[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 71 (Thursday, May 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E826-E827]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING DUQUESNE, MISSOURI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILLY LONG

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 17, 2012

  Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the resilience of the 
Duquesne, Missouri community.

[[Page E827]]

  One year ago the community of Duquesne and surrounding area was 
devastated by an EF 5 tornado, but showed the nation and the world what 
it means to help your neighbors in their greatest time of need.
  The tornado that wreaked havoc on our friends and neighbors was \1/2\ 
mile to \3/4\ mile wide and traveled approximately 13 miles in 
Duquesne, Joplin and surrounding area. The tornado damaged over 500 
residential and commercial structures in Duquesne, forever changing the 
landscape of the community and lives of those who call the area home. 
This destructive force of nature claimed 161 lives in the area.
  I saw the immediate aftermath of this disaster with my own eyes, and 
I know it is vital to get the right resources to the right people as 
quickly as possible, because lives depend on it. As their 
representative in Congress, it was my job to make sure the federal 
government worked with local and state officials to provide disaster 
relief. As a neighbor, it was my job to help in any way I could, from 
setting up cots in aid stations with other volunteers to helping with 
search and rescue. Missouri is called the Show-Me State, and 
Missourians and Americans from across our great country showed the 
nation and the world the compassion and generosity of the American 
spirit. Over 120,000 volunteers poured into the area to offer their 
help and support, and some are still assisting with rebuilding efforts.
  As we commemorate the one-year anniversary which changed the lives of 
all families impacted by this horrific disaster, we treasure the good 
times in the past and look forward to a promising future for Duquesne 
and all who call this wonderful place home.
  Even though we can't explain why tragedy strikes, we can use what 
happened here to remind us of the good inside us all and to remind us 
that even though we lost a lot, we did not lose everything. If anyone 
thinks that there are not good, generous and compassionate people in 
this world, then they need to come down here to see firsthand how this 
community came together during their time of need.

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