[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 97 (Thursday, June 12, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING EMERGENCY MANAGERS IN RUSH COUNTY

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                            HON. MIKE PENCE

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2008

  Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and recognize the 
extraordinary contributions of emergency management, disaster response, 
and recovery personnel as well as elected officials and community 
leaders in my district devastated by the recent severe weather in 
Indiana.
  I wish particularly to honor these outstanding individuals in Rush 
County: 1. Mike Ooley, Director, Emergency Management Agency; 2. Jeff 
Sherwood, Sheriff; 3. Brad Smith, CEO, Rush Memorial Hospital; 4. Merv 
Bostic, Mayor, Rushville.
  These areas suffered greatly from tornadoes, heavy rains and 
flooding, creating a catastrophe that awaits a presidential response. 
But the catastrophe did not await the efforts of these individuals. And 
in response, they went above and beyond the call of duty, showing great 
poise while saving many lives and serving the people of their 
communities.
  I also commend Governor Mitch Daniels and the many State government 
authorities who have been so instrumental in leading the State through 
this crisis. I strongly support Indiana's three requests for Federal 
aid and renew my request to the President of the United States, the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture to act promptly, make assessments, and declare an expedited 
major disaster for all 44 counties in the State of Indiana affected by 
the severe weather.
  We need to speed the necessary relief to the families who have fallen 
victim to Mother Nature's fury and extend full Federal assistance to 
Hoosier families, businesses and farms to include direct assistance to 
individuals, Small Business Administration Disaster Loans and emergency 
assistance loans from the Farm Service Agency.
  Madam Speaker, Hoosier families and communities are hurting and need 
to know that help is on the way. I urge this Administration and my 
colleagues to focus their attention on this urgent Midwestern need for 
emergency relief.

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