[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 108 (Wednesday, July 6, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H4280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          WEST VIRGINIA FLOOD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Rigell). The Chair recognizes the 
gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Jenkins) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, West Virginians are facing 
tremendous hardship from devastating floods we experienced nearly 2 
weeks ago. In a matter of hours, more than 20 people were killed, 
hundreds of homes destroyed, and thousands of residents' lives were 
turned upside-down.
  Through the heartbreak, stories of heroism have emerged. Neighbors 
have offered a helping hand to strangers. Our churches and schools have 
opened their doors to people in need and those who have lost their 
homes are still volunteering at our command centers and food lines.
  This is what makes West Virginia special. When things get tough, we 
get working. We band together and we are stronger together.
  I have traveled throughout our flood-ravaged communities doing what I 
can to support our recovery. Along the way, I have met brave people, 
selfless people, and some of the kindest people you would ever get a 
chance to know.
  In the basement of the Summersville Baptist Church, thousands of 
family photographs from just one family lay on tables curled and soaked 
in floodwater. Church youth group members worked to take each picture 
out of its frame or album and spread them out to dry. This parishioner 
may have lost her home, but this spirit of community is helping 
preserve her memories.
  In Rainelle, I met an 18-year-old who had just joined the volunteer 
fire department. His job after the floodwaters receded was to recover 
and retrieve bodies and then stand guard over them in the fire 
department. He has seen and done things that no one should have had to 
experience, but he kept doing his job as a volunteer for his community, 
serving his community.
  I met a lady sheltered the first night in Ansted who was rescued 
after hours in her one-story home that had filled with 4 feet of water. 
She survived the horrific event by relying on her deep faith, knowing 
she was in God's hands.
  The road ahead will be tough. We have a very long way to go. We will 
always remember and honor those whom we lost, and we will offer our 
love and support to those rebuilding their lives.
  I know we will rebuild. We will repair our schools, restock our 
library shelves, repave our roads, and reconstruct our bridges. We will 
be there for each other.
  We are West Virginians, and it is our home.

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