[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 24, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE HEROISM OF THE SEVEN AND/DEPLOYED TO HAITI

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 2010

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer my 
support for H. Res. 1059, honoring the bravery and heroism of our local 
urban search and rescue teams for their lifesaving efforts in Haiti.
  The earthquake of January 12, 2010 was a horrific event that wreaked 
untold devastation and tremendous loss of life on Port-au-Prince and 
its surrounding areas. In a matter of minutes, 200,000 people lost 
their lives. It was a sobering reminder of how fragile life is. The 
response, worldwide, to this awful tragedy has been a comforting 
reminder of our resilience and willingness to lend aid and hope to 
those in need.
  The men and women of the Fairfax County, Virginia, New York City, Los 
Angeles, Miami, Miami-Dade and Virginia Beach urban search and rescue 
teams immediately left for Haiti, risking their own lives to save 
others. Day in and day out, these men and women serve their local 
communities, providing lifesaving care at home, but when there are 
people in great need, America's local urban search and rescue teams 
always rush to answer the call. During the initial days after the 
quake, these men and women brought relief to worried families and hope 
to an anxious nation with daily rescues from the rubble.
  We should all be thankful for their efforts, and I am especially 
proud of Virginia Task Force 1 from Fairfax, which I represent. During 
its time in Haiti, Virginia Task Force 1 participated in the rescue of 
16 people. While the untold loss of life was horrific, the efforts of 
all of our urban search and rescue teams made a difference.
  I continue to offer my deepest sympathy to the people of Haiti as 
they cope with the aftermath of this terrible tragedy. I commend the 
heroic men and women of Virginia Task Force 1, and all our urban search 
and rescue teams, for so richly embodying the American spirit that says 
if you are in need, we will help. I urge my colleagues to support this 
resolution.

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