Today the Minnesota Senate passed SF 3881, a bill that renames portions of US Highway 169 from Marble to Mountain Iron the Senator David J. Tomassoni Memorial Cross Range Expressway. The bill was authored by Sen. Robert Farnsworth (R- Hibbing).

“Senator David Tomassoni left an enduring mark on the Senate and the Iron Range before he passed away from ALS two years ago. Turning Highway 169 from a two-lane to a four-lane highway was something Sen. Tomassoni worked on for decades and it’s only fitting that this stretch of highway bear his name,” Sen. Farnsworth said when he presented the bill.

Sen. Farnsworth shared some words he was given when David announced he would not seek reelection, and Farnsworth was considering running. “I asked a former teacher of mine if she had any advice. I remember clearly what she said, ‘David was a giant, you have big shoes to fill. Always do the right thing, and always put the Range first,’ she said.

“Senators,” Farnsworth continued, “it’s a great honor and privilege to offer this bill on behalf of the Tomassoni family and all his friends in the capitol. In the words of David, ‘it’s a good bill, vote green.’

The bill passed with unanimous support and gave many senators the opportunity to share stories and comment on the legacy of bipartisanship and camaraderie Sen. Tomassoni instilled in the Minnesota Senate.

The bill is being passed by the House of Representatives later today, and a bill signing with the Governor, House and Senate bill authors, and the Tomassoni family is planned for Thursday, May 2.