Recognizing Zaka

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the first responders who responded to the horrific tragedy on June 24, 2021, when the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, FL, suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night.

Our Jewish Community, particularly Orthodox Jews, have been especially affected by this tragedy. We are incredibly grateful to ZAKA for immediately rushing in to respond following the building collapse. They swiftly heeded the call of duty to aid in rescue and recovery efforts. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes.

International rescue crews and emergency support organizations from Israel responded to the site to aid in the search, rescue, and recovery efforts. ZAKA Search and Rescue, a nonprofit based in Israel, specializes in search and rescue and recovering remains for proper burial under Jewish law. ZAKA sent rescue workers to Surfside to provide critical support and assist with identifications and burial preparation. They worked tirelessly and relentlessly to make sure that the needs of the community were met.

ZAKA offered resources, support, and comfort to the survivors and community in Surfside. In the face of tremendous loss, ZAKA heeded the call to action, and for that, we will be eternally grateful. We can never thank them enough for their bravery and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy. Ann and I continue to pray for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source