[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 107 (Monday, June 23, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E599]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING FIRST RESPONDERS IN LAUREL COUNTY, KENTUCKY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 23, 2025

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
heroic efforts of first responders in London and Laurel County who 
swiftly responded to rescue individuals after a deadly EF-4 tornado 
ripped through our region, leaving behind a 55-mile trail of 
destruction through three counties.
  The violent storm took the lives of 19 individuals, 17 of whom were 
in Laurel County. Had it not been for the rapid response and 
coordination between police, fire, medical professionals, and good 
Samaritans, the loss of life would undoubtedly be higher. Within 24 
hours, every life had been accounted for, despite the mass destruction. 
Heroic stories of rescues and make-shift tourniquets in the field have 
flooded our news sources, giving our entire Commonwealth a renewed 
sense of hope and confidence in those who serve and protect us here at 
home. Every department responded, along with support from the Kentucky 
National Guard and other emergency teams from across the state. Local 
churches and schools were opened in the early hours after the storm to 
give tornado survivors a safe place to shelter and recover. In the days 
following the storm, law enforcement officers from every department 
provided extra security for tornado survivors, holding ruthless looters 
accountable, setting up posts at disaster recovery centers and securing 
temporary housing locations with extra patrols.
  The local first responders have gone above and beyond the call of 
duty throughout the rescue and recovery efforts, providing additional 
assistance to families in need of food, supplies, medicine and much 
more. It has become much more than emergency operations in London, 
Kentucky, this has been a mission of hope for a community that braved a 
harrowing disaster.
  I salute every first responder and unsung hero who bravely responded 
to this disaster, including: London Police Department, Laurel County 
Sheriffs Office, London Fire Department, London Public Works, London/
Laurel County Rescue Squad, Kentucky State Police Post 11, Bush 
Volunteer Fire Department, Campground Volunteer Fire Department, 
Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department, East Bernstadt Volunteer Fire 
Department, Keavy Volunteer Fire Department, Laurel County Fire 
Department, Lily Volunteer Department, McWhorter Volunteer Department, 
West Knox Volunteer Fire Department, Bald Rock Volunteer Fire 
Department, Laurel County Road Department, Kentucky Transportation 
Cabinet District 11, Saint Joseph Hospital, Ambulance Inc. of Laurel 
County, Laurel County Schools Police, London Laurel 911 Center, Phi Air 
Medical Team and the AirEvac Medical Team.
  The people of southern and eastern Kentucky have proven to be 
resilient through every storm and I have the utmost confidence that we 
will fully recover and rebuild once again.

                          ____________________