[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 20705]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                ``SHOW-ME'' LEADERSHIP THAT SAVED LIVES

  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, the tragedy that has befallen the gulf coast 
region, its impact on families and communities, has been truly 
staggering. Our thoughts and prayers are with each individual who has 
been affected by this hurricane. Yet even in our darkest hours and our 
most difficult days once again we have seen the emergence of an 
American spirit that takes pride in triumphing in the face of great 
adversity. The examples of this American spirit are too numerous to 
document. We have seen examples in every neighborhood, every city, and 
every state in the nation as Americans all over the country have 
rallied around those who are most in need. In Missouri, we have opened 
our doors and welcomed displaced families to our homes, our 
communities, our churches, our schools, our health centers, and our 
hospitals.
  Today, I would especially like to highlight the efforts to bring some 
of New Orleans' littlest victims to safety in Kansas City. Confronted 
with no electricity, shortage of supplies and the growing security 
concerns in the face of looters, the New Orleans Children's Hospital 
was forced to evacuate and seek safer locations for all of their young 
patients. In the great spirit of the Show-Me State, the dedicated 
leadership and staff of Kansas City Children's Mercy Hospital didn't 
sit back and wait to be asked to help. Instead, Children's Mercy 
President and CEO Rand O'Donnell picked up the phone and called the CEO 
of the New Orleans Children's and asked how he could help. Children's 
Mercy threw open their doors to make room for 24 of these children 
ranging in age from 3 months to 23 years, from New Orleans Children's 
Hospital. These patients are being treated for a variety of conditions 
including asthma, cystic fibrosis, leukemia, kidney failure, and broken 
bones.
  With the help of the Missouri National Guard, two C-130 military 
transport planes transported the patients and family members from New 
Orleans. The C-130 planes, part of the 139th Airlift Wing in St. 
Joseph, MO, were already in the region as part of national hurricane 
relief efforts. Children's Mercy also sent a smaller, fixed-wing 
aircraft capable of transporting two patients at a time. That plane and 
the Children's Mercy crew were used to transport a critically ill child 
to another children's hospital. Children's Mercy and MAST ambulances 
helped transport the children from the airport to Children's Mercy and 
Children's Mercy South. About 30 parents and other family members 
traveled with the patients. I am pleased to report that these children 
are doing well; in fact some of these children have already been 
discharged from the hospital.
  Missouri, no stranger to disaster, wasted no time in showing folks 
that in difficult times we pull together, sending doctors, transport 
teams, supplies, and the National Guard to rescue these children and 
their families. Children's Mercy even arranged for lodging, food and 
transportation to be provided for the parents and families during their 
time in Kansas City. Thanks to the generosity and hospitality shown to 
these families by both the hospital and the community some of these 
families are considering a permanent relocation to the Kansas City 
area.
  I rise today to salute the remarkable work of the staff at Kansas 
City Children's Mercy and the Missouri Air Guard on behalf of some of 
the hurricane's littlest victims and their families. In times of 
trouble, people look for leadership. During a week of great 
uncertainty, you pulled together as a team and led people from chaos to 
safety. Together you provided leadership and hope to those who 
desperately needed it. You were an inspirational example to others 
seeking to provide help. I have never been prouder to represent you and 
the State of Missouri.

                          ____________________