[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 171 (Tuesday, November 6, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H12764-H12766]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING SYMPATHY FOR VICTIMS OF OCTOBER 28, 2007, FIRE IN OCEAN ISLE 
                         BEACH, NORTH CAROLINA

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 787) expressing the support and sympathy of the 
House of Representatives and the people of the United States for the 
victims of the tragic fire that occurred in Ocean Isle Beach, North 
Carolina, on October 28, 2007.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 787

       Whereas in the early morning of October 28, 2007, flames 
     broke out at a beach house in Ocean Isle Beach, North 
     Carolina;
       Whereas the fire spread quickly and took the lives of seven 
     college students, six attended the University of South 
     Carolina and one went to Clemson University: Lauren Mahon of 
     Simpsonville, South Carolina; Allison Walden of Chagrin 
     Falls, Ohio; Travis Cale, Justin Anderson and Emily Yelton of 
     Greenville, South Carolina; William Rhea of Florence, South 
     Carolina, and Cassidy Pendley of Chapin, South Carolina;
       Whereas 6 University of South Carolina students were 
     injured while escaping the flames and were treated at 
     Brunswick Community Hospital;
       Whereas local community members rushed to alert and assist 
     emergency personnel to support the students and their 
     families in the aftermath of the tragedy;
       Whereas firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and 
     other emergency personnel from the surrounding communities 
     responded quickly and worked bravely to rescue the injured 
     and extinguish the fire;
       Whereas the State of North Carolina and local government 
     officials responded to the fire and its aftermath quickly, 
     effectively, and compassionately;
       Whereas the immediate outpouring of support, assistance and 
     compassion from the Nation and South Carolinians is greatly 
     appreciated; and
       Whereas the students, faculty, staff, and officials at 
     Clemson University and University of South Carolina have come 
     together as a university community to remember the fallen 
     students and provide strength and support to its respective 
     campuses through this difficult time: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) expresses its deepest condolences to the families and 
     friends of Lauren Mahon, Allison Walden, Travis Cale, Justin 
     Anderson, Emily Yelton, William Rhea, and Cassidy Pendley; 
     and offers its hope for the quick and full recovery of those 
     students who were injured in the fire;
       (2) expresses immense gratitude for the efforts of 
     countless emergency response personnel, local, State, and 
     Federal officials, health care providers, volunteers, and 
     citizens who have been part of the response; and
       (3) expresses its support for all of the students, faculty, 
     administration, and staff at the University of South Carolina 
     and Clemson University as they heal from this tragedy.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Jordan) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on 
Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in 
the consideration of H. Res. 787 which expresses the support and 
sympathy of the House of Representatives of the people of the United 
States for the victims of the tragic fire recently that occurred in 
Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. House Resolution 787, which has 66 
cosponsors, was introduced by my friend and colleague Mr. James 
Clyburn.
  Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, October 28, 2007, seven college students 
perished in a fire in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. They were 
victims of an early morning fire that engulfed a two-story house. There 
were also six survivors who were hospitalized but later released.
  Of the seven students who perished, six were from the University of 
South Carolina, and one was from Clemson University.
  We in this Congress express our heartfelt sympathy for the victims, 
their families and the campus communities that have been affected.

                              {time}  1215

  These students were among our best and brightest. Their striving, 
their aspirations, and the hope and support of their families, 
especially their parents, for their future embodies a shining example 
of what is best about America.
  The Ocean Isle Beach's fire claimed the precious lives of seven young 
people who had so much to live for and so much to give. We express our 
deepest sympathy to the victims and their families.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Jim Clyburn for 
seeking to express the deepest sympathy of the House of Representatives 
on this sad occasion, and I urge the swift passage of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise to mourn the passing of seven 
of this Nation's young students. On the morning of October 28, 2007, a 
fire quickly swept through the beach house in Ocean Isle Beach, North 
Carolina, where they were spending a weekend.
  Six of the seven were students at the University of South Carolina. 
The seventh attended Clemson. All were filled with much promise.
  With this in mind, I express my deepest condolences to the friends 
and families of the seven. Rest assured that you are in all of our 
thoughts and prayers.
  I would also like to take this opportunity to commend the entire 
community of Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, for its response to this 
tragedy. From the very onset of the flames, local citizens rushed to 
alert and assist

