[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 104 (Friday, July 19, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H4730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           PROPHETSTOWN FIRE

  (Mrs. BUSTOS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mrs. BUSTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the terrible 
fire earlier this week that destroyed much of Prophetstown, Illinois--a 
small town in Whiteside County, Illinois, that I have the honor of 
representing.
  The blaze destroyed nearly all of downtown and disrupted the lives of 
so many people living and working in this northwestern Illinois town 
full of caring people. Several families of this town of more than 2,000 
people lost all of their possessions, not to mention their livelihoods.
  Angie Stegmiller lost everything she owned in the fire, including 
precious knicknacks that were handed down from her grandparents. Her 
cats are still missing. As Angie said, ``It's not the stuff. It's the 
memories behind the stuff.'' She is still holding out hope that her 
cats will return.
  The community's response to the fire should serve as an inspiration 
to all. Residents are coming together to help one another through this. 
The Methodist church has received so many food donations that its 
freezers are overfilled. Neighbors are helping neighbors clean up the 
rubble and are turning over spare bedrooms and bathrooms to those who 
are temporarily homeless. Residents have begun the slogan 
``Prophetstown Strong'' to refer to the resiliency of this community.
  I have no doubt that, due to the spirit and resolve of the citizens 
of Prophetstown, this town will recover and be stronger.

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