support of the upper Mississippi locks and dams project.
quote by Leonard Boswell

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Almost 70 percent of U.S. ag exports travel the upper Mississippi River and the Illinois waterway system.
quote by Jerry Costello

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We have an extensive system of highways, ports, locks and dams, and airports.
quote by Jerry Costello

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Twa Sisters O' Binnorie
There were twa sisters sat in a bow'r;
(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)
A knight cam' there, a noble wooer,
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
He courted the eldest wi' glove and ring,
(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)
But he lo'ed the youngest aboon a' thing,
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
The eldest she was vexed sair,
(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)
And sair envìed her sister fair,
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
Upon a morning fair and clear,
(Binnorie, O Binnorie !)
She cried upon her sister dear,
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
`O sister, sister, tak' my hand,'
(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)
`And let's go down to the river-strand,'
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
She's ta'en her by the lily hand,
(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)
And down they went to the river-strand
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
The youngest stood upon a stane,
(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)
The eldest cam' and pushed her in,
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
'O sister, sister, reach your hand!'
(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)
'And ye sall be heir o' half my land'--
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
'O sister, reach me but your glove!'
(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)
'And sweet William sall be your love'--
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
Sometimes she sank, sometimes she swam,
(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)
Till she cam' to the mouth o' yon mill-dam,
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie
Out then cam' the miller's son
(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)
And saw the fair maid swimmin' in,
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
'O father, father, draw your dam!'
(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)
'There's either a mermaid or a swan,'
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
The miller quickly drew the dam,
(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)
And there he found a drown'd womàn,
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
Round about her middle sma'
(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)
There went a gouden girdle bra'
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
All amang her yellow hair
(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)
A string o' pearls was twisted rare,
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
On her fingers lily-white,
(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)
The jewel-rings were shining bright,
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
And by there cam' a harper fine,
(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)
Harpèd to nobles when they dine,
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
And when he looked that lady on,
(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)
He sigh'd and made a heavy moan,
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
He's ta'en three locks o' her yellow hair,
(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)
And wi' them strung his harp sae rare,
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
He went into her father's hall,
(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)
And played his harp before them all,
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
And sune the harp sang loud and clear,
(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)
`Fareweel, my father and mither dear!'
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
And neist when the harp began to sing,
(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)
'Twas 'Fareweel, sweetheart!' said the string,
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.
And then as plain as plain could be,
(Binnorie, O Binnorie!)
'There sits my sister wha drownèd me!
By the bonny mill-dams o' Binnorie.'
poem by Anonymous Americas

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Finally, the ecological health of the Mississippi River and its economic importance to the many people that make their living or seek their recreation is based on a healthy river system.
As founder and co-chair of the upper Mississippi River Congressional task force, I have long sought to preserve the river's health and historical multiple uses, including as a natural waterway and a home to wildlife, for the benefit of future generations of Americans.
Goodbye To A River
(don henley/stan lynch/jai winding/frank simes)
The rains have come early, they say
Were all gonna wash away
Well, thats all right with me
If heavens torrent can wash clean
The arrogance that lies unseen
In the damage done since we have gone
Where we ought not to be
Goodbye to a river
Goodbye to a river
So long
Lakes and levees, dams and locks
They put that river in a box
It was running wild
And men must have control
We live our lives in starts and fits
We lose our wonder bit by bit
We condescend and in the end
We lose our very souls
Goodbye to a river
Goodbye to a river
So long
The dirty water washes down
Poisoning the common ground
Taking sins of farm and town
And bearing them away
The captains of industry
And their tools on the hill
Theyre killing everything divine
What will I tell this child of mine
(solo)
I make a church out of words
As the years dull my senses
And I try to hold on to the world that I knew
I struggle to cross generational fences
And the beauty that still remains
I can touch it through you
Goodbye to a river
Goodbye to a river
So long
Goodbye to a river
Goodbye to a river
So long
Goodbye to a river
Goodbye to a river
So long
Goodbye to a river
Goodbye to a river
Roll on
song performed by by Don Henley

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One of the first things I did as a new Member of Congress was help form a bipartisan Mississippi River Caucus so we could work together from both the North and the South in order to draw attention to the resources that are needed along the Mississippi River.
Jackson, Mississippi
And when the sunshine showed
Her face I felt like I was ready to die
Went lookin for a place to hide
A hole I could crawl inside
Long lines
Whiskey bottles
And the same old song
I smell death in the air
And I know it wont be long
And I could say I'm trying to change
But that's just another lie
Its been a day and a half
And I'm still high
And I feel like Jackson Mississippi
A river runnin
Like Jackson Mississippi
A river runnin
Like Jackson Mississippi
A river runnin thru my veins
And when the daylight disappeared
I took a good look inside
Behind my pride
I sat down and cried
I know I'm not a fool
But I don't know what's wrong
Maybe its time to pack
And just move on
And I could say I'm trying to change
But that would just be a lie
I'm lookin for some one to tell me why
song performed by by Kid Rock

