[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 24, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E475]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING SOUTH DAKOTANS FIGHTING WIDESPREAD FLOODING

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. STEPHANIE HERSETH SANDLIN

                            of south dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 24, 2010

  Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the many South Dakotans who have helped fight the effects of widespread 
flooding throughout the northeast and southeast portions of the state 
in recent weeks.
  About one month ago, South Dakota faced the threat of significant 
damage and cost due to flooding. The northeast and southeast portions 
of the state had high water tables and the winter's snow was beginning 
to melt. That meant rising water on our rivers and creeks and a danger 
of flooding that threatened our agricultural economy, roads and homes.
  But South Dakotans didn't flinch in the face of these developments. 
Instead they banded together as they always do and developed plans to 
mitigate the worst of the dangers and deal with the smaller 
inconveniences.
  County emergency managers worked with state officials from the 
Department of Public Safety and Office of Emergency Management. Red 
Cross volunteers worked with mayors of small towns. The National Guard 
mobilized to help the city of Aberdeen, and the Civil Air Patrol 
scouted flood damage from the air. Local law enforcement officials and 
the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, as well as the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department, patrolled and offered assistance to 
those in danger. And neighbors worked with and for each other, filling 
sandbags to protect their homes and their communities.
  Our federal partners did their share as well. The Federal Emergency 
Management Agency helped train state Office of Emergency Management 
staff in the weeks before the heaviest flood activities and has already 
begun assisting the state in planning for recovery operations. The U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers stepped up with a levee project to protect the 
city of Watertown, completing it on time and amidst concerns over 
flooding.
  Today, I am proud to report that, while the danger is not entirely 
past and there remains much recovery work to do, South Dakota once 
again has come together to successfully meet a challenge head on.
  We still have some roads closed, dozens of homes suffered some 
flooding damage and it may be some time until we can determine the 
extent of the damage. But we have, so far, avoided the kinds of 
catastrophic damage that was feared.
  Madam Speaker, I remain proud as ever to represent the people of 
South Dakota and their enduring ability to rise to whatever challenge 
they must. I offer my sincere thanks to all who worked so hard to limit 
the effects of this flooding.

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