[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S12042]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO MISSOURI TASK FORCE ONE

 Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise to congratulate the members of 
Missouri Task Force One, which this year achieved Federal designation 
as an FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force, and in October received 
the Memorandum of Understanding that places them in deployable status.
  What a great team. They don't call Missouri the ``Show Me'' State for 
nothing. Missouri Task Force One began as 1 of more than 150 
applicants. They coordinated, cajoled, planned, ``recruited''--a 
euphemism for the arm-twisting for which they've become famous--begged, 
borrowed, purchased, trained, and triumphed. What was only a dream 5 
years ago became a reality this year.
  This team, its members and equipment underwent a rigorous evaluation 
including a full-blown, onsite inspection from technical experts in 
search and rescue. They scored the highest in the Nation, and clobbered 
the competition. I know this may be a sore subject with some of my 
colleagues in the Senate, but the numbers do not lie.
  Missouri Task Force One was head and shoulders above the next-highest 
applicant for new teams and scored ahead of already-designated teams as 
well. This is one of the most exciting, dedicated groups of volunteers 
I have ever seen. They earned this designation in every category 
evaluated, from the quality of the team members to their excellent 
equipment.
  The country won when Missouri Task Force One achieved their 
designation. Some of us have learned the very hard way that disasters 
can happen any time, anywhere. I rest easier knowing that the Midwest 
now has access to the Federal search and rescue teams once concentrated 
on the east and west coasts. I am honored to have the privilege of 
getting to know some of the members of Missouri Task Force One, who 
take the time from their ``day jobs'' and their families to train, take 
risks, pack, unpack, and train some more; for a nightmare we all hope 
will never happen but for which we must be prepared.

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