[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 27, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING LAURA HURD, CODY HUDSON, MARCELO SOMOS VALENZUELA, AND 
      RACHEL CHISHOLM FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING WORK IN SANDERSON, TX

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                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 27, 2010

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 4 students 
for their outstanding contributions in my district and their dedication 
to academic success. University of Texas students Laura Hurd, Cody 
Hudson, Marcelo Somos Valenzuela, and Rachel Chisholm recently 
completed and presented their graduate hydrology projects on flooding 
in Sanderson, Texas. This is especially important because their 
academic work will directly benefit the people of Sanderson and Terrell 
County.
  In 1965, Sanderson experienced severe flooding, killing 27 people and 
devastating the town. In response, the Federal government built $37 
million worth of dams and watershed infrastructure to protect the 
flood-prone area from any future incidents. This infrastructure has 
prevented similar devastating floods and changed the flood plain 
forever; however, the FEMA flood plain maps were never updated to 
reflect this new infrastructure. The old maps still show much of the 
town and over 200 residents living in a flood plain that no longer 
exists. By law, residents living in flood zones are required to 
purchase flood insurance. For many years residents of this tiny, rural 
town have been unnecessarily paying for flood insurance.
  The town of Sanderson in Terrell County, Texas, is a town of just 
over 1000 people and is larger than the state of Rhode Island. By 
itself, this community does not possess the capacity or means to remap 
its flood zones. With the help of the University of Texas and its 
graduate hydrology students, the town was able to complete much of the 
technical and complex analysis required in flood zone mapping. At the 
same time the students were able to gain valuable experience by 
completing hands-on coursework.
  The students traveled to Sanderson during their Spring Break to begin 
their work. The community of Sanderson is very appreciative and I am 
proud to acknowledge their work. I want to again thank Laura Hurd, Cody 
Hudson, Marcelo Somos Valenzuela, and Rachel Chisholm as well as Mr. 
David Maidment the Director of the UT Center for Research in Water 
Resources and other administrators that made this possible.
  As a former educator myself, I am always impressed when we can use 
academic enrichment exercises to improve local communities. This will 
leave a lasting effect on this community and we are grateful for your 
work.

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