[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 64 (Thursday, May 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E654-E655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




STORM DAMAGE IN ARKANSAS, MISSISSIPPI, OKLAHOMA, KANSAS, TENNESSEE, AND 
                                ALABAMA

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. ERIC A. ``RICK'' CRAWFORD

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2014

  Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to be joined here by my 
colleagues from Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, Tennessee, 
Alabama and the states that have been impacted by the devastating 
storms that occurred earlier this week. While we had hoped that the 
entire Mississippi and Arkansas delegations could join us, 
Representatives Gregg Harper and Alan Nunnelee from Mississippi, and 
Representative Tim Griffin from Arkansas, are back home today 
coordinating with the federal, state and local officials who are 
organizing disaster assistance efforts. Tomorrow Representative Griffin 
will be touring the devastation in Arkansas' second district with 
Secretary Johnson from the Department of Homeland Security.
  All these delegations have spent hours keeping close contact with one 
another and with officials in Arkansas, in particular regarding the 
tornado that ripped through Vilonia, Mayflower, El Paso and Perrin, 
leaving a path of destruction in central Arkansas and the same is true 
for the other affected states. The destruction we've witnessed is 
heartbreaking and our prayers go out to those affected by all these 
devastating storms, especially those who lost loved ones. All of us 
would like to thank the first responders, volunteers and neighboring 
communities for all their assistance, donations, prayers and tireless 
efforts during this difficult time. Their hard work and dedication has 
saved countless lives. We also urge those who can to continue to help 
in any way they can to assist in the recovery and rebuilding of 
neighborhoods and communities that were impacted by these storms.
  We also honor and remember those we lost. Representative Griffin 
asked that I share a story of one of his constituents, U.S. Air Force 
Master Sergeant Daniel Wassarn, who served as load master instructor 
with the 138th airlift wing at the Little Rock Air Force Base. The 
master sergeant lived in Vilonia, Arkansas with his wife, Suzanne, and 
his two young daughters. According to reports, Master Sergeant

[[Page E655]]

Wassam sacrificed his own life to shield his 5-year-old daughter from 
falling debris. His example of selflessness and bravery during this 
disaster is one all Americans and Arkansans can admire.
  I now ask for a moment of silent prayer to honor all the victims of 
those recent tragic events.

                          ____________________