The Honorable James Oberstar                  XX
231 Federal Building                          XX
Duluth, MN 55802                           Duluth, MN XX
                                           July, 26, 1993

Re: Letter of 7-11-93
John W. Whitehouse

Dear Mr. Oberstar,

Thank you for responding to my concern, and affording copy of the
letter you received from Commander Whitehouse.

However Sir, with all due respect to all parties concerned, I am of
the supported position that the response from Commander Whitehouse is,
as with the Federal reg. in question, lacking reasonable research and
concern for the elderly and handicapped.

In response to the letter from Commander Whitehouse, paragraph three, and I 
quote:   "XXXX suggestion, although understandable, is not practical as it 
         would be difficult  to enforce.  Bridge tenders are located at such   
         a distance that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to          
         identify vessels with handicap designations"............

Sir, again with all due respect ...... I checked with Supervisor Mr.
Steve Douville of the Duluth Aerial Bridge, and with Mr. Dick Maron of
the Grassy Point Bridge here in Duluth. Both, as suspected, carry as
required equipment, binoculars.   I fail to understand where "distance"
could create a problem for "verifying legitimate handicapped vessel
operators".

I still further fail to understand why this federal reg. failed to
incorporate considerations for the handicapped and elderly? Sir, I
may stand corrected, but isn't it federal law that considerations for
the handicapped be of concern?

Sir, I am of the supported position that a void of handicap designation
for concerned vessels will indeed create, in itself, wide spread abuse
among vessel owners.  With this present "void", a bridge owner must
error on the side of caution, and except the word of the vessel  
operator that he/she is handicapped, without any means of varification.

I thank you again Mr. Oberstar, for your continued concern over this
issue. Also Sir, might someone review the Americans With Disabilities
Act of 1990?

                              Sincerely, 
                                   XX

01-02687