Louisiana Has Brave First Responders

Floor Speech

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Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and thank Louisiana's brave first responders who valiantly rose to the occasion this summer as our State was hit with unprecedented wildfires, the largest of which is still burning today.

We had tens of thousands of acres that have been charred. Nearly half of the parishes in my district were ablaze. At one time, parts of Sabine, Beauregard, Allen, Vernon, Natchitoches, Grant, Caddo, and DeSoto Parishes were all on fire.

Our communities received support from the State fire marshal, the State police, the National Guard, as well as nearly every local police and fire department in the region. The U.S. Forestry Service dispatched firefighters from many States around the country to help.

Many of the first responders have been volunteers, Louisianans who donated time, money, and shelter to their neighbors in need. This disaster tested our State more than ever, but we responded.

Louisiana is home to the most resilient people you will ever meet, and we will bounce back from these wildfires just as we have done after every disaster we have ever faced. It is a great honor to represent so many of these heroic individuals in Congress.

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