[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 42 (Friday, March 8, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H1048]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CENTRAL NEBRASKA WILDFIRES

  (Mr. SMITH of Nebraska asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my 
condolences and thoughts to Nebraskans impacted by recent, severe 
wildfires and recognize the extraordinary response of emergency 
personnel across the Third District of Nebraska.
  Last week, central Nebraska wildfires claimed over 70,000 acres in 24 
hours in the counties of Lincoln, Custer, Dawson, and Logan. While the 
windswept flames forced evacuations and destroyed livestock, 
structures, supplies, pasture, and miles of fence, thanks to the 
courageous efforts of responders to ensure the safety of Nebraskans, no 
lives were lost.
  From across the State, emergency personnel, pilots, and more than 50 
local and volunteer fire departments came together to contain the 
blaze. Countless private citizens pitched in to move livestock, disk 
fields, and transport water.
  In fact, the Red Willow Rural Fire Department testified to the vital 
help of community members, saying: We couldn't do what we do without 
area farmers and ranchers.
  My deep gratitude goes out to Third District volunteers and 
businesses who came together to assist in recovery. From local 
businesses donating livestock feed and fencing repair supplies to 
GoFundMe recovery efforts, the remarkable generosity in the face of 
disaster shows what Nebraskans are made of: quick to lend a hand, with 
greater concern for their neighbor than for the cost to themselves.

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