[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 195 (Wednesday, December 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  HONORING LOCAL AND STATE FIRST RESPONDERS, AND THE CITIZENS OF THE 
 PACIFIC NORTHWEST IN FACING THE SEVERE WINTER STORM OF DECEMBER 2 AND 
                                3, 2007

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                               speech of

                          HON. DARLENE HOOLEY

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 17, 2007

  Ms. HOOLEY. Madam Speaker, although much work is left to be done as 
our communities start to recover from the severe storms that ravaged 
Oregon and Washington on December 2 and 3, 2007, we can reflect and be 
grateful for the hard work of the thousands of our fellow Pacific 
Northwesterners who helped neighbors, families, and complete strangers 
during the storms and their aftermath. Without their efforts, the 
damage and loss of life from the storm may have been much more 
extensive.
  We were all shocked by the devastating impact that these storms 
wreaked on Oregon. More than 10 inches of rain fell in a 24-hour period 
with wind gusts ranging from 60 to 129 miles an hour. Communities along 
the coast were inundated, families huddled in shelters as homes were 
destroyed and the coast was cut off from the rest of Oregon as roads 
and bridges were washed out. Among the stark reminders of the terrible 
power of these storms are crippled railroad tracks and bridges in 
Tillamook County, damage to the National Guard Armory in Dallas and the 
flooding of most of the town of Vernonia as well as other communities 
up and down the coast.
  Thankfully, first responders and ordinary citizens moved quickly to 
help their fellow Oregonians cope with the storm. Rescuers in one case 
used chainsaws and dodged falling trees to clear the way for an 
ambulance. Two Tillamook men also risked their lives to try and save a 
woman whose truck went into the Nehalem River on Highway 101. These are 
just two of the numerous stories of bravery by first responders and 
Good Samaritans who stepped up to help those impacted by the storm. 
Selfless Oregonians from across the State came to help in what turned 
out to be a spectacular response effort. It has been incredible to see 
the extraordinary efforts of so many.
  I want to personally thank everyone who was involved. Their heroic 
service to our communities has been extraordinary and their efforts are 
deeply appreciated. I also want to extend my deepest sympathy to those 
whose family, friends, and loved ones perished in the storms. It is a 
tragedy that these individuals were taken from us in these terrible 
storms. My thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends at 
this difficult time.

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