[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19395]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE BROOKSVILLE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (BERT)

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 23, 2004

  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 
members of the Brooksville Emergency Response Team, also known as BERT.
  In the wake of Hurricane Charley's devastating visit to Florida, 
these remarkable individuals answered the call of duty. On the morning 
of August 14, 2004 at 6:45 a.m. these BERT operatives sprung into 
action and began to rebuild areas of the Fifth Congressional District 
left in shambles. Because of their efforts, the communities of 
Poinciana, Caloose, Lake Village, Lake Wales, Bascon, Highland Park, 
Frostproof, and Lake Hamilton received relief at a critical time of 
need. The BERT team worked to reconstruct Poinciana's fire department 
and assisted with firefighting duties for the community. In addition, 
the team worked on debris clean-up, directed traffic, and assisted in 
damage assessment activities throughout the area. In the end, the BERT 
team accomplishments included 336 work hours removing trees from 
residences and roadways; 14 hours traffic control; and deliveries of 
1,250 bags of ice, 450 cases of water and 150 prepared meals to hungry 
citizens.
  I would like to express my gratitude for the BERT team's service. 
Their actions demonstrated the dedication, selflessness, and sacrifice 
of the human spirit that emerges from rubble of Mother Nature's fury. I 
am proud to represent the Fifth Congressional District of Florida, 
where members of the heroic Brooksville Emergency Response Team call 
home.

                          ____________________