[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 9, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND TEAM IN HAITI

  Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I rise today to extend my 
gratitude to GEN Douglas M. Fraser, Commander, and the men and women 
serving within the U.S. Southern Command, SOUTHCOM, for what was a true 
act of heroism. Certainly, all the members of America's great military 
exemplify a ``can do'' spirit and selfless service to our Nation each 
and every day. And, as we all know full well, our military has ever-
changing missions; yet the men and women of our armed services 
demonstrate time and again their ability to adapt and perform, as is 
the case with America's most recent humanitarian mission in Haiti.
  Recently, staff from Creighton University in my home State of 
Nebraska sought emergency assistance for some critical patients in 
Jimani, Haiti. The Creighton medical team on the ground there needed a 
rapid response for these Haitian patients, but they were unable to 
connect with any support agencies in the region to get the immediate 
attention this situation required.
  The team at SOUTHCOM quickly saved the day, airlifting these 
critically injured patients from Jimani to Milot, Haiti, where they 
could be properly treated. The entire American and international teams 
in Haiti have saved an untold and incalculable number of lives since 
the devastating earthquake, but I would be remiss if I did not 
highlight the incredible effort by the men and women of SOUTHCOM. The 
servicemembers under General Fraser's command managed to evacuate 37 
patients and their families over the course of January 31 and February 
1, 2010; and these individuals will be forever grateful to the men and 
woman of America's military for saving their lives.
  All Americans should recognize this valiant effort by the members of 
SOUTHCOM. General Fraser showed great leadership in overseeing this 
mission, and the courageous service of the men and women at SOUTHCOM 
has the gratitude of not only the medical team and others from 
Creighton University, but the people of Haiti as well. You are all a 
credit to our Nation.

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