[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 97 (Thursday, June 12, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S5590]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    LOSS OF LIFE DURING IOWA TORNADO

  Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to express my 
heartfelt sympathies for the families of four young Boy Scouts who lost 
their lives, and 48 other who were injured, in a terrible storm and 
tornado which struck last night just across the border from Nebraska in 
my neighboring state of Iowa.
  Josh Fennen, 13; Sam Thomsen, 13; and Ben Petrzilka, 14--all of 
Omaha, Nebraska--and Aaron Eilerts, 14, of Eagle Grove, IA, were on 
what should have been a fun-filled camping trip with their Boy Scouts 
of America troop in a beautiful and rugged area not far from Omaha when 
this terrible weather hit their campsite.
  At this somber time, I would like to recognize the heroism of the 
Scouts who came to the aid of those injured yesterday. You have the 
admiration of our entire State; your heroism and courage are in the 
finest tradition of Scouting. As an Eagle Scout, my thoughts go out to 
the entire Boy Scouts of America organization--nowhere is the sense of 
brotherhood so deep as with this wonderful group. While it is a dark 
hour for the Scouts, the character, strength, and sense of duty of 
these brave young men will help carry them through this tragedy.
  Midwesterners are accustomed to violent weather, but we will never be 
accustomed to the tragic loss of life it sometimes brings. My thoughts 
and prayers are with these young victims and their families.

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