[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 23, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S3512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  COMMENDING MISSISSIPPI LEVEE BOARDS

 Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, a year ago my State of Mississippi 
suffered one of the worst disasters in our history when the Mississippi 
River and its tributaries were confronted with record flood levels that 
threatened the well-being of residents and property over much of our 
State. The 2011 flood put our people and flood control structures to 
the test. Federal, State, and local entities worked heroically to 
prevent this disaster from becoming an outright catastrophe. I would 
like to especially commend the Mississippi Levee Board and the Yazoo-
Mississippi Delta Levee Board for their impressive leadership during 
the flood and for taking the necessary actions to protect our 
population and to limit flood damage.
  The Mississippi Levee Board is responsible for operating and 
maintaining a roughly 212-mile levee system along the river, as well as 
360 miles of interior drainage streams. The Yazoo-Mississippi Delta 
Levee Board maintains 98 miles of mainline levees and 18 miles of 
backwater levees. Each board has worked efficiently and effectively 
with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reduce the threat of high 
water and flood damage.
  The great flood of 2011 reminded us of the importance of diligence, 
preparation, and cooperation to ensure that our levees remain strong 
and that the lives and property in our State are protected.

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