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The Commonwealth of Kentucky has a judicial system, and this system needs a lot of repair. Therefore, there is no need for Kentucky to start building another judicial system within the system, that we already have.
quote by Sonny Landham

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Mississippi River
Ready ?
Well, Im going down that mississippi river,
Yes, I am, yes I am.
Well, Im going down that mississippi river,
Yes, I am, yes I am.
Yes I am, boy, yes I am.
Well, Im goin on that big belle louise,
Yes, I am, yes I am.
Well, Im going on that big belle louise,
Yes, I am, yes I am.
Yes I am, boy, yes I am.
Oh man, where are you gonna catch your river
Catch me tryin, you catch me tryin.
Oh man, where are you gonna catch your river
You catch me tryin, you catch me tryin.
You catch me tryin, boys, you catch me tryin.
Man, will your daughter take on me ?
Well, I dont know, I dont know.
Oh man, will your daughter take on me ?
I dont know, I dont know.
I dont know, boy, I dont know.
Well, Im going down that mississippi river,
Yes, I am, yes I am.
Well, Im going down that mississippi river,
Yes, I am, yes I am.
Yes I am, boy, yes I am.
song performed by by Janis Joplin

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London West
While the Thames meanders gently through the green pasture
fields of Ingersoll, a pleasing picture to behold, how dif-
ferent, alas, is the feeling in London West, where the
river is an object of dread and terror, neither pleasing to
the eye or nostrils. As we have been living for the last
quarter of a century on the edge of one of the tributary
streams of the Thames and were once o'erwhelmed with
ruin dire by a number of the dams giving way, we can
sympathise with them. They are now built strong and
substantial, and the ponds are an ornament to the town,
as well as a source of wealth. The Caledonian Society,
of Ingersoll, donated $50 to the flood sufferers.
The citizens of London West
Their patience oft is put to test
When they behold the various dams
Do cause the floods and the ice jams.
'Tis true that fiercer rages floods
Since country it was stript of woods,
Acid river it doth broader spread
With numerous tile drains quicker fed.
If they did raise embankment high
They might the raging floods defy.
Shall they with sadness gaze ever,
Or with gladness on the river?
River with dams it will not wed,
It wants no strangers in its bed,
And 'gainst them it will rage and fret
for 'tis no gentle rivulet.
poem by James McIntyre

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Up In Mississippi Tonight
Sallys up in mississippi tonight
With a man she hardly knows
Sallys wearin brand new clothes
Opportunity dont knock twice
So sally said, bye, bye
I hope she is alright
Up in mississippi tonight
Sally left before the sun could rise
When the city man came to town
She turned his head around
It was love with just one look
When she saw the size of his pocketbook
Oh sallys doin fine
Shes up in mississippi tonight
But theres a mountain boy whos gonna remember you
And sally youre one old girl he hates to lose
But you did what you had to do
You know Im happy for you
But sometimes please think of me up there in biloxi
Sallys up in mississippi tonight
Stayin in a big hotel
Rich man payin the bill
Drivin a brand new car
Drinkin in fancy bars
Oh sallys havin a time
Shes up in mississippi tonight
Sallys up in mississippi tonight
Sallys up in mississippi tonight
Sallys up in mississippi tonight
song performed by by Tom Petty

Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Not The River In Between
The Mighty Mississippi runs between you and me,
There is some unwritten law, the other side I never see,
Like a damsel locked away in a lonely tower,
On my side the river, I counted the hours,
At least that's how it has been for years,
Raised the river crying all those tears,
Like the river love has two sides,
There were things you wanted to hide,
Just left to wonder, I could barely ask,
You letting me know became such a task,
Any plans I braved inquiring of you,
Sent you running off with a job to do,
Parishes of Assumption and Ascension,
Keeping us apart, not the river's intention,
It has always been you who kept us apart,
Always you breaking my heart,
You once spoke of white Tahoes and a place on the river,
As of most things you spoke, you did not deliver,
Now the flame that burned for you is no longer lit,
So don't cross that Sunshine Bridge when you come to it,
poem by Vallerie Lobell

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Miss The Mississippi And You
(Bill Haley)
I'm growing tired on the big city lights
Tired of the glamour and tired of the sights
In all my dreams I am roaming once more
Back to my home on the old river shore
I am sad and weary, far away from home
Miss the Mississippi and you
Days are dark and dreary
Everywhere I go
Miss the Mississippi and you
Roaming the wide world over
Always along and blue
Nothing seems to cheer me under heaven's door
Miss the Mississippi and you
I'm growing tired on the big city lights
Tired of the glamour and tired of the sights
In all my dreams I am roaming once more
Back to my home on the old river shore
I am sad and weary, far away from home
Miss the Mississippi and you
Days are dark and dreary
Everywhere I go
Miss the Mississippi and you
song performed by by Emmylou Harris

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Miss The Mississippi & You
(bill haley)
Im growing tired on the big city lights
Tired of the glamour and tired of the sights
In all my dreams I am roaming once more
Back to my home on the old river shore
I am sad and weary, far away from home
Miss the mississippi and you
Days are dark and dreary
Everywhere I go
Miss the mississippi and you
Roaming the wide world over
Always along and blue
Nothing seems to cheer me under heavens door
Miss the mississippi and you
Im growing tired on the big city lights
Tired of the glamour and tired of the sights
In all my dreams I am roaming once more
Back to my home on the old river shore
I am sad and weary, far away from home
Miss the mississippi and you
Days are dark and dreary
Everywhere I go
Miss the mississippi and you
song performed by by Emmylou Harris

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Evangeline
(robbie robertson)
She stands on the banks of the mighty mississippi
Alone in the pale moonlight
Waitin for a man, a riverboat gambler
Said that hed return tonight
They used to waltz on the banks of the mighty mississippi
Lovin the whole night through
He was a riverboat gambler off to make a killin
And bring it on back to you
Evangeline evangeline
Curses the soul of the mississippi queen
That pulled her man away
Bayou sam from south louisian
Had gamblin in his veins
Evangeline from the maritime
Was slowly goin insane
High on the top of a hickory hill
She stands in the lightning and thunder
Down on the river the boat was a sinkin
She watched that queen go under
Evangeline evangeline
Curses the soul of the mississippi queen
That pulled her man away
Evangeline evangeline
Curses the soul of the mississippi queen
That pulled her man away
song performed by by Emmylou Harris

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I know what it's like to be ignored, and I think that is the big problem about the prison system: These people are being thrown away. There is no sense of rehabilitation. In some places, they are trying to do things. But, in most cases, it's a holding cell.
quote by Lee Tergesen

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Stiff Upper Lip
(young - young)
Well I was out on a drive
On a bit of a trip
Lookin for thrills
To get me some kicks
Now I warn you ladies
I shoot from the hip
I was born with a stiff
Stiff upper lip
Like a dog in a howl
I bite everything
And Im big and Im drawl
And Ill ball your thing
I keep a stiff upper lip
And I shoot from the hip
I keep a stiff upper lip
And I shoot
And I shoot
Shoot from the hip
Yeah I shoot from the hip
Now listen
Well Im workin it out
And Ive done everything
And I cant reform no
Can you feel my sting
Babe I keep a stiff upper lip
And I shoot from the hip, yeah
I keep a stiff upper lip
And I shoot
And I shoot
And I shoot, shoot, shoot
Shoot from the hip
Well Im out on the prowl
And Ill ball your thing
I got the teeth thatll bite you
Can you feel my sting
Babe I keep a stiff upper lip
And I shoot from the hip
I keep a stiff upper lip
And I shoot shoot shoot from the hip
I got a (stiff upper lip)
Better believe me (stiff upper lip)
Comin down (stiff upper lip)
See my (stiff upper lip)
Yeah I got a (stiff upper lip)
Stiff upper lip
Stiff upper lip
I got a stiff upper lip
I got a stiff upper lip
Stiff upper lip
Stiff upper lip
And I shoot
And I shoot
And I shoot
Shoot from the hip
2000, j. albert & son, pty.
song performed by by AC-DC

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Let Us Create A Certain Distance
even roads have clearances
a system of space
where movement becomes
easier
even buildings that grow
from patches of your earth
have easements
the servient estate giving
in to the dominant one
even the flow of the waters
from the higher estate
to the lower ones
for the proper sharing
of the resources
dams and locks
are made
it is the same with us
between you and me
someone has to be servient
to one who occupies
this dominance
maybe for a while
when we have not
mastered yet this art
of balancing
and walking on some
tight ropes
give me a little space
for my thoughts to grow
give me a little distance
so i can see
the better perspective
of you
from faraway
enough of the particulars
i am deceived
let me try seeing you
as a whole
and let me find
who we are from there
poem by Ric S. Bastasa

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