[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 27]
[House]
[Page 36191]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         THE OKLAHOMA STANDARD

  (Ms. FALLIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. FALLIN. Madam Speaker, this past week the State of Oklahoma 
experienced a severe ice storm that left over 600,000 homes and 
businesses without power or heat. As you can imagine, Oklahomans have 
had a very challenging time. Today, I want to thank the people of 
Oklahoma for helping each other and commend the various generous 
volunteers and organizations that came to their aid.
  Since the disaster of the Murrah Federal Building in 1995, the people 
of my great State are said to have created what is known as ``the 
Oklahoma standard,'' rallying to help each other in times of need, and 
certainly this past week, to week and a half, has been no exception.
  I want to personally thank Governor Henry and President Bush for 
working together to ensure that the proper Federal aid disaster relief 
has come to Oklahoma. And I would also like to commend the State Office 
of Emergency Management, FEMA representatives and the State Corporation 
Commission who kept us informed and on track as power loss was reported 
and power was restored.
  I especially want to commend the utility crews who worked tirelessly 
in their efforts to restore power. I want to thank the hundreds of 
utility workers from other States who came to help. Thank you for 
leaving your homes and families during this holiday season.
  Madam Speaker, there are so many organizations to thank who went 
above and beyond to help the State of Oklahoma, churches, synagogues 
and charities. The Southern Baptist Convention, United Way of Central 
Oklahoma, the Salvation Army and the Red Cross, to name just a few, 
worked to provide food, shelter and other supplies, and all went beyond 
their usual call of duty to clear the road to recovery.
  Thank you so much, and may God bless you.

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