[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11995]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR VICTIMS OF AUGUST FLOODS IN LOUISIANA

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. CHARLES W. BOUSTANY, JR.

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 7, 2016

  Mr. BOUSTANY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart in the 
aftermath of a trying and challenging time felt throughout Louisiana, 
where 13 of our own lost their lives as a result of the recent 
flooding.
  The rain started falling on August 10th and continued for weeks. 
Water rose up to rooftops, families lost most of their possessions, 
schools were damaged, and as the water has continued to recede, the 
extent of devastation is still being realized. It was most definitely a 
flood of historic proportions.
  Louisiana is known for its joie de vivre: we work together, we play, 
fish and hunt together, and this event showed just how strong that 
community spirit shines throughout our state. We came together to 
volunteer at shelters, dispatch our own ``Cajun Navy'' in rescue 
efforts, lend hands to gut flood-stained homes, and donate millions of 
dollars to post storm relief efforts.
  It has been said before, and remains true, Louisianans are resilient. 
We have persevered before and we will again.
  Unfortunately, this tragic event resulted in the death of 13 
individuals--two deaths in Livingston Parish, two in St. Helena, five 
in East Baton Rouge, three in Tangipahoa and one in Rapides Parish.
  As our community begins to recover from this devastation, I simply 
ask my colleagues to stand with me, my colleagues from our Louisiana 
delegation, and with the State of Louisiana for a moment of silence in 
remembrance of those we lost.

                          ____________________