[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24286]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              IN APPRECIATION OF BOY SCOUT VENTURE CREW 80

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 7, 2003

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say thank you to 
a group of dedicated individuals who helped their community before, 
during, and after Hurricane Isabel. Boy Scout Venture Crew 80, 
sponsored by the First Christian Church of Alexandria and made up of 
youth members and adult leaders, came together to assist in 
administering first aid and to operate Amateur Radio for those in the 
afflicted areas.
  Having been highly trained by their leaders in emergency 
communications and first aid, Venture Crew 80 exemplified the Boy Scout 
Motto, ``Be Prepared.'' With the knowledge that Hurricane Isabel was 
quickly heading toward Northern Virginia, these young people and their 
adult leaders responded to the call of the Alexandria Emergency 
Operations Center (EOC) and the Fairfax Amateur Radio Emergency Service 
to assist them with their storm operations.
  On Wednesday September 17, with most of the Northern Virginia area 
making preparations for the oncoming wind and rain, Venture Crew 80 
were being briefed on how they could assist the city of Alexandria with 
radio communications support, and by 8 a.m. on Thursday they were on 
the call assisting the EOC and Red Cross shelters across the area.
  Throughout Thursday, these dedicated individuals helped set up radios 
and other equipment needed to run a successful emergency operations 
center, assisted in assembling food, water, cots and blankets for 
shelters should they be needed during and after the storm, and helped 
gather emergency medical response gear for distribution. After 
completing the setup, they helped to handle the large amount of radio 
traffic between the EOC, Red Cross and the emergency shelters and 
monitored the amateur radio traffic. They remained at their posts, 
helping their fellow citizens make it through Hurricane Isabel, until 
6:30 Friday morning.
  Venture Crew 80 continued their support throughout the weekend at the 
EOC, various emergency shelters, the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center and 
their communities. Their first aid training was especially appreciated 
when neighbors came seeking aid and the nursing staff was unable to 
help.
  On behalf of the residents of the City of Alexandria and Fairfax 
County, I would like to thank all the boys and girls, men and women who 
took their time and energy to help our community during Hurricane 
Isabel. It is obvious that the emergency efforts throughout the storm 
would not have been possible without the hard work of Venture Crew 80.

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