[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 145 (Tuesday, August 10, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S6270]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING THE MIAMI-DADE FIRE RESCUE

  Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the 
bravery and selfless service of the individuals who responded to the 
building collapse in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021.
  I want to thank Miami-Dade Fire Rescue for swiftly heeding the call 
of duty to provide search, rescue, and recovery efforts following the 
collapse. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They 
are heroes.
  Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded within minutes of the collapse, and 
their rapid response saved lives. They worked around the clock, and 
they were tireless in their pursuit to try and find survivors. These 
first responders braved extremely dangerous conditions to find those 
missing and to bring comfort and closure to the families of the 
victims.
  Many of these responders had friends or family lost in the collapse; 
yet they still answered the call. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue never quit, 
even when smoke and heat from a fire inside the building's standing 
portion hampered their efforts. They persisted when the temperatures 
escalated so much that some needed IVs to replenish fluids. They 
continued on when Tropical Storm Elsa passed nearby and dumped 
torrential rain. They left their families and faced dangerous and life-
threatening conditions, and they never gave up hope. Their work to 
recover victims gave closure to so many families, and I am so proud of 
these Florida heroes.
  Not only did they help lead the search, rescue, and recovery 
operation, they also provided endless care and compassion to the 
families of Surfside and did everything they could to bring closure to 
those who lost loved ones.
  I also want to thank the search and rescue dogs that helped this 
mission, along with the therapy dogs from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, who 
worked in shifts to provide relief and comfort to the victims and to 
their loved ones.
  We can never thank them and their families enough for their bravery, 
self-sacrifice, and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy. 
Ann and I are praying for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, 
the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked 
tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

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