[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 161 (Tuesday, October 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN RECOGNITION OF GREG GASPEREEZ AND LAURIE CONNER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 23, 2007

  Mr. RAHALL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Greg 
Gasperecz and Ms. Laurie Conner, in anticipation of the joyful event of 
their marriage on October 26th, 2007. The institution of marriage is 
one of the most sacred, cherished and effective traditions in society, 
and I am pleased today to pause and offer my congratulations to Greg, 
and best wishes to Laurie, as they approach this important milestone in 
their lives.
  Greg and Laurie have been longtime companions and soul-mates, and 
they both cherish their proud heritage as lifelong residents of New 
Orleans, Louisiana. Side by side, in steadfast support of one another, 
they have celebrated the best of times, and weathered the worst of 
storms, as survivors of Hurricane Katrina.
  In September of 2005, Greg and Laurie were each living the American 
Dream of home ownership, and Laurie owned a rental property as well, 
all in the Lakeview neighborhood of New Orleans. Although they were 
both able to evacuate in the days before the storm, they had to leave 
behind a lifetime of possessions in the homes they loved so much. By 
the time they were able to return, they found their homes defiantly 
still standing, but the structures and entire contents, were a total 
loss. All 3 houses, wiped out in a single day.
  In December of 2005, my wife and I decided to celebrate our first 
wedding anniversary in New Orleans. And we decided to drive from 
southern West Virginia to southern Louisiana, so that we could better 
appreciate the storm's damage to the entire region. We went to New 
Orleans to show our support for the community in some small way, and to 
personally tell any survivors that we could find, that they had not 
been forgotten. '
  It was on that visit that I came to know Greg Gasperecz and Laurie 
Conner, in what had to be the bleakest period of their lives. They were 
just beginning to comprehend the totality of their personal loss, and 
that of their beloved hometown. Yet they spent an entire day and 
evening, offering us an extended tour of the affected areas, including 
their homes, and they proudly took us on a tour of the unmistakable 
French Quarter; which was still proudly vibrant under the dire 
circumstances that persisted. That day, we stood atop the sandbags that 
had been dropped 3 months earlier at the breech of the 17th Street 
Canal, a stream of lake water still slowly spreading into the street 
below. Greg offered his insight and expertise as he explained the 
environmental implications of both the cause and the effects of the 
disaster.
  Greg and Laurie had so much to be sad about at that time, but they 
were still the most charming hosts for which the city could ever hope. 
I was touched by their pride and compassion, and inspired by their 
stoic resolve to remain and to rebuild. And 2 years later, rebuild they 
have. It is my understanding that in the last week, they have finally 
been able to begin construction on a brand new home, in their same 
Lakeview neighborhood. And this week, in their beloved French Quarter, 
they will stand before their loved ones and recite their vows of 
marriage to one another. Greg and Laurie realize that they have been 
blessed; to have each other, to have survived this epic disaster, and 
to have been able to rebuild their home and their lives. They don't 
take any of that for granted, instead, have chosen to recommit to 
rebuilding their community, and give back to the city that has given 
them so much. This is so characteristic of the proud and tough West 
Virginia work ethic and belief in God.
  Madam Speaker, I close my remarks today with congratulations to Greg 
and Laurie. I ask that you join me in wishing them well, and trust that 
they will have many happy years together in New Orleans, LA.

                          ____________________