[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 15 (Tuesday, February 22, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 COMMENDING BRIG. GEN. RALPH V. LOCURCIO, U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I would like to congratulate Brig. Gen. 
Ralph V. Locurcio on his heroic efforts on the Island of Kauai during 
Hurricane Iniki.
  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has many missions, but it is during 
disaster response operations that the service to the public truly 
shines.
  Hurricane Iniki struck the Island of Kauai on September 11, 1992 
damaging 12,000 homes, killing 3, leaving 8,000 homeless, leveling 
utility poles, destroying crops, and causing more than $1.6 billion in 
damages. Within 12 hours of the hurricane's landfall, Brig. Gen. Ralph 
V. Locurcio, in accordance with the corps' mission of flood control and 
coastal emergency support, personally led the engineers and technicians 
of the U.S. Army Engineer Division, Pacific Ocean [POD] to the isolated 
and disaster stricken island to perform damage assessment and join 
forces with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, active military, 
the National Guard, and various State and local agencies responding to 
the disaster.
  This initial team carried out their duties with a high degree of 
efficiency and professionalism, in part enabled by prior knowledge of 
Kauai's governmental structure and planning and management functions, 
and familiarity with the local culture and local concerns acquired over 
many decades of Federal water resource development on the island. 
Within 24 hours of the hurricane's landfall, Brigadier General Locurcio 
further mobilized and dispatched to Kauai 100 engineers, technicians, 
lawyers, real estate, and contract specialists, and established a 
dedicated headquarters support staff on Oahu consisting of all 
disciplines and specialties responsible for satisfying needs of the 
forward elements at the disaster scene.
  Brigadier General Locurcio's hands-on experience during the Kuwait 
recovery was invaluable in establishing decentralized field assistance 
throughout Kauai as well as effecting efficient coordinating procedures 
and partnership actions with concerned Federal, military, State, and 
local decisionmakers. And perhaps most importantly, he listened to the 
victims.
  Brigadier General Locurcio and his highly motivated and competent 
staff literally worked day and night for the initial 90-day period 
succeeding the hurricane's onslaught, epitomizing the highest and most 
exemplary level of dedicated service to the public. In view of this 
outstanding performance, it is most appropriate that the U.S. Senate 
recognize Brig. Gen. Ralph V. Locurcio and the U.S. Army Engineer 
Division, Pacific Ocean for their quick, highly professional, and 
effective response to the ravages of Hurricane Iniki, and for their 
many services and kindnesses to the people of Kauai above and beyond 
the call of duty.

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