[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 42 (Thursday, March 13, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H2372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING THE COLORADO FLOOD RESPONDERS

  (Mr. GARDNER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. GARDNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the dedicated men and 
women who have assisted the State of Colorado in our effort to recover 
from the devastating floods last September.
  On September 11, Colorado experienced a major flood event which took 
the lives of beloved neighbors, destroyed over 2,000 homes and damaged 
17,000 others. Our communities, friends, and neighbors had their lives 
changed forever and are still putting the pieces back together and 
rebuilding.
  In the wake of the flood, local and State officials, private 
businesses and individuals, first responders, National Guard, FEMA 
personnel, and dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly to help 
Coloradans get life back to normal. While the recovery effort remains 
unfinished and won't be complete for some time, we are on a positive 
path forward. If it hadn't been for the committed and devoted people on 
the ground, Colorado would not be on that path today.
  As with all natural disasters and tragedies of this magnitude, 
Coloradans rallied together and helped in the recovery effort. We still 
have more work to do. But I want to recognize on the House floor all 
those who joined together in these recovery efforts and helped Colorado 
in a desperate time of need.
  As a fifth-generation Coloradan, I offer my deep appreciation on 
behalf of the State.

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