[[Page H12765]]

emergency responders. These responders then worked bravely to rescue 
those trapped inside, aid the injured, and extinguish the fire.
  Unfortunately, the blaze was too powerful and claimed seven young 
lives. However, without the adept response of all involved, the tragic 
toll of this blaze would have surely been higher. It is with all this 
in mind that I would like to take this opportunity to commend those 
involved in the response. Our sincere gratitude goes out to all of you.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my 
friend and colleague, Mr. James Clyburn, of South Carolina.
  Mr. CLYBURN. I thank my colleague for yielding me the time.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution memorializes and commemorates the lives 
of seven students from the University of South Carolina and Clemson 
University who perished in last week's tragic beach house fire in Ocean 
Isle Beach, North Carolina.
  I proudly represent the University of South Carolina, and I rise to 
thank the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for its 
prompt action on this resolution and to once again extend my deepest 
condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those 
University of South Carolina and Clemson students who we lost in this 
unfortunate event. They should all know that we will continue to keep 
them and their loved ones in our prayers as they mourn their tremendous 
loss.
  There's little that we cherish more than seeing our children and 
grandchildren go off to school seeking to acquire the knowledge and 
skills that they will need to pursue their dreams and aspirations. It 
is an incredible feeling. And to have that promise cut short in such a 
dramatic and tragic way is probably more than anyone who has not had 
the experience can possibly imagine.
  As we mourn with the University of South Carolina and Clemson 
University communities at this solemn time, we should all take some 
solace in knowing that these young people represented the best of our 
hopes and dreams for the future. Through their extracurricular 
activities and academic successes, they served as strong role models 
for future generations and as sources of pride for their families and 
friends. It is only fitting that we honor them for being the bright 
beacons of light that they were and that their loved ones will always 
remember them as being.
  No words or sympathetic sentiments will ever undo the tragic loss 
endured by the University of South Carolina and Clemson communities. 
However, by passing this resolution, it is my hope that these 
communities understand that this congressional body stands in unison in 
offering our prayers and condolences.
  May God bless all those affected by this tragedy.
  Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Barrett).
  Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, on October 28, 2007, a tragic and accidental fire in 
Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, claimed seven very young lives. Six 
of the victims were students at the University of South Carolina: 
Cassidy Fae Pendley, Lauren Astrid Kristiana Mahon, Justin Michael 
Anderson, Travis Lane Cale, Allison Walden, William Rhea. One of the 
victims, Emily Lauren Yelton, was a sophomore at Clemson University, a 
graduate of J.L. Mann High School in Greenville, a member of the Delta 
Zeta sorority and a member of Young Life of Greenville.
  These brilliant young college students were sisters, brothers, 
devoted sons and daughters, athletes, instructors, friends, volunteers, 
coaches, and leaders. Family members and friends have recounted how 
each one has given support, made a difference and brightened people's 
lives.
  I stand here today to support H. Res. 787, which is a resolution 
sponsored by Congressman Jim Clyburn to express much-needed support for 
those fire victims.
  I would also like to recognize and offer sympathy to the victims' 
families and let them know that South Carolina and the people of this 
Nation, Mr. Speaker, will always honor those names that we loved and 
lost.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McIntyre).
  Mr. McINTYRE. I thank the gentleman.
  I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 787, which my friend and 
colleague Representative Jim Clyburn of South Carolina has filed and 
which expresses the support and sympathy of the House of 
Representatives and the people of the United States for the victims of 
the tragic fire that occurred in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, 
about 10 days ago on October 28.
  As you may know, I represent the town of Ocean Isle Beach; and like 
all of my constituents, I was saddened by the events that took place 
just a few days ago.
  Ocean Isle Beach is a family community, a place many do love to come 
and spend time with friends, and the loss of seven college students and 
injuries by six more indeed was a tragic turn of events that brought 
this small beach town, the State of North Carolina, and our neighbor, 
the State of South Carolina where the students were in school, and this 
Nation to its knees.
  I'm honored to support this essential and timely measure which also 
expresses gratitude for the efforts of all the emergency personnel, law 
enforcement, fire and rescue that were involved in this horrific 
situation, and our gratitude to Mayor Debbie Smith and the other local 
officials in that community, as well as to the Brunswick County 
officials and other community members and private citizens that 
responded to the fire and that reached out to help those in need and 
the families that were affected by this tragic situation.
  As we gather today to express our condolences to the families and 
friends of the students that perished and as we offer our hope for the 
full recovery of the students that were injured, I urge all of us to 
reflect on the importance of these individuals' lives and express our 
sympathies to those families who will carry this loss with them.
  Mr. Speaker, we're a strong Nation. Ocean Isle Beach is a strong 
community. And I know that events like the fire on October 28 will 
demonstrate even more our strength and our unity in times of tragedy.
  May we all stand here in this body today, indeed may we all stand as 
a Nation together, in remembrance of these students and pledge our 
commitment to their families and friends. We pray for God's comfort, 
His peace and His strength to be with them always.
  Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson).
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. 
Clyburn and my colleagues for bringing this resolution to the floor.
  I'm deeply saddened by the circumstances we're addressing today. As 
we have all learned, seven students were killed in a house fire that 
took place at Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, over a week ago. This 
tragic accident reminds us all how precious life is, and I want to 
express my condolences to the families and friends of these students.
  As a University of South Carolina Law School graduate and a parent of 
a current Clemson student, I've grown to know the strength and 
character of these communities. I have had the privilege of getting to 
know many of their students, faculty, and administrators all my life. 
Under the leadership of USC president Andrew Sorensen and Clemson 
president Jim Barker, the students and families of these two 
universities have found comfort and kinship during this difficult time.
  I also want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the Sigma Alpha 
Epsilon fraternity and the Delta Delta Delta sorority who lost members 
in this tragic fire. My father and my mother were members of these two 
USC organizations respectively; and as a member of a fraternity, with 
three sons in a fraternity, I know the bond that these students and 
alumni feel for one another and the grief they are experiencing.
  South Carolina's media have been very thoughtful, respectful, and 
helpful in providing tributes to the students.

