[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 117 (Friday, September 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1705-E1706]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE BROOKSVILLE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (BERT)

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 23, 2004

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 
members of the Brooksville Emergency Response Team, also known as BERT.
  In the wake of Hurricane Charley's devastating visit to Florida, 
these remarkable individuals answered the call of duty. On the morning 
of August 14, 2004 at 6:45 a.m. these BERT operatives sprung into 
action and began to rebuild areas of the Fifth Congressional District 
left in shambles. Because of their efforts, the communities of 
Poinciana, Caloose, Lake Village, Lake Wales, Bascon,

[[Page E1706]]

Highland Park, Frostproof, and Lake Hamilton received relief at a 
critical time of need. The BERT team worked to reconstruct Poinciana's 
fire department and assisted with firefighting duties for the 
community. In addition, the team worked on debris clean-up, directed 
traffic, and assisted in damage assessment activities throughout the 
area. In the end, the BERT team accomplishments included 336 work hours 
removing trees from residences and roadways; 14 hours traffic control; 
and deliveries of 1,250 bags of ice, 450 cases of water and 150 
prepared meals to hungry citizens.
  I would like to express my gratitude for the BERT team's service. 
Their actions demonstrated the dedication, selflessness, and sacrifice 
of the human spirit that emerges from rubble of Mother Nature's fury. I 
am proud to represent the Fifth Congressional District of Florida, 
where members of the heroic Brooksville Emergency Response Team call 
home.

                          ____________________