It's been six months since the eyes of the world descended upon Minnesota during one of the most shocking and painful chapters in our history. Aug. 1, 2007, the day of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse, is a day none of us will ever forget.

The images of the collapse and its aftermath are still fresh in the minds of everyone in our state. From the everyday citizens who ran toward rather than away from the danger, to the rescue teams and local officials who provided leadership on the ground, we showed the world what it means to be a Minnesotan.

Visiting the site in the aftermath of the dramatic collapse, it was difficult to absorb the magnitude of the disaster. As Minnesotans, we prayed for the victims and their families. As public officials, we sought answers to how such a tragedy could have occurred in our country. And we vowed to rebuild, and to do it quickly.