[[Page H12766]]

  Today, we offer our support and comfort to the students who were 
injured in this terrible accident. We will continue to pray for their 
full and speedy recovery.
  Additionally, we must recognize the brave members of the local fire 
departments and emergency personnel, as well as the Ocean Isle Beach 
citizens who responded to the fire and called for help.
  Again, I want to thank my colleague and long-time friend Congressman 
Jim Clyburn for bringing this resolution to the floor.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, more than 600 people 
gathered at Federated Church in Chagrin Falls OH, to mourn the loss of 
Allison Walden, 19, a 2006 graduate of Chagrin Falls High School and 
the daughter of Terry and Diane Walden of Chagrin Falls.
  Allison was one of seven students to die in the tragic beach house 
fire in North Carolina.
  Her father, Terry, said she was a wonderful girl and full of life. 
She had a scholarship to University of South Carolina, where she was a 
sophomore studymg pre-med and a member of the Delta Delta Delta 
sorority. She had planned to return to her beloved Chagrin Falls after 
graduation and study anesthesiology at Case Western Reserve University.
  This senseless fire that took the lives of seven wonderful young 
people capped a very difficult year for the Walden family.
  Their son, Greg, a 2005 Chagrin Falls graduate, is a student at 
Virginia Tech and was there in April when a deranged student shot up 
the campus, killing 33 people Fortunately, Greg, an honors engineering 
student, was unharmed in that horrific attack. I can't imagine as a 
parent going through that, and then losing your only daughter just five 
months later in another tragedy. It is just unspeakably cruel.
  As their father said, ``What is the chance that out of all the 
schools in the country that our children would go where tragic events 
unfold?''
  On behalf of the 14th Congressional District, my sympathies go to the 
Walden family on their horrible loss, and may they find comfort in 
their family, friends, faith and community.
  Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 787.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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