[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 99 (Tuesday, June 29, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H4939-H4941]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING HEROIC EFFORTS OF WEST VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD AND LOCAL
RESPONDERS
Mr. CRITZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 1153) recognizing the heroic efforts of the West
Virginia National Guard and local responders for their work rescuing 17
individuals from a downed military helicopter on a rugged, snow-covered
mountain on the Pocahontas-Randolph county line.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1153
Whereas the West Virginia National Guard and local
responders safely and successfully rescued 17 individuals
from a downed military helicopter on a rugged, snow-covered
mountain on the Pocahontas-Randolph county line;
Whereas, on February 18, 2010, the West Virginia Army
National Guard HH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, gallantly piloted
by Bluefield, West Virginia, native Major Kevin Hazuka,
located the downed aircraft in extremely adverse weather
conditions;
Whereas two West Virginia Army National Guard Flight
Medics, SSG Nicole Hopkins and SPC Casey Dunfee, were lowered
to the landing site to assess the situation and to provide
assistance to the injured through the night while emergency
response and rescue teams worked their way to the survivors;
Whereas a C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 130th Airlift
Wing of the West Virginia Air National Guard orbited the
crash site to facilitate communications;
Whereas Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort provided two snowcats
and personnel that were invaluable to the safe evacuation of
the injured;
Whereas local West Virginia civilians generously donated
the use of their snowmobiles that enabled first responders to
reach the site;
Whereas a Shavers Fork Volunteer Fire and Rescue Unit went
as far as they could with special equipment and snowmobiles
along a railroad grade to where it was still about a 45-
minute trek in 5 feet of snow, straight up the side of a
mountain with an approximate 50-degree pitch;
Whereas Valley Head Fire Department, Northern Greenbrier
EMS, Greenbrier County Ambulance, White Sulphur Springs EMS,
Cass Rescue, and Greenbank National Radio Astronomy
Observatory operations staff all provided direct critical
support for the effort;
Whereas the Pocahontas County Emergency Management, West
Virginia State Police, Pocohantas County Sheriff's
Department, Pocohantas County 911, and the U.S. Forest
Service provided coordination and support efforts; and
Whereas the Bartow-Frank-Durbin Volunteer Fire and Rescue
attempted an approach to the crash sight from the North side
with support from State of West Virginia Departments of
Natural Resources and Highways, neighboring Randolph and
Tucker County Sheriff Departments and EMS units, Elkins,
Harmon, and Huttonsville/Mill Creek Volunteer Fire
Departments, and the American Red Cross: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) honors the heroic efforts of the West Virginia National
Guard and local first responders;
(2) recognizes the countless volunteers, families, and
neighbors who assisted in rescuing the 17 individuals; and
(3) recognizes the courage, ability, incredible
determination, and willingness of West Virginians to lend a
neighborly hand.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Critz) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Bartlett)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
General Leave
Mr. CRITZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have
5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on
the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
There was no objection.
Mr. CRITZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1153,
recognizing the heroic efforts of the West Virginia National Guard and
local responders for their work rescuing 17 people from a downed
military helicopter on a rocky, snow-covered mountain on the
Pocahontas-Randolph county line. I would like to thank my colleague
from West Virginia, Mr. Rahall, for putting this resolution together.
[[Page H4940]]
Mr. Speaker, I would like to spend this time recognizing the
individuals and organizations involved in the execution of this
tremendous rescue.
On February 18, 2010, a West Virginia Army National Guard HH-60
Blackhawk helicopter, skillfully piloted by a native of Bluefield, West
Virginia, Major Kevin Hazuka, located the downed aircraft in extremely
difficult circumstances. The snow and ice of the Pocahontas-Randolph
county line at the time was treacherous, and the valor of Major Kevin
Hazuka should be commended by all.
I would like to commend Staff Sergeant Nicole Hopkins and Specialist
Casey Dunfee, two West Virginia Army National Guard flight medics.
Sergeant Hopkins and Specialist Dunfee were lowered to the site in
order to provide medical care throughout the night as rescue workers
labored their way to the survivors.
