Moment of Silence for the Victims of the Deepwater Horizon Tragedy

Floor Speech

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Mr. CASSIDY. Madam President, 5 years ago today, 11 Americans were
lost when the Deepwater Horizon exploded off the gulf coast. I would
like to name them. This is hard. These were the people we grew up with.
I apologize for being emotional, but these are our neighbors, and so to
remember them--Jason Anderson 35, Midfield, TX. Jason had two kids, and
his wife Shelley said that Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday.

Aaron Dale ``Bubba'' Burkeen, 37, of Philadelphia, MS. He passed on
his wedding anniversary and 4 days before his birthday. He was married
with two children.

Donald Clark, 49, of Newellton, LA. Husband to Sheila with four kids.