[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 108 (Wednesday, July 6, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H4282]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       FLOODING IN WEST VIRGINIA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from West 
Virginia (Mr. Mooney) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MOONEY of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on June 23, my home State 
of West Virginia experienced some of the worst flooding in our State's 
history. Here is a picture of a damaged home in Elk View, in Kanawha 
County, West Virginia, very typical of what was seen during the 
flooding. More than 20 West Virginians lost their lives, hundreds lost 
their homes, and thousands lost access to water and electricity for an 
extended period of time. Like my colleague, Evan Jenkins, from West 
Virginia's First Congressional District, who spoke earlier, my thoughts 
and prayers are with all those who have suffered through this terrible 
tragedy.
  I traveled throughout the flood-damaged areas last week and was truly 
moved by what I saw. I saw and met a pastor who emptied his entire bank 
account to buy food for his neighbors. I saw an army of volunteers, all 
of different political, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, donating 
their time and money to help. I saw members of the National Guard using 
their military training to help those in need.
  Mr. Speaker, I saw West Virginians coming together in the most trying 
of times, as resilient as ever, and full of hope: a hope that we can 
rebuild, a hope that recovery is not a question but a certainty. West 
Virginia will rebuild, and we will rebuild stronger than ever. But this 
is going to be a long road to recovery. Our communities have been 
tested.
  As we continue to rebuild, I want to make sure that all of my 
constituents in the Second Congressional District know that I am here 
to help. If you need a hand in applying for FEMA assistance or figuring 
out which Federal programs you are eligible for, please call me at my 
office in Charleston at 304-925-5964, or my Washington, D.C., office at 
202-225-2711.
  I am blessed to be part of a wonderful community in West Virginia's 
Second District. I am grateful for the strength and hard work of so 
many.

                              {time}  1030

  While the flood waters may have receded, our work is far from over. 
Recovery will take weeks, months, even years, for many West Virginians. 
So our call to service remains, and I have no doubt that my fellow West 
Virginians will continue to answer this call.
  God bless West Virginia.

                          ____________________