Thanks are also deserved to the pilot of the 130th Airlift Wing of
the West Virginia National Guard who assisted by orbiting the crash
site in a C-130 Hercules aircraft in order to facilitate vital
communication.
Volunteers, civilians, service men and women alike all gave a hand to
help rescue the survivors. The Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort assisted by
providing invaluable machinery and staff to help evacuate the injured.
Local West Virginians helped by donating snowmobiles that enabled
first responders to reach the site. The Shavers Fork Volunteer Fire and
Rescue Unit was instrumental in using special equipment and snowmobiles
to clear a path to the location of the crash.
The Valley Head Fire Department, Northern Greenbrier EMS, Greenbrier
County Ambulance, White Sulphur Springs EMS, Cass Rescue, and Greenbank
National Radio Astronomy Observatory staff all provided extremely vital
support for the effort. In addition, the Pocahontas County Emergency
Management, West Virginia State Police, Pocahontas County Sheriff's
Department, Pocahontas County 911, and the U.S. Forest Service also
lent a hand in order to help assist the victims of the crash. The
coordination and support they provided was also invaluable.
Finally, the Bartow-Frank-Durbin Volunteer Fire and Rescue made a
valiant attempt to approach the crash site from the north side with
support from the State of West Virginia Departments of Natural
Resources and Highways, neighboring Randolph and Tucker County Sheriff
Departments and EMS units, Elkins, Harmon, and Huttonsville-Mill Creek
Volunteer Fire Departments, and the American Red Cross.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution acknowledges and thanks the West
Virginia National Guard, local first responders, and volunteers around
the area for their successful efforts to rescue the 17 individuals.
House Resolution 1153 recognizes the courage, ability, and
determination of West Virginians.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BARTLETT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1153, which
recognizes the heroic efforts of the West Virginia National Guard and
local responders for rescuing 17 persons from a Navy helicopter that
crashed in the wintry mountains of that State in February of this year.
I want to commend Representative Nick Rahall for sponsoring this
legislation.
This incident, precipitated when a Navy helicopter was forced down in
remote mountainous terrain, exemplifies all that is best about the
National Guard and its ability to work cooperatively and effectively
with local civilian responders in crisis situations.
Without the rapid, integrated response of the West Virginia Army and
Air National Guard, the volunteer efforts of local citizens, the
support of local emergency management services, and perseverance of
State and local fire and rescue services and agencies, 17 people could
have died from their injuries and from exposure. Thankfully, there were
people at every level of government who were trained, equipped, and
prepared to respond.
This resolution specifically honors those citizens of West Virginia,
but it should also remind each Member to express appreciation to the
people in our own States and districts, selfless Americans who
willingly sacrifice their comfort and safety for others.
In my own district and State, Guards men and women have adopted a
flexible ``plug and play'' organization model that enables members to
report to the closest armory in time of emergency, thereby minimizing
the overall response time during events like the unprecedented
snowfalls we experienced this winter. Their round-the-clock vigilance
exemplifies the spirit of the National Guard emergency personnel at all
levels of government.
{time} 1440
Thus it is fitting that we honor and thank the soldiers and airmen of
the National Guard as well as the first responders and emergency and
rescue personnel across our Nation, who, when disaster and tragedy
strike, step forward to save and serve their fellow citizens. I urge
all Members to support this resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CRITZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my
friend and colleague and the sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman
from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall).
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I first commend the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Critz) for his invaluable support in helping us bring
this resolution to the floor today. I know that it is a special
recognition to a special group of people. I do support the heroic
efforts of our West Virginia National Guard and our local responders
and would urge all of my colleagues to support the pending resolution,
H. Res. 1153.
I have personally visited with the National Guard members mentioned
herein and the local responders and members of the Bartow, Frank, and
Durbin communities' Volunteer Fire Departments in Pocahontas County a
couple months ago. On Thursday, February 18, 2010, earlier this year,
the heroic actions of West Virginians brought about the highly
successful rescue of 17 military personnel who were on board a U.S.
Navy helicopter participating in the Operation Southbound Trooper X
annual military exercise, which went down in deep, snow-covered, and
very rugged terrain in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.
