[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 11, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 RECOGNIZING THE COURAGEOUS SERVICE OF THE SWIFT WATER RESCUE TEAM OF 
                           BRISTOL, VIRGINIA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 11, 2025

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the courageous 
service of Bristol, Virginia's Swift Water Rescue Team.
  Formed in 2019, the group operates under the Bristol Fire Department 
and is the only such swift water team in Southwest Virginia, a region 
that encompasses more than twenty localities and is bigger in landmass 
than some U.S. states.
  The personnel of the Bristol Rescue Team have fought heroically in 
the most trying of times.
  In August of 2024, Tropical Storm Debby battered much of the 
Southeastern United States.
  A month later, Hurricane Helene ravaged much of Virginia's Ninth 
Congressional District and devastated numerous communities. Historic 
levels of flooding resulted from the natural disaster.
  In February of 2025, major winter storms hit the region and prompted 
widespread flooding and, in some cases, community evacuations.
  These major weather events were met by courageous rescue officers to 
respond to severe emergency situations.
  The Rescue Team tallied more than 80 rescues in the last six months. 
Their work is crucial as the region faces recovery challenges.
  In the face of a historic natural disaster and other extreme weather 
events, the Bristol Swift Water Rescue Team has performed admirably.
  The people of Southwest Virginia are grateful for the Bristol Swift 
Water Rescue Team, the hours the Team spends training, and its 
preparation to carry out brave rescue missions for local communities.

                          ____________________