[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 32 (Thursday, February 17, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S784]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING MILLER, SOUTH DAKOTA

 Mr. THUNE. Madam President, today I wish to honor the Miller 
School District staff and students, first responders, and all community 
members who contributed to the successful emergency evacuation of 
Miller School and Hand-in-Hand Daycare.
  On what seemed to be a typical morning in Miller, SD, on February 2, 
2022, an explosion and fire suddenly took place in the Miller High 
School.
  A potentially devastating situation was thankfully prevented by the 
swift actions of the Miller School District teachers and staff. Miller 
superintendent Dr. Charlene Crosswait, junior/senior high school 
principal Steve Schumacher, elementary school principal Drake 
Bachmeier, Mr. Mark Ketelhut, and the teachers and staff efficiently 
executed the evacuation plan, ultimately saving the lives of all 447 
students from kindergarteners through the senior graduating class of 
2022.
  I would like to commend the teachers and staff members for their 
diligent training, emergency preparation planning, and quick action to 
lead students to safety. I would also like to recognize each and every 
student for their attentiveness and exceptional conduct in an emergency 
situation. Because of the rapid response, every child and staff member 
made it out safe and unharmed. I would also like to commend Hand-in-
Hand Daycare Center located adjacent to the school for safely 
evacuating all staff and children.
  In emergency situations like this, while people are moving swiftly to 
get to safety, heroic emergency responders are always there running 
toward the blaze. The well-coordinated response from Hand County 
emergency manager Arlen Gortmaker, volunteer firefighters from Miller, 
Ree Heights, and Wessington Fire Departments, and first responders from 
Hand County and the city of Miller who secured the area and 
extinguished the fire deserve recognition. The first responders endured 
hours of freezing temperatures, frozen pump lines, and weather 
challenges with equipment. These hard-working, generous volunteers, and 
workers have big hearts and show up relentlessly under all 
circumstances to ensure the safety and well-being of others. Thank you 
to all of our firefighters and first responders for all you do.
  In true South Dakota fashion, the entire community pulled together. 
Despite fire and smoke damage, which made the school inaccessible, 
thanks to the compassionate generosity of St. Ann's Catholic Church, 
First United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, and the 
Community Church of St. Lawrence, students will be able to utilize 
facilities to complete the rest of their school year. Sunshine Bible 
Academy has offered their gym for Miller Rustler basketball team 
practices and games. Communities across South Dakota have been reaching 
out to offer support and assistance. I am proud to be part of a State 
that strongly believes in joining together to help friends and 
neighbors through tough times. The buildings need work, but they can be 
repaired. Most importantly, everyone made it home safely to their 
families and the community remains strong and resilient.
  I commend the entire Miller community for their excellent response to 
the emergency at the Miller School. The true spirit of our State shines 
brightly in Miller, SD.

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