[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 10 (Thursday, January 17, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H682]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               FIRE SAFETY CONCERNS AT WINTERGREEN RESORT

  (Mr. RIGGLEMAN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RIGGLEMAN. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to speak about a pressing 
local safety concern in my home county of Nelson. Wintergreen Resort is 
facing major fire safety issues.
  Last week, I spoke with the local fire chief, who pointed out that 
having only one exit from the Wintergreen Resort creates the potential 
for a major public safety crisis. In the case of an emergency, such as 
a fire blocking the main exit, there would be no way to leave the 
resort.
  I have called the National Park Service and asked that they help me 
mitigate this situation by allowing a secondary exit that will allow 
people to go from the resort, through the national park, and to the 
Blue Ridge Parkway in the case of a fire or emergency. This simple 
step, 450 feet, would safeguard the community against a potential 
disaster.
  Government, when necessary, should be here to assist, not interfere. 
Guidelines that don't make sense need to be changed so that common 
sense prevails.

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