[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 110 (Wednesday, September 7, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H7701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INSPIRING ACTS OF KINDNESS OCCURRING IN WAKE OF HURRICANE KATRINA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share one of the many 
inspiring stories of personal commitment and sacrifice that have 
occurred in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In the Eleventh 
District of Georgia in the town of Marietta, my hometown, a community 
came together to rescue more than 30 hurricane victims from the Waldo 
Boys Home in Louisiana.
  It started when Marlene Murphy, an employee at InfoMart, a local 
company in Marietta, made a desperate appeal to her fellow workers. 
Marlene's sister and brother-in-law were counselors at the Waldo Burton 
Boys Home in New Orleans. They were stranded, along with many of the 
residents and staff, after floodwaters engulfed that city.
  Without wasting a bit of time, InfoMart employees, led by the 
company's president, Tammy Cohen, swung into action, taking on the 
cause as their own. The employees brought food, clothing, and 
necessities for the stranded boys. They notified the Coast Guard of the 
situation. Naval Air Station Atlanta's Captain Sean King and other 
leaders in the community quickly organized a mission to rescue these 
victims.
  InfoMart rented three passenger vans and a truck, and they started 
that long trip to New Orleans. On the way, there were plenty of reasons 
to turn back: 2-mile long lines for gas, police barricades, and even 
cars driving on the wrong side of the interstate.
  But these volunteers did not for a second think of themselves or 
their troubles. They were only focused on rescuing these boys, no 
matter what; and I am proud to report that their mission was a success. 
Fifteen boys, aged from 12 months to 15 years, along with 16 staff and 
family members, were brought back to Marietta, Georgia, where now they 
were welcomed by a generous community eager to help.
  After spending the night in donated rooms at the Marietta Conference 
Center, the boys are now being transitioned into three homes owned by 
the YWCA. They have been fed. They have been given fresh clothes and 
personal necessities. Efforts are being made also to locate other 
family members, and local businesses and charities are donating the 
resources needed to get these victims settled.
  Mr. Speaker, if I thank all the people who deserve praise for this 
astonishing and selfless effort, we would be here all night. A gas 
station in Birmingham donated gas for the trip home, and local 
restaurants, like Panera Bread and Mellow Mushroom Pizza, are donating 
food for the boys. InfoMart employees and community members have 
donated supplies, clothes, and that most important gift of all, their 
time.
  This is a shining example of a community coming together to help 
another community. In this time of crisis we can draw strength from the 
knowledge that Americans are helping Americans. It is good to know that 
the American way is a generous and giving one.
  Mr. Speaker, the acts of kindness I have witnessed in Katrina's wake 
make me proud to be a citizen of this great Nation. Neither waves, nor 
rain, nor wind, nor blistering heat can crush the American spirit. 
Wherever nature kicks us down, there are millions of hands waiting to 
lift us up.
  There are many acts of kindness taking place across this Nation, and 
I ask that you join me in praising the selfless dedication our citizens 
have shown in opening their wallets, their homes, and, most 
importantly, their hearts.

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