[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 20753]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share one of the many 
stories of human compassion and generosity that have emerged in the 
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
  Organizations across the 11th District of Georgia are working hard to 
assist Katrina's victims, and the State University of West Georgia in 
Carrollton is a shining example. As evacuees from the gulf coast began 
making their way north into our State, the University of West Georgia 
community realized these victims needed shelter, food, and support 
immediately.
  So the university arranged to house 180 evacuees, including 80 
children, in Roberts Hall, an empty dorm in the middle of campus. 
Dormitory living is now providing these families with the privacy and 
security they need to begin piecing their lives back together.
  But the State University of West Georgia did not just house these 
evacuees. The community understood that shelter was only the first step 
to helping these victims get back on their feet. So the university and 
Carroll County community mobilized all their resources to assist their 
adopted residents.
  The health services staff and nursing department faculty worked to 
provide the victims with health care services. The university opened 
its computer labs, and volunteers helped victims locate family members 
and find relief resources. The community came together to provide food, 
clothing, personal necessities, and home items for their guests, and 
local organizations are helping many of these victims find work in the 
area.
  Mr. Speaker, it would have been more than enough for the University 
of West Georgia and Carroll County residents to house, feed and clothe 
these victims, but this generous community wanted to do more. They 
wanted to help these victims get their lives back together and start 
them on the path to recovery.
  So the Carrollton public school system quickly registered children so 
they would not fall behind in their education. Because a college 
dormitory is only a temporary living situation, the Carroll County 
Housing Authority is helping these evacuees locate more permanent 
housing in West Georgia. Counselors and social workers are on the 
university's campus every day helping victims access both emotional and 
financial resources.
  Perhaps what is most inspiring, Mr. Speaker, is the way the West 
Georgia student body has gotten involved. Students are supervising play 
activities for the children. They are helping school-aged kids with 
their homework every night. Campus organizations are planning social 
and recreational activities for the evacuees, trying to bring some joy 
to their incredibly trying days.
  Mr. Speaker, this level of personal and organizational generosity 
would be impressive anywhere in America, but in Carrollton, Georgia, 
this outpouring of support is especially heartening. Carroll County was 
hit by severe tornadoes and storms in the days following Hurricane 
Katrina. The community spent much of Labor Day weekend cleaning up the 
30 homes that were destroyed and the many other community resources 
damaged by the storms and, yes, mourned a life tragically lost.
  Yet even as this community was recovering from its own hardships, it 
was eager to help others in need. By opening their doors and hearts to 
Katrina's evacuees, Carroll County residents assured their guests that 
together they would rise to the challenges of this natural disaster. 
And, together, they have.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in praising the amazing 
work of the University of West Georgia and Carroll County community.
  In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, we have seen the best side of 
humanity. We have shown that no American is a stranger, and the State 
University of West Georgia exemplifies this amazing American capacity 
to help others, no matter how great their need.
  I thank the school and the community for their service.

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