The remarkable rescue was an outstanding and highly coordinated
effort on the part of many highly trained professionals as well as
private citizens, who worked under very difficult conditions to reach
the crew and personnel on board the aircraft, many of whom had been
injured in the crash. West Virginians are the best neighbors for whom
you could ever wish. It is a truth that has been proven time and again.
This historic rescue effort was, thankfully, a rare event, but it was
not at all out of character for our State of West Virginia. In fact, it
was merely illustrative of the best of our State.
The swift response, the astounding skills and abilities, the enormous
courage, and profound determination of all those involved in the rescue
operation, from those who serve in and lead our West Virginia National
Guard to our local fire, rescue, law enforcement, and first responder
units, and the countless volunteers, families, and neighbors nearby,
most certainly made the difference between life and death. While no
expression of gratitude would ever be sought for such selfless acts,
the hope that one good turn deserves another never dims with our West
Virginians.
On behalf of my fellow West Virginians and on behalf of my colleague
from the neighboring congressional district, Representative Shelley
Moore Capito, we are pleased to support H. Res. 1153, to honor these
good deeds and to illuminate them as a beacon for others. I would ask
that my fellow Members join in support of this resolution. I, again,
thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Critz) for his invaluable
support as well.
Mr. BARTLETT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to
the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito), an original sponsor
of this resolution.
Mrs. CAPITO. I'd like to thank my friend from Maryland for
recognizing me. I'd particularly like to thank my fellow member of the
delegation, Mr. Rahall, for bringing House Resolution 1153 forward. The
occurrence of this crash straddled two of our counties. His is
Pocahontas and mine is Randolph. We both know very well that we
[[Page H4941]]
don't call West Virginia ``Wild and Wonderful'' for no reason. This is
one of the wildest parts of our beautiful State. And so I want to offer
my congratulations to the brave men and women of the 130th Airlift
Wing, which is headquartered in Charleston, West Virginia, in my
district, and all the first responders and citizens who helped with
this rescue.
As we've heard, Major Hazuka of Bluefield, West Virginia, of the
130th Airlift Wing of the National Guard, discovered the Navy Kittyhawk
helicopter which had crashed over Randolph and Pocahontas Counties in
terrible weather conditions. They acted very, very quickly. I would
also like to honor Army National Guard Flight Medics Staff Sergeant
Nicole Hopkins and Specialist Casey Dunfee, who were lowered to the
landing site to give emergency medical care and to help coordinate the
efforts.
The 130th Airlift Wing represents the best of West Virginia, and
their heroic response to this crash further establishes their
importance to this State. As my colleague from West Virginia so
eloquently put it, it didn't surprise any of us. This unit and those
around our State and around this Nation are known for their willingness
to step up when they're most needed. But the terrain and the weather on
that particular day was incredibly dangerous.
I know my colleague from Pennsylvania mentioned all of the different
units of first responders that responded that day, but I would like to
repeat their names: the West Virginia Civil Air Patrol, the Valley Head
Fire Department, the Northern Greenbrier EMS, Greenbrier County
Ambulance, White Sulfur Springs EMS, Cass Rescue, and the Greenbank
National Radio Astronomy Observatory, which is very close in
Pocahontas. I'd also like to thank the Snowshoe Resort for their
willingness to share equipment. We also had the Pocahontas County
Emergency Management, West Virginia State Police, Pocahontas County
Sheriffs Department, Pocahontas County 9/11, U.S. Forest Service,
Bartow-Frank-Durbin Volunteer Fire and Rescue, along with the
Department of Natural Resources and sheriff departments from the
surrounding areas.
As you can see, it was a collegial effort, an enormous effort, and
one that when we first received the news of this accident over our
local television and radio stations, really had us on the edge of our
seats because I think we knew how treacherous a rescue in this area
could be at this time of year.
So I'd like to say congratulations. Again, I'd like thank my
colleague Mr. Rahall for bringing this resolution forward, and I would
like to ask my colleagues to join in congratulating not only our first
responders and our National Guard, but also take the time to thank
their local and State National Guard and local first responders for all
the good work they do voluntarily every day for our benefit.
Mr. BARTLETT. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CRITZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Critz) that the House suspend the
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1153.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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