[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 104 (Wednesday, June 14, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2889]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING YELLOWSTONE FLOODS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Montana (Mr. Rosendale) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ROSENDALE. Madam Speaker, 1 year ago, record-breaking floods 
devastated much of southern Montana, shattering communities in and 
around Yellowstone National Park.
  The destruction caused by these rushing waters was immense, washing 
away homes, businesses, and property that Montanans had spent 
generations building. But it did not wash away their hope.
  I had the chance to survey the aftermath and speak with residents who 
had been impacted by this tragic natural disaster. Many understood that 
it would take months, maybe even years to recover.
  What surprised me about my conversations with those who lost so much 
to these historic floods was not their desperation, but their courage.
  The people of Montana have always been stronger than the challenges 
that they face. Local leaders in Park, Stillwater, and Carbon Counties 
did not let the disaster destroy their communities. Instead, they came 
together to support their friends and neighbors when they needed it the 
most.
  Local leaders like Sherry Weamer were instrumental in directing the 
rebuilding of Red Lodge when floodwaters overwhelmed the area. These 
efforts were also led by dedicated public servants, like Yellowstone 
National Park Superintendent Cam Sholly.
  Communities in southern Montana rely on tourist traffic from 
Yellowstone to survive. When floodwaters closed two entrances to the 
park, Superintendent Sholly sprang into action and accelerated the 
opening of the Old Gardiner Road, restoring access to Yellowstone just 
4 months after the floods.
  I spoke with countless Montanans whose lives were turned upside down 
by the Yellowstone floods, and I have made it my mission to ensure 
leaders in Washington support them.
  Although our work to restore our gateway communities is far from 
over, I am proud of the work that we have done so far.
  I thank Sherry Weamer, Superintendent Sholly, and the countless 
Montanans who stepped up to help their communities during this 
difficult time. Their work is an example of Montana, and it is a 
privilege to represent them in the United States House of 
Representatives.

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