[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 88 (Monday, June 14, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H4397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING FLASH FLOOD VICTIMS

  (Mr. ROSS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, in the early morning hours of Friday, June 11, 
a sudden and devastating flash flood swept through the Albert Pike 
campground in southwest Arkansas. In just 4 short hours, the Little 
Missouri River along the Ouachita National Forest rose from 3 feet to 
23 feet.
  The flood swept away tents, RVs and homes, and, tragically, took 20 
lives, including many children, making it one of Arkansas's deadliest 
flash floods in a generation. However, this tragedy's impact is far-
reaching, as many of the victims were from surrounding States, 
including from Congressman Hall's district in Texas and from 
Congressman Fleming's district in Louisiana. They join me here this 
evening as we remember those who died in this flood.
  I also want to commend the outstanding work of our first responders--
local, State, Federal--and fellow Arkansans who reacted without 
hesitation and rescued literally dozens of people from the debris and 
rushing waters. This weekend, I, along with Agriculture Secretary Tom 
Vilsack, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell and Senators Blanche 
Lincoln and Mark Pryor, saw the devastation firsthand and spoke with 
families who lost loved ones.
  My deepest thoughts and prayers and those of all Arkansans and all 
Americans are with the families who lost loved ones in these 
destructive flash floods.
  Mr. Speaker, I join Congressman Hall and Congressman Fleming in 
asking that the House now observe a moment of silence in remembrance of 
each and every life we lost in this tragedy.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members will rise and observe a moment of 
silence.

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