[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 21313]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          INDIANA NATIONAL GUARD IN HURRICANE KATRINA RECOVERY

  Mr. BAYH. Mr. President, I rise today to commend the hard work and 
selflessness of the members of the Indiana National Guard for their 
efforts to rebuild the gulf coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. 
Helping others in need is a longstanding Hoosier value, and there is no 
question that the people of Mississippi and Louisiana needed help from 
all States following such a terrible natural disaster. Our Indiana 
Guard members, and those from many other States, answered that call for 
help, and deserve to be recognized for their work.
  The Crescent City is a far cry from our Hoosier State, but the men 
and women of the Indiana National Guard have made New Orleans their 
home away from home as they work to restore the city to its pre-Katrina 
greatness. Throughout Louisiana and Mississippi, hundreds of our Guard 
members are helping in all aspects of the recovery efforts, by clearing 
neighborhoods, helping evacuees and restoring order to the chaos left 
by Katrina.
  Work like this is part of what makes America great. Over the past 
month, we have witnessed countless acts of tremendous heroism and 
heartwarming generosity performed by complete strangers working to help 
others weather this storm. Americans from across the country came 
together to give money, food, clothes, and shelter to people they will 
likely never meet.
  Indiana's reaction to this terrible tragedy has made me proud to be a 
Hoosier. Our Guard members left behind families and loved ones--many of 
whom they have been separated from during long tours of duty overseas--
to come to the aid of other families and help them rebuild their lives. 
In a true example of Hoosier hospitality, hundreds of Indiana families 
have opened their homes to evacuees in need of shelter. Many Hoosiers 
have donated to nonprofits like the Red Cross, and members from local 
police and fire stations have traveled south to offer their help.
  Whether defending our freedom overseas or rebuilding in the face of 
natural disasters at home, the members of the Indiana National Guard 
represent the best of Indiana and America. They sacrifice time with 
loved ones and travel thousands of miles to shoulder some of the 
heaviest loads in the cleanup efforts. Most importantly, their work 
gives people hope that life can return to normal and that the towns 
devastated by Katrina can be rebuilt. For leading the way and reminding 
us of our ability to recover from such storms, the Indiana National 
Guard, and all volunteers working in the gulf today, deserve our 
thanks.

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