[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 13701]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              THE FIRST RESPONDERS OF THE COLORADO FLOODS

  (Mr. GARDNER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. GARDNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the many first 
responders, National Guard, volunteers, and local leaders who have 
worked tirelessly, beginning in the middle of last week, in order to 
respond to the floods in Colorado. An area the size of Connecticut has 
been impacted by over 20 inches of rain in certain areas of the State; 
19,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed; and countless people have 
had their lives changed forever.
  But as is the case with all tragedies in Colorado and across this 
great country, we come together as a community, as neighbors to help 
one another in times such as these. We know in the months and years to 
come there will be great challenges, and there will be trying times as 
we try to find answers for those families who lost so much.
  So, Mr. Speaker, we recognize those efforts, such as 
HelpColoradoNow.org, that are doing so much good for the people there. 
This has happened before--a great tragedy. We've come together, but we 
will rise up. We will be stronger because we are Colorado.

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