[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 60 (Thursday, May 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CONGRATULATING MATTHEW WICKS

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                          HON. BRUCE L. BRALEY

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 2011

  Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Matthew 
Wicks for being a first prize winner of C-SPAN's Student Cam 
competition. Matthew created a fantastic video entitled ``After the 
Storm'' which details the tragedy of one of the worst tornadoes in Iowa 
history. On May 25, 2008, the community of Parkersburg, Iowa was hit by 
an EF-5 tornado with winds of over 200 mph. This tornado destroyed the 
Parkersburg community.
  Matthew's video highlights the successes and challenges faced by the 
Aplington Parkersburg community as they worked with the federal 
government to obtain disaster relief funding. Matthew did an excellent 
job of detailing the struggles of the Parkersburg community while 
seeking disaster funding. While the community did receive disaster 
relief funding, there are many challenges they still face today as they 
continue to work with FEMA.
  Matthew's video illustrates the struggles that so many communities 
face when dealing with the aftermath of a natural disaster. I'm proud 
to have Matthew as one of my constituents and I congratulate him on his 
success. I wish him the best in his future endeavors.

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