[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 24, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      THE QUALITY INN HOTEL--A ``SALUTE TO HURRICANE VOLUNTEERS''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2006

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute those individuals 
and organizations that opened their hearts and dedicated both financial 
and emotional support to the evacuees of Hurricane Katrina and 
Hurricane Rita. All of the States along the Gulf Coast have endured 
terrible hardships during last year's hurricane season, and I know that 
the generosity of North Texans played a vital role in bringing some 
peace into their lives.
  Today I want to specifically thank three individuals and one company 
for their contributions. Viral Thakkar, Cara Hensley, and Joe Leising 
from The Quality Inn Hotel generously provided hotel rooms for some of 
the first evacuees traveling to Denton, Texas, in my congressional 
district, after the storms. For weeks after the event, the hotel's more 
than one-hundred rooms remained at capacity.
  In the nine-month duration of the Quality Inn Hotel's efforts, they 
housed more than 800 evacuees. In addition, the Quality Inn worked with 
the City of Denton to help transition 27 families staying at the hotel 
into semi-permanent housing, and hosted a number of community and 
holiday events for evacuees and families.
  I stand here today to sincerely thank Viral Thakkar, Cara Hensley, 
and Joe Leising from the Quality Inn Hotel for their gracious 
contributions. I am proud to call these people fellow Texans. Through 
their contribution, they not only stand as devoted and giving American 
citizens, but they serve as an inspiration to others.

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