[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 148 (Thursday, September 29, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6280-S6281]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 609--HONORING THE MEMORIES AND HEROIC ACTIONS OF 
THOSE KILLED, INJURED, AND AFFECTED BY THE FATAL BUS CRASH IN LAPLACE, 
                     LOUISIANA, ON AUGUST 28, 2016

  Mr. VITTER (for himself and Mr. Cassidy) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 609

       Whereas, on August 28, 2016, St. John the Baptist Parish 
     firefighters and Louisiana State troopers were responding to 
     the scene of an accident along I-10 Westbound in Laplace, 
     Louisiana, when an undocumented immigrant driving a passenger 
     bus lost control of the bus and crashed into a nearby 
     vehicle;
       Whereas 3 firefighters were thrown over the highway 
     guardrail from the impact of the vehicle, falling more than 
     30 feet into alligator-infested water;
       Whereas fellow firefighters, State troopers, and at least 1 
     civilian quickly responded to rescue the 3 overthrown 
     firefighters;
       Whereas Chief Spencer Chauvin, a 36-year-old who served the 
     St. John the Baptist Parish Fire Department for 12 years and 
     was a beloved husband and father of 2, died in the crash;
       Whereas 21-year-old Jermaine Starr and 33-year-old 
     Vontarous Kelly, both of Moss Point, Mississippi, and who 
     were passengers in the vehicle impacted by the bus, were also 
     killed in the crash;

[[Page S6281]]

       Whereas 2 other firefighters sustained injuries and were 
     taken to the hospital; and
       Whereas more than 30 additional individuals were injured: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) mourns the tragic loss of Chief Spencer Chauvin, 
     Jermaine Starr, and Vontarous Kelly;
       (2) recognizes the bravery, heroism, and dedication of the 
     firefighters, State troopers, and civilians who quickly 
     responded to attempt to save the lives of the injured;
       (3) offers sincere condolences to the families, friends, 
     and loved ones of Chief Spencer Chauvin, Jermaine Starr, and 
     Vontarous Kelly; and
       (4) expresses hope that each individual who was injured in 
     the accident makes a full and quick recovery.

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