Remarks as prepared
Delivered on Friday, April 5, 2024
Mister President, on behalf of 6.3 million Marylanders: Welcome back to Baltimore.
I want to thank the mayor, county leaders, the federal delegation, and Marylanders from all walks of life – who have come together in partnership.
Today – and every day – we are thinking of the six victims of the Key Bridge collapse and their families.
They are in our hearts, our thoughts, and our prayers.
Están en nuestros corazones, nuestros pensamientos, y nuestras oraciones.
Ten days ago, a piece of the Baltimore skyline and the Baltimore spirit plunged into the river.
But the people of Maryland rallied.
And I tell you, Mister President: The City of Baltimore is stronger today than ever before.
Our strength wasn’t pre-ordained.
Marylanders have spent weeks – and months – and years focusing on what unites us.
Baltimore came together to improve public safety – and last year, we brought down homicides to the lowest they’ve been in almost a decade.
Baltimore came together to drive growth – and this year, we have one of the fastest growing economies in the nation.
The hard-working people of Baltimore have been training for this moment – even if we didn’t know it.
Our unions – our first responders – our government leaders – our village elders – have forged uncommon bonds.
Partnership is what we do. And partnership will help us rebuild the bridge and win this moment.
Today, we launch a new partnership with leaders in the public and private sectors. It’s called the Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Alliance.
The Alliance is made up of leaders who are doubling-down on their commitment to the city and state.
Many have have agreed not to lay off employees;
Many have agreed to return to Baltimore, even if they need to move somewhere else temporarily;
And all have agreed to help us build a better future.
Foundations, businesses, sports teams, and community champions have committed a combined $15 million thus far to support our workers and neighborhoods in this moment.
The Alliance is over 80 members strong – and we are only getting stronger.
Maryland is building a table large enough to include everyone – from our federal partners to our nonprofit leaders to our entrepreneurs to our port workers.
And this morning, I signed an executive order to provide $60 million in financial relief for workers and businesses impacted by the Key Bridge collapse.
Now – I know our state's largest city is being tested right now.
But Baltimore has been tested before.
We get knocked down – we stand back up – and we move forward.
And the people of Maryland are grateful to have a full partner in President Joe Biden.
We received our first call from the White House at 3:00 A.M. the day of the collapse.
Every hour since, we’ve worked hand-in-hand with this administration.
President Biden may not be a Marylander by birth – but I tell you: He is proving what it means to be Maryland Tough and Baltimore Strong.
The President stood with us in the first 100 days of our administration to announce historic funding for the Frederick Douglass Tunnel…
He stands with us today – to help the families, clear the channel, lift our people, and rebuild the bridge…
And with the support of President Biden and his team, I know that Marylanders of this generation and the next will look up, once again, and see the Francis Scott Key Bridge standing tall.
The State of Maryland is honored to welcome the President OF the United States to one of the most important cities IN the United States.
Ladies and gentlemen, the 46th President of the United States of America:
President Joe Biden.
Mister President, on behalf of 6.3 million Marylanders: Welcome back to Baltimore.
I want to thank the mayor, county leaders, the federal delegation, and Marylanders from all walks of life – who have come together in partnership.
Today – and every day – we are thinking of the six victims of the Key Bridge collapse and their families.
They are in our hearts, our thoughts, and our prayers.
Están en nuestros corazones, nuestros pensamientos, y nuestras oraciones.
Ten days ago, a piece of the Baltimore skyline and the Baltimore spirit plunged into the river.
But the people of Maryland rallied.
And I tell you, Mister President: The City of Baltimore is stronger today than ever before.
Our strength wasn’t pre-ordained.
Marylanders have spent weeks – and months – and years focusing on what unites us.
Baltimore came together to improve public safety – and last year, we brought down homicides to the lowest they’ve been in almost a decade.
Baltimore came together to drive growth – and this year, we have one of the fastest growing economies in the nation.
The hard-working people of Baltimore have been training for this moment – even if we didn’t know it.
Our unions – our first responders – our government leaders – our village elders – have forged uncommon bonds.
Partnership is what we do. And partnership will help us rebuild the bridge and win this moment.
Today, we launch a new partnership with leaders in the public and private sectors. It’s called the Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Alliance.
The Alliance is made up of leaders who are doubling-down on their commitment to the city and state.
