[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 66 (Thursday, May 21, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5350-S5351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO THE OUTSTANDING DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE GRAND 
     FORKS AIR FORCE BASE AND ITS BRANCH OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

 Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
extraordinary disaster assistance efforts of the Grand Forks Air Force 
Base (AFB) and its branch of the American Red Cross.
  Twelve months have passed since my state suffered the worst winter 
and spring of its history. A record eight blizzards dropped more than 
eight feet of snow on North Dakota, and brought with them sub-zero 
temperatures well into the month of April. The worst and final storm, 
Blizzard Hannah, glazed the state in a thick coat of ice, knocked out 
power for much of North Dakota, and made the snowmelt that followed 
even more devastating. On the heels of these paralyzing storms came a 
``500-year'' flood, driving thousands from their homes, many in the 
middle of the night.
  The hasty evacuation of Grand Forks, North Dakota, was the single 
largest evacuation in recent American history. Roused from their beds 
by the wail of sirens, many citizens left their city with little more 
than the clothes on their backs. Homes inaccessible and loved ones far 
away, thousands lacked shelter.
  I firmly believe that the evacuation of Grand Forks would have been 
impossible without the Grand Forks AFB providing for those in need of a 
safe place to sleep and something to eat. The Base opened the doors of 
its homes and cleared its hangars of aircraft to house neighbors in 
need. It is estimated that 4,500 residents of Grand Forks found shelter 
at the air base.
  The assistance of the Grand Forks AFB Red Cross was also invaluable. 
Red Cross volunteers worked tirelessly over the period of the flood 
feeding the displaced, staffing the hospice center for the elderly, 
locating loved ones, and ably dealing with the daunting task of 
sheltering thousands. Then, when the waters receded, the Grand Forks 
AFB American Red Cross continued its efforts: cleaning flood-damaged 
homes, housing those whose homes remained unlivable, and working to 
meet the needs of its neighbors. Six hundred fifty volunteers recorded 
nearly 48,000 hours of service in the flood and flood-recovery effort.
  Mr. President, these were volunteers in the best sense of the word. 
The men and women of the Grand Forks AFB Red Cross were not immune to 
the emotional upheaval of last year's disasters in the Red River 
Valley. These volunteers had families and jobs, and in many cases 
suffered disaster losses of their own, but they gave of their time 
freely. Though many of these men and women only enjoyed a brief stay at 
Grand Forks AFB, we North Dakotans will always consider them neighbors.
  The dedicated and selfless service of Grand Forks AFB personnel made 
me tremendously proud of America's Air Force, and our base. I was 
particularly impressed that Air Force personnel labored to battle flood 
waters, even as their own homes were inundated. I felt it was the least 
I could do to author an amendment which ensured that all Grand Forks 
AFB personnel would have full access to an Air Force disaster relief 
program.
  Together with all my fellow North Dakotans I would like to extend my 
sincerest thanks to Grand Forks AFB an the base's American Red Cross. 
The base commander at the time, Brigadier General Kenneth W. Hess, and 
the Station Manager of the American Red Cross at the time, Mary Martin, 
deserve special thanks. Additionally, I would like to thank the current 
base commander, Colonel James A. Hawkins, for his continued assistance 
in helping Grand forks get back on its feet. Under their leadership, 
the base and the Red Cross helped save a community, and made the state 
and the Nation proud.
  Mr. President, I ask that my letter to Brigadier General Kenneth W. 
Hess be printed in the Record.

[[Page S5351]]

  The letter follows:


                                                 U.S. Senator,

                                      Washington, DC, May 6, 1997.
     Brig. Gen. Kenneth W. Hess,
     Commander, 319 Air Refueling Wing, Grand Forks Air Force 
         Base, Grand Forks, ND.
       Dear General Hess: Working on the disaster has become all 
     consuming, but I did want to take a moment to let you know 
     how much I appreciate the courtesies you extended to me and 
     my staff on our recent stay. Too, I shall be forever grateful 
     to you for all you have done for the people of North Dakota.
       The night-time evacuation of the city of Grand Forks would 
     have been impossible without the availability of the Grand 
     Forks Air Force Base facilities to those in need of shelter. 
     Your quick response and leadership made a situation rife with 
     danger manageable. This same helpful attitude was evident 
     everywhere on the Base--encouragement, hope, and a warm smile 
     went along with the uniform whether at the Emergency 
     Operations Center of the Command Center. And, kindness did 
     not hamper your efficiency--The Grand Forks Air Force Base 
     was a gracious host to the President of the United States and 
     six Cabinet Members in the midst of a disaster.
       General Hess, you can be very proud of the men and women of 
     the 319 Air Refueling Wing. One Airman mentioned to a member 
     of my staff, ``We're glad to help out. We are just one big 
     Grand Forks family.''
       With deepest appreciation,
           Sincerely
                                                      Kent Conrad,
     U.S. Senate.

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