Usa Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2020

Floor Speech

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Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. President, I thank my friend from North Dakota. It is great to hear stories from his great State and to see how they are helping each other and how they are coming to each other's benefit. Really, as somebody who represents a State who has agriculture but not in the dimensions that Senator Hoeven has, it is wonderful to see how the ag community has stepped up not only in his State but in the rest of the country, and we are very, very grateful for that.

We have seen so many people across this country step up in so many major ways. I often describe my State of West Virginia as one big small town. We always help each other in times of need, whether we know the person or not. The floods of 2016, I think, were a very good example of that. I call it our West Virginia spirit, and there is no question it has helped us through some very difficult times, like the time we are facing right now. Every day, each of us--and I am certainly no exception--hears stories about how someone or some group has stepped up to the plate and has gone above and beyond to help one's community, not to get attention and not because one is forced to, but because one genuinely, genuinely wants to help and make a difference. I join my colleagues today in highlighting some of those unsung heroes.

Many of us have been able to telework. Here we are, serving in the Senate. We are here at our jobs. Yet most people who are on the frontlines don't have a choice. They are getting up every day and facing the challenges of this pandemic head on, but it does not come without some sacrifice.

Kristin Schneider, who is a nurse in the cardiopulmonary intensive care unit at CAMC in Charleston, said that she quarantined herself from her family and friends due to the fear of giving the coronavirus to them since she cares for patients who have been affected by the disease. We forget sometimes that our nurses and doctors and those who care for folks who are afflicted have families too.

Another nurse in the same unit said:

No one felt like a hero when we gowned up or put our goggles on. We felt privileged. We got to hold the hands of our patients and to be their support, their friends, their family, and advocates because their loved ones were not allowed to be with them at this very difficult time.

She goes on to say:

I love my job. I love my team. I was never scared to go to work.

Aspen Saunders, another emergency room nurse, said:

The most moving gesture I witnessed was the prayer circle at the hospital's cancer center. That is a moment in my career that I will never forget. I was very overwhelmed with the power and volume echoed from those who came to pray. It was an inspirational depiction of community strength. During this time, I found that I am now more grateful for the things that I usually take for granted, such as my family being healthy.

I thank these brave nurses, and I thank them for their great comments.

I have also heard from teachers who have gone above and beyond the duty in making sure their students aren't falling behind, and they are creating programs for the students in their offering support for the communities across our State.

Take, for example, Christy, who is a fourth grade teacher at Warm Springs Intermediate School in the Eastern Panhandle. She coordinated an effort with her fourth grade students to adopt a senior from the Berkeley County Senior Center, and through this program, they wrote letters. A lot of our seniors are living alone and are lonely and haven't been able to get out to connect with those seniors.

Many students, like those at Ripley High School in Jackson County, are writing encouraging letters to healthcare workers to show them their support.

Our first responders are also stepping up. I heard a very touching story about those at the Gilmer County Volunteer Fire Department--right in the heart of our State--and how they are driving around to different houses to celebrate the birthdays that are happening during this time. You can imagine what that could mean to a 4- or 5-year-old child to see a fire engine coming by in celebration of his birthday.

Another inspiring story I heard was from a constituent in Wirt County. Her name is Deb. Deb realized the need for masks very early on, and she started an initiative called ``Sewing Faith.'' She has donated materials, and she and the women have sewn over 2,500 masks. They leave these masks on her front porch, in a sanitized container, for their healthcare workers. That makes it easy for them to pick them up.

I have heard of businesses donating money to pay for the gas of healthcare workers. Our car dealerships are donating masks, and neighbors are donating food to the hospitals and to others who are not able to get to the store. Over the weekend, I heard of one of my neighbor's children. I asked: Where is he? They said he was across the street, talking to Sue. Sue was widowed recently. She is by herself, and he went in and had a cup of coffee with her.

I have heard of West Virginians taking to the streets during this stay-at-home period and singing songs to brighten the days of their neighbors, and I have seen Facebook posts of young people who have offered to run errands for seniors or for those who are more vulnerable to this virus.

This is the spirit of our country, and this is the spirit of my State, the West Virginia spirit. I could go on and on because there are 1,000 more stories like this, but do you know what? Just a few stories can give us hope, stories that help to shed some positivity on what is a very difficult, stressful, and lonely time.

I have said on this floor many times that I am an optimist, and I know we will get through this because our country is strong, because our States are strong, and because my West Virginians are strong. We have heard some very inspiring stories this afternoon, and they are examples of kindnesses happening all across this country. This is the kind of kindness that we need today. We need it every day, but we really need it today.

Think about all of these unsung heroes. Thank them, but also learn from them. Let's all learn a lesson here and spread some kindness throughout our communities.

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