Storm Damage in Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, Tennessee, and Alabama

Floor Speech

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to be joined here by my colleagues from Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, Tennessee, Alabama and the states that have been impacted by the devastating storms that occurred earlier this week. While we had hoped that the entire Mississippi and Arkansas delegations could join us, Representatives Gregg Harper and Alan Nunnelee from Mississippi, and Representative Tim Griffin from Arkansas, are back home today coordinating with the federal, state and local officials who are organizing disaster assistance efforts. Tomorrow Representative Griffin will be touring the devastation in Arkansas' second district with Secretary Johnson from the Department of Homeland Security.

All these delegations have spent hours keeping close contact with one another and with officials in Arkansas, in particular regarding the tornado that ripped through Vilonia, Mayflower, El Paso and Perrin, leaving a path of destruction in central Arkansas and the same is true for the other affected states. The destruction we've witnessed is heartbreaking and our prayers go out to those affected by all these devastating storms, especially those who lost loved ones. All of us would like to thank the first responders, volunteers and neighboring communities for all their assistance, donations, prayers and tireless efforts during this difficult time. Their hard work and dedication has saved countless lives. We also urge those who can to continue to help in any way they can to assist in the recovery and rebuilding of neighborhoods and communities that were impacted by these storms.

We also honor and remember those we lost. Representative Griffin asked that I share a story of one of his constituents, U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Daniel Wassarn, who served as load master instructor with the 138th airlift wing at the Little Rock Air Force Base. The master sergeant lived in Vilonia, Arkansas with his wife, Suzanne, and his two young daughters. According to reports, Master Sergeant Wassam sacrificed his own life to shield his 5-year-old daughter from falling debris. His example of selflessness and bravery during this disaster is one all Americans and Arkansans can admire.

I now ask for a moment of silent prayer to honor all the victims of those recent tragic events.

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