[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 87 (Tuesday, May 23, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                REMEMBERING LIVES LOST IN CHARLOTTE FIRE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Jackson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JACKSON of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, last week there was an 
enormous fire in Charlotte. An apartment building that was under 
construction caught fire. Within an hour, it became a five-alarm fire.
  Ninety firefighters from the Charlotte Fire Department responded. 
They were able to heroically rescue 15 construction workers, including 
one from on top of a crane. Tragically, two construction workers were 
not able to be rescued, and they died: Reuben Holmes and Demonte 
Sherrill.
  Reuben was loved by his family. He was set to have lunch with his 
sister on Saturday, and they just can't believe what happened.
  Demonte was a father of four. Obviously, this is a tragedy that will 
reshape their families' lives but also a big part of our community.
  We honor the first responders who sprang into action and did 
everything they possibly could under extraordinary circumstances, a 
fire that burned at a temperature of 2,000 degrees.
  We call upon the members of our broader Charlotte community to do 
everything that they can for these families that have suffered truly 
unimaginable loss.

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