Recognizing Kentucky Ice Storm Volunteers
Floor Speech
RECOGNIZING KENTUCKY ICE STORM VOLUNTEERS -- (House of Representatives - April 21, 2009)
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Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, as the author of House Resolution 214, I am proud that we're here today to recognize the efforts of countless volunteers who helped the Commonwealth of Kentucky recover from the ice storm of January 2009.
Today I rise to recognize what went well following this terrible storm, and that is the volunteers who made a distinct difference in the lives of many Kentuckians.
I traveled across the district in the days following the January 26 storm, and I was quickly reminded of how the people of Kentucky joined together in this time of need to serve each other and not themselves. This may have been the worst natural disaster in Kentucky's history, but it brought about the best of our people.
The spirit of volunteerism was seen in county after county and town after town as we all united around a common purpose--to help the countless citizens affected by this devastating storm cope with the aftermath and begin with the recovery process.
Kentucky State and local officials should be praised for their efforts to enlist the help of volunteer agencies, faith-based groups and community organizations that quickly realized the needs that resulted from the ice storm would far exceed what the government could provide. So they asked churches, nonprofit organizations, school groups and many others to help, and help they did.
In the days following the storms, I watched with pride as volunteers provided shelter, meals and other valuable services to lend a hand to many of the people in my district and around Kentucky. I watched the members of the Kentucky National Guard, who were activated to help, and volunteer the use of their personal vehicles to rescue stranded victims. Many public service officers, police officers, first responders, firefighters, and many utility people were out 24 hours a day. And I watched 4-H and Homemakers Clubs plan to serve meals to 75 people but to find the extra resources to serve nearly 200 instead.
While there are many efforts that should be praised today, I am reminded of the effort coordinated in Ohio County by Ms. Charlotte Whittaker who volunteered to organize her county's shelter. Within 48 hours of the storm, Ms. Whittaker opened the doors to a shelter at Southern Elementary School where nearly 400 people from 21 months old to 98 years old found relief in shelters in the days that followed. Nearly 450 volunteers, many young people in high school and college, operated the shelter for 12 days by serving meals, cleaning dirty laundry, sweeping floors, organizing donated clothing and doing whatever needed to be done to help.
The volunteers came from many different States. I talked with a nurse from Alabama and a member of the Red Cross from Indiana and electrical crews from across the Southeast, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic. I appreciate all of them traveling to give their valuable time and talents. When I visited this shelter, I quickly realized that lives were saved because of Ms. Whittaker's efforts and the many others who volunteered to help in Ohio County.
This is just one example of the many endeavors that took place across Kentucky. No matter the size of the volunteer efforts, they all made a difference in saving lives and helping the Commonwealth of Kentucky get back on its feet after this terrible storm. The volunteers played a key role and should be praised for giving up their valuable time and resources to offer support. They are a true testament to the American spirit.
I want to thank my colleagues from Kentucky for being extremely supportive of this effort in recognizing the volunteers. I want to thank my colleague from our great City of Louisville for being here on the floor today. And I want to thank everybody who helped our Commonwealth recover from this terrible disaster we endured this year.
I ask for my colleagues' support.
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