[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 6 (Thursday, January 11, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S411-S412]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     EVOLVING DISASTER IN COLORADO

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I rise today to call to the attention of 
the Members of the Senate an evolving disaster that is occurring in 
parts of eastern Colorado as well as parts of Nebraska, Oklahoma, New 
Mexico, and Kansas and to concur with statements made earlier this week 
by my colleague, Senator Roberts from Kansas. On Monday, my friend from 
Kansas stated that he rose to call attention to what can only be 
described as a major disaster. I agree with Senator Roberts, there can 
be no doubt that we are dealing with a disaster in the West.
  Over the last few weeks Colorado and its neighbors have experienced 
record-setting blizzards. In some parts of Colorado the storms dropped 
almost 5 feet of snow which has drifted in some cases to a size of 15 
feet. I stand about 6 feet 1 inch, so to get some perspective, 5 feet 
of snow would leave my neck and shoulders just out above the snow. It 
is tough to get around in and a nightmare if you have to tend to 
livestock, but that is what folks in Colorado, and in the neighboring 
States have done. In fact, so much snow has fallen in Baca County down 
in southeastern Colorado that weather stations that transmit data 
including snowfall were unable to send information because they were 
buried under a number of feet of snow.
  Let me reiterate that there was so much snow in Baca County that they 
were unable to measure it. This has created a horrendous situation for 
many in the West. Thousands of cattle and other livestock are currently 
stranded without food or water. Many have died due to the freezing 
temperatures. I have here a photo of an animal that is caked with 
several inches of snow. There are ice sickles falling down off of the 
nose of the animal and off of the underbelly of the animal. This is a 
hearty animal. Most animals that have suffered this kind of condition 
would not survive. The reason I point this out to the Members of the 
Senate is it just shows how ferocious this particular storm was and how 
serious of an impact it has had on the animals. This doesn't occur 
unless you have very severe blizzard conditions with lots of snow 
accompanying it.
  The aftermath of these devastating blizzards continues to paralyze 
many counties in Colorado and the West. Dozens of communities have 
experienced severe economic damage and loss as a result of these 
blizzards. These storms have created a dire situation. Thousands of 
local men and women have banded together and are working to provide 
relief to their neighbors and to the tens of thousands of livestock 
facing starvation. In the tradition of the West, local individuals have 
pulled together and spent much of their holiday season trying to dig 
each other out and reach stranded livestock.
  These storms struck during a time of year when ranchers in Colorado 
are preparing for the National Western Stock Show, one of the largest 
stock shows in the world. The stock show is an important opportunity 
for ranchers to show stock and to make contacts. Now in its 101st year, 
this year's stock show has seen a marked drop in attendance due to 
these storms.
  A story in the Rocky Mountain News was ``No-Show Stock Show.'' I have 
received reports that livestock pens are sitting empty at the stock 
show and that the number of exhibitors is down. This is because the 
animals that would fill the pens are fighting for their very survival 
and the ranchers who would typically exhibit simply can't make it 
because they are trying to save their stock. Folks aren't at the stock 
show because they are back home trying to help one another deal with 
the aftermath of these major storms. Locals are trying to do all they 
can.
  I am grateful for the assistance that the National Guard and FEMA 
have provided. Unfortunately, more help is needed. The vicious 
combination of blizzards was especially hard on eastern Colorado and 
the farmers and ranchers who call this part of Colorado home.
  The part of Colorado hardest hit by these blizzards is also one of 
the most important agricultural regions in our Nation and is an 
epicenter for cattle production. Ranchers in this part of the State are 
currently racing against time in an attempt to locate cattle that have 
been stranded without feed or water. Unfortunately, as each day

[[Page S412]]

goes by, the death toll increases. I have confirmed reports that the 
livestock loss has already reached into the thousands, and the tally is 
steadily growing.
  I have a photo that reflects how devastatingly some of the herds have 
been impacted. We have live cattle back here, and down here dead 
cattle. This photo reflects how all the cattle bunched together for 
warmth during the storm, and as a result, we have dead animals 
clustered together down here in this lower part of the photo that I 
bring to the Senate. It is a gruesome scene. This loss will have a very 
severe economic impact on this particular farmer and rancher. 
Unfortunately farmers and ranchers all over the State of Colorado and 
our neighbors to the east are facing similar situations.
  I grew up on a ranch, and I know all too well when your livestock is 
threatened, then so is your livelihood. Indications are that a tragic 
scene is developing in Colorado as cattle succumb to the elements due 
to a lack of food or a lack of water or from extreme exposure.
  Colorado's Governor has declared a state of emergency and has 
requested help from the Federal Government. I support this request and 
have transmitted my support for Federal aid to the White House. On 
Sunday, President Bush made an official emergency declaration for parts 
of Colorado. I am thankful for the President's attention to this crisis 
and the time he and his staff put in on this situation, working through 
the weekend to help Colorado producers. By signing this declaration on 
Sunday night, the President showed that he is a man familiar with 
ranching and understands how devastating this situation is for rural 
Colorado.
  The efforts of the President freed up valued aid from FEMA for snow 
removal for which I am grateful. As you can see from this particular 
picture, we have a roof that collapsed from the weight of the snow. It 
is just part of the picture, but I think it again reflects how the 
utilities and the infrastructure in areas of Colorado have been 
impacted. These impacts include the closure major highways and one of 
the country's busiest airports. I am grateful for the aid from FEMA. 
Local officials have been offering aid from the start and others from 
their office have swarmed to Colorado to offer assistance. They have a 
temporary headquarters set up in a Holiday Inn off the highway. Even in 
these less-than-ideal conditions, they are committed to helping folks 
in Colorado. This photo depicts the need, it shows a roof that 
collapsed from the weight of the snow.
  Last night I was informed by FEMA officials that upon receipt of 
appropriate paperwork from Colorado, up to six additional counties 
could be eligible for assistance. Those counties that could be added to 
the President's original emergency declaration are Baca, Bent, Crowley, 
El Paso, Prowers, and Pueblo Counties. In the coming days and weeks, I 
will continue to work the FEMA officials to see if other Colorado 
counties will be eligible. We appreciate the assistance FEMA has 
provided and their continued efforts.
  One of the most pressing matters that needs to be addressed is 
livestock aid. We desperately need aid for livestock rescue and 
recovery. The need for livestock aid becomes more pressing with each 
passing minute. I am hopeful that short-term relief will be forthcoming 
very soon.
  To address this need in the long term I have introduced a bill with 
colleagues from other affected States. The Livestock Assistance Act of 
2007 will provide aid to farmers and ranchers for livestock recovery 
and assistance to help cover the costs of the livestock losses created 
by these storms. I am hopeful that my colleagues in the Senate can 
appreciate the vital nature of this bill and act quickly on it. As I 
stand here today, another storm is on its way to Colorado, bringing 
Arctic cold and a prediction of up to another foot of snow. We are in a 
tough spot out West, and I ask that all necessary Federal resources be 
made available to Colorado and other Western States suffering the 
devastation brought on by these historic storms.

  I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Maryland is 
recognized.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I yield myself 10 minutes of the time 
controlled by the majority. I ask unanimous consent that Senator Jack 
Reed be recognized for 10 minutes at the conclusion of my remarks.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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