[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 28, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S10603]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 259--COMMENDING THE EFFORTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
          VETERANS AFFAIRS IN RESPONDING TO HURRICANE KATRINA

  Mr. CRAIG (for himself and Mr. Akaka) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs:

                              S. Res. 259

       Whereas Hurricane Katrina physically devastated many areas 
     in the States of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana;
       Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs operates 11 
     medical centers, 18 community-based outpatient clinics, 3 
     regional offices, and 8 national cemeteries in the States of 
     Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana;
       Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs evacuated over 
     1,000 patients, employees, and their families from facilities 
     in the affected areas without any loss of life due to the 
     evacuations;
       Whereas over 1,000 employees of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs are volunteering to assist veterans and their 
     families affected by Hurricane Katrina throughout the United 
     States;
       Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs is providing 
     shelter to over 550 staff and their families who have been 
     displaced as a result of Hurricane Katrina;
       Whereas patients and employees of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs in Texas provided extraordinary support and 
     medical assistance to veterans, staff, and families affected 
     by Hurricane Katrina and coordinated numerous medical efforts 
     as part of the overall Federal Government response and 
     recovery efforts in the Gulf Region; and
       Whereas heroic actions and efforts on the part of numerous 
     employees and volunteers of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs saved countless lives and provided immeasurable 
     comfort to the victims of Hurricane Katrina: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate commends the employees and 
     volunteers of the Department of Veterans Affairs, who risked 
     life and limb to assist veterans, staff, and their respective 
     families who were affected by Hurricane Katrina.

  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution that 
honors the extraordinary heroics exhibited by employees of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs in the response to the catastrophic 
conditions caused by Hurricane Katrina.
  The Department of Veterans Affairs operates 11 medical centers, 18 
community-based outpatient clinics, three regional offices, and eight 
national cemeteries in the States of Alabama, Mississippi, and 
Louisiana. Throughout this tragedy, VA moved employees, their families, 
equipment, and even patients from many of these places. Incredibly with 
over 1,000 people evacuated in total, not one life was lost.
  While it is impossible for me to recognize every act of bravery and 
courage exhibited, I would be remiss if I did not highlight the 
incredible story of two VA nurses and their efforts to ensure continued 
patient care during the aftermath of Katrina. These two nurses not only 
braved the danger of the storm, but they risked their own lives to 
ensure that their patients could survive. These two women fed their own 
water supply to their patients, and, even more incredibly, they then 
administered intravenous fluids to one another to stay hydrated so that 
they could continue to deliver care. Clear1y, this was going far above 
and beyond the call of duty. The example set by these two courageous 
women must be recognized.
  I also want to note that VA's success in responding to this storm was 
largely due to the extensive preparation by VA workers before Katrina 
hit the Gulf Region. This preparation ensured the successful 
administration of continued medical care to veterans upon relocation as 
well as the safe evacuation of all staff and their families.
  Before the storm hit, VA workers oversaw the evacuation of 166 
patients in Mississippi and Louisiana. In addition, VA workers had the 
foresight to transfer copies of electronic medical records from the New 
Orleans VA Medical Center to the VA facility in Houston so that those 
records would be available on a national level. The bottom line is that 
this careful preparation before the storm hit saved lives.
  The examples of sacrifice and heroics are countless. But, I don't 
want to forget those who simply stayed put in the right place and did 
their job--sometimes for days on end. I am speaking most specifically 
of the valiant efforts of the employees in the VA facilities throughout 
Texas. These dedicated doctors, nurses, and supporting staff worked 
countless hours providing medical assistance, shelter and comfort to 
the evacuated VA patients, employees, and their families.
  As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, it is my 
distinct honor to commend the heroic efforts of VA workers throughout 
the country in this resolution. I am also pleased to note that Ranking 
Member Akaka has joined with me in expressing our sincere appreciation. 
The devastation of Hurricane Katrina is something with which we are all 
familiar. It gives me great pleasure to highlight the dedication, 
sacrifice, and courage of VA workers in light of the terrible 
devastation caused by what many have called the worst natural disaster 
in our Nation's history.

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