Many have have agreed not to lay off employees;
Many have agreed to return to Baltimore, even if they need to move somewhere else temporarily;
And all have agreed to help us build a better future.
Foundations, businesses, sports teams, and community champions have committed a combined $15 million thus far to support our workers and neighborhoods in this moment.
The Alliance is over 80 members strong – and we are only getting stronger.
Maryland is building a table large enough to include everyone – from our federal partners to our nonprofit leaders to our entrepreneurs to our port workers.
And this morning, I signed an executive order to provide $60 million in financial relief for workers and businesses impacted by the Key Bridge collapse.
Now – I know our state's largest city is being tested right now.
But Baltimore has been tested before.
We get knocked down – we stand back up – and we move forward.
And the people of Maryland are grateful to have a full partner in President Joe Biden.
We received our first call from the White House at 3:00 A.M. the day of the collapse.
Every hour since, we’ve worked hand-in-hand with this administration.
President Biden may not be a Marylander by birth – but I tell you: He is proving what it means to be Maryland Tough and Baltimore Strong.
The President stood with us in the first 100 days of our administration to announce historic funding for the Frederick Douglass Tunnel…
He stands with us today – to help the families, clear the channel, lift our people, and rebuild the bridge…
And with the support of President Biden and his team, I know that Marylanders of this generation and the next will look up, once again, and see the Francis Scott Key Bridge standing tall.
The State of Maryland is honored to welcome the President OF the United States to one of the most important cities IN the United States.
Ladies and gentlemen, the 46th President of the United States of America:
President Joe Biden.
Mister President, on behalf of 6.3 million Marylanders: Welcome back to Baltimore.
I want to thank the mayor, county leaders, the federal delegation, and Marylanders from all walks of life – who have come together in partnership.
Today – and every day – we are thinking of the six victims of the Key Bridge collapse and their families.
They are in our hearts, our thoughts, and our prayers.
Están en nuestros corazones, nuestros pensamientos, y nuestras oraciones.
Ten days ago, a piece of the Baltimore skyline and the Baltimore spirit plunged into the river.
But the people of Maryland rallied.
And I tell you, Mister President: The City of Baltimore is stronger today than ever before.
Our strength wasn’t pre-ordained.
Marylanders have spent weeks – and months – and years focusing on what unites us.
Baltimore came together to improve public safety – and last year, we brought down homicides to the lowest they’ve been in almost a decade.
Baltimore came together to drive growth – and this year, we have one of the fastest growing economies in the nation.
The hard-working people of Baltimore have been training for this moment – even if we didn’t know it.
Our unions – our first responders – our government leaders – our village elders – have forged uncommon bonds.
Partnership is what we do. And partnership will help us rebuild the bridge and win this moment.
Today, we launch a new partnership with leaders in the public and private sectors. It’s called the Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Alliance.
The Alliance is made up of leaders who are doubling-down on their commitment to the city and state.
Many have have agreed not to lay off employees;
Many have agreed to return to Baltimore, even if they need to move somewhere else temporarily;
And all have agreed to help us build a better future.
Foundations, businesses, sports teams, and community champions have committed a combined $15 million thus far to support our workers and neighborhoods in this moment.
The Alliance is over 80 members strong – and we are only getting stronger.
Maryland is building a table large enough to include everyone – from our federal partners to our nonprofit leaders to our entrepreneurs to our port workers.
And this morning, I signed an executive order to provide $60 million in financial relief for workers and businesses impacted by the Key Bridge collapse.
Now – I know our state's largest city is being tested right now.
But Baltimore has been tested before.
We get knocked down – we stand back up – and we move forward.
And the people of Maryland are grateful to have a full partner in President Joe Biden.
We received our first call from the White House at 3:00 A.M. the day of the collapse.
Every hour since, we’ve worked hand-in-hand with this administration.
President Biden may not be a Marylander by birth – but I tell you: He is proving what it means to be Maryland Tough and Baltimore Strong.
The President stood with us in the first 100 days of our administration to announce historic funding for the Frederick Douglass Tunnel…
He stands with us today – to help the families, clear the channel, lift our people, and rebuild the bridge…
And with the support of President Biden and his team, I know that Marylanders of this generation and the next will look up, once again, and see the Francis Scott Key Bridge standing tall.
The State of Maryland is honored to welcome the President OF the United States to one of the most important cities IN the United States.
Ladies and gentlemen, the 46th President of the United States of America:
President Joe Biden.