[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 151 (Friday, September 27, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E988]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE SAMARITAN'S PURSE FLOOD RECOVERY RESPONSE IN EAST 
                                KENTUCKY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 2024

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express immense 
gratitude on behalf of the people of Eastern Kentucky who have received 
flood recovery assistance from Samaritan's Purse during two back-to-
back disaster relief missions, starting in 2021.
  Breathitt County has essentially become a second home to some team 
members of Samaritan's Purse, who first arrived in our region after a 
major flood in March 2021. They have provided the most comprehensive 
response efforts, rallying volunteers from across the country to help 
muck-out damaged homes, provide cleaning supplies and food to flood 
victims, and resources to help rebuild homes. The crew dedicated an 
entire year of service to our region and had only been gone for a few 
days before a second catastrophic flood hit the heart of our region in 
July 2022, taking the lives of 45 Kentuckians. Without hesitation, the 
Samaritan's Purse tractor trailer reloaded supplies and turned around 
to head right back to Breathitt County. Our region was briefly crippled 
by the widespread impact of that overnight flood that took out power 
lines, washed out critical roadways and bridges, damaged thousands of 
homes and vehicles, leaving hundreds of Eastern Kentucky families 
homeless in an instant.
  Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of individuals across the 
country, donations flooded into our region, giving flood survivors a 
glimmer of hope for the long journey ahead. Many organizations, like 
Samaritan's Purse, also dispatched recovery teams to our region, 
helping sustain families through their darkest hour. As various crews 
expended as many resources as possible to aid Eastern Kentucky, there 
has been one constant team remaining long after everyone else had to 
leave--and that is Samaritan's Purse. For every meal provided, every 
mop distributed, every bucket of mud carried out, every nail that has 
been driven and every prayer that has been prayed in our region, I want 
to personally express my gratitude to Samaritan's Purse.
  This organization has carried out the vision of the late evangelist 
Bob Pierce for more than 50 years, which he established ``to meet 
emergency needs in crisis areas through existing evangelical mission 
agencies and national churches.'' Rev. Franklin Graham took up the 
mantel over 40 years ago, spreading the same kindness, generosity and 
steadfast hope around the world.
  We are blessed that Samaritan's Purse found our small corner of rural 
America and made our people a priority when they needed it the most. As 
a result of their dedication, we are now celebrating with flood 
survivors in Breathitt County who now have a safe, new house to call 
home. On behalf of Eastern Kentuckians in Breathitt and surrounding 
counties, we thank them for standing with us through the flood and long 
after the flood waters have receded. May God continue to multiply the 
efforts of Samaritan's Purse as they rebuild hope in the mountains of 
Eastern Kentucky and beyond.

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