[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 31 (Monday, February 23, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2363-S2364]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING KENTUCKY'S FIRST RESPONDERS

 Mr. BUNNING. Madam President, for the last month the attention 
of the Senate has been focused on the Nation's economic troubles. 
However, while this is very important legislation, my attention has 
also been focused on the thousands of Kentuckians who were impacted by 
the ice storm in my State.
  This storm caused the greatest electrical outage in Kentucky history, 
with over 600,000 people losing power and forcing many to evacuate 
their homes. Of the 120 counties in Kentucky, 91 were forced to declare 
a state of emergency. In response, the Kentucky governor was forced to 
call up 4,600 National Guard troops to assist our first responders. 
This was the largest mobilization of the Guard in our State's history. 
This situation could have been much worse if not for the efforts of 
Kentucky's public safety officials and the Kentucky National Guard. 
These individuals worked around the clock to ensure that their 
neighbors had the help they needed during this crisis.
  There are many stories of people going beyond the call of duty to 
assist their fellow citizens. National Guard units went door to door to 
ensure that people had all the supplies they needed until power was 
restored. Volunteers kept open shelters and soup kitchens to make sure 
families had places to sleep and eat. All of these unsung heroes have 
my respect and admiration.
  In closing I am grateful for the efforts of all the first responders 
across my State including the many volunteers from the Salvation Army, 
Red Cross, and countless other volunteer organizations that helped to 
limit the devastation caused by this storm. While I wish that this 
disaster had never occurred, I am very proud of the way all Kentuckians 
banded together to support each other during this time of need.

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