[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Pages 2070-2071]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             SOUTHERN ILLINOIS TORNADO ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, this week marks the 1-year anniversary 
of the deadly tornado that devastated the towns of Harrisburg and 
Ridgway in Saline and Gallatin Counties.
  I visited both of those towns right after the tornado.
  I have seen my fair share of tornado damage in my life. But when I 
visited Harrisburg and Ridgway, I saw some things I have never seen 
before. I expected to see some trees blown down and shingles torn off 
roofs. Instead, I saw entire houses lifted from their concrete 
foundation and tossed on top of the neighboring house.
  The loss of homes and property was really difficult to bear, but the 
real tragedy lies in the lives that were claimed by this tornado. Eight 
people died as a result of this violent storm: Randy Rann, Donna Rann, 
Jaylynn Ferrell, Mary Osman, Linda Hull, Greg Swierk, Don Smith and R. 
Blaine Mauney.
  But despite this incredible loss, when I visited Harrisburg and 
Ridgway, what I didn't see were broken spirits. Instead, from the very 
minute this disaster took place, people came together to rebuild the 
community. The outpouring of support was amazing almost 6,000 people 
pitched in before it was all over.
  And I can't say enough about the tireless efforts the emergency 
personnel who were there from the minute that the sirens went off. They 
were there to help under the most extraordinary circumstances.
  I went to Harrisburg 5 weeks after my first visit and I was amazed at 
how much better the community looked.
  Today, both communities have made incredible progress moving forward,

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thanks again to everyone engaged in the rescue and cleanup at every 
level, and during this entire past year.
  I also want to recognize the hard work and dedication of: Jonathan 
Monken, head of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency; Eric Gregg, 
Mayor of Harrisburg; Becky Mitchell, Mayor of Ridgway; State Senator 
Gary Forby; and State Representative Brandon Phelps. They were there 
when their constituents and their communities needed them the most.
  Today, when I see how much the residents of Harrisburg and Ridgway 
have done to rebuild their communities over the past year, I am proud 
to be from Illinois and proud to be part of this great Nation.

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