[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14838]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO THE BUSINESS OWNERS, CITIZENS AND VOLUNTEERS OF CHARLES 
                            COUNTY, MARYLAND

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 24, 2002

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the tremendous 
community spirit shown by the people of Charles County, Maryland. As my 
colleagues may know, a devastating tornado ripped through Southern 
Maryland on April 29, 2002 destroying the town of La Plata and creating 
a 24 mile path of destruction. Not only were homes and businesses 
leveled, but farms and government buildings were heavily damaged. Under 
the circumstances, you would think that a tornado of this magnitude 
would cripple an area. Not in Southern Maryland and particularly not in 
La Plata.
  Immediately following the tornado, the residents took to the streets 
to check on friends and neighbors. Once everyone was accounted for, the 
clean-up efforts began. Under the leadership of the Mayor of La Plata, 
William Eckman, and the Charles County Commissioners, directed by Board 
President Murray Levy, an immediate plan of action was put into place 
and countless hours were spent with residents and business owners, 
surveying each situation and assisting wherever possible. A ``People's 
Place'' was set up to offer a myriad of services ranging from food, 
water and shelter, to helping people find lost pets. Clothing and money 
poured into the area, but most of all people reached out to help their 
neighbors rebuild their lives.
  Volunteers came from across the States of Maryland, Virginia and 
Pennsylvania, as well as the District of Columbia to assist in removing 
debris left behind by this vicious storm. SMECO, Verizon and Maryland 
Department of Transportation had staff working round the clock to 
restore electrical power, establish valuable communication systems and 
clear the roadways. The Amish communities of Maryland and Pennsylvania 
donated much-needed manpower to get the Town of La Plata up on its feet 
again.
  The Charles County Chapter of the American Red Cross went into 
immediate action, once the tornado passed, even though their own 
building was destroyed. Mr. Paul Facchina had a ``mini business 
district'' set up for the business owners to get back up and running. 
The Charles County Chamber of Commerce offered office space and 
business services to companies in need and for days following the 
disaster local churches and other civic organizations offered food to 
the hundreds of volunteers.
  Mr. Speaker, it has often been said that the ``worst of times, bring 
out the best in people'' and on behalf of the many, many grateful 
residents and business owners in La Plata, I want to say Thank You to 
all the volunteers who gave of themselves so unselfishly. A disaster 
occurred, and people came from all walks of life to help in any way 
they could. It did not matter how big, or how small a job, volunteers 
were available to lend a helping hand. This is the true spirit of 
America and it was shining bright and continues to beam forward in 
Charles County, Maryland.

                          ____________________