[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 85 (Thursday, June 25, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S7213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         GRAND FORKS EXHIBITION

 Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I am here today to talk about a 
very special photo exhibit entitled ``Come Hell and High Water,'' which 
is on display this week in the Rotunda of the Russell Senate Office 
Building.
  Through some of the most amazing photographs I have ever seen, the 
exhibit poignantly tells the story of the residents throughout the Red 
River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota who struggled through the 
most devastating of circumstances during the winter and spring of 1997.
  From the most brutal winter in 50 years, which, when all was said and 
done, had dropped more than 100 inches of snow on the region; to the 
most significant flooding in recorded history that resulted in the Red 
River cresting 26 feet above flood stage at Grand Forks and forcing an 
evacuation of nearly all 50,000 residents in the middle of the night; 
to, when no one could imagine it getting any worse, the devastating 
fire that destroyed the heart of downtown Grand Forks; to the 
tremendous outpouring of assistance that brought hope from the 
Administration and organizations such as the American Red Cross, and 
the thousands of volunteers from throughout the United States; to the 
beginning of the recovery process, which continues to this day and will 
continue as the cities of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks rebuild 
bigger, better, and stronger than they were before these devastating 
events. Each of these 37 photographs is worth not only a thousand 
words, but thousands of lives--the lives that were so greatly impacted 
by these events.
  I am proud to say to my colleagues today that the City of Grand Forks 
has made tremendous strides in overcoming these seemingly 
insurmountable odds. The flood destroyed more than 800 homes in Grand 
Forks. Today, Grand Forks Homes, in partnership with several agencies 
and local lenders, have contracted to build 222 new homes in three new 
subdivisions. Fifty-four of these homes are complete, and 158 homes are 
in the framing stage. During the winter months, 287 families were 
housed in FEMA-provided mobile homes. Currently, only 119 mobile homes 
are occupied. Of the 41 historic downtown buildings destroyed by flood 
waters and 11 destroyed by fire, 20 properties have been acquired 
through the Central Business District Business Acquisition program, and 
25 more have been targeted for buyout. The Business and Industry 
Disaster Assistance Program has committed more than $1.5 million to 76 
businesses to help provide for post-flood economic development. The 
Noah's Ark building, a 170,000 square foot office and industrial 
building that will provide new economic development opportunities for 
the community, is slated to be finished July 1st. The Corporate Center, 
composed of two buildings currently under construction in downtown 
Grand Forks, will house three larger businesses and will provide 
economic vitality to this area.
  I commend the residents of Grand Forks for their strength, 
perseverance, and commitment to their wonderful community.
  I would like to take this time to thank the exhibit sponsors: the 
Bremer Foundation of St. Paul and the Knight-Ridder Corporation of 
Miami, who have allowed this exhibit to be displayed at the Newseum, 
the U.S. Geological Survey, the Kennedy Center, and throughout the 
State of North Dakota.
  Also, a special thank you to all the photographers who so 
dramatically captured the events, the lives, the emotions, and the 
heart of the Red River Valley.
  I urge my colleagues to take the time to view this exhibit and begin 
to truly understand not only the devastation of the events of 1997, but 
more importantly, the resilience, the spirit, and the strength of the 
citizens of the Red River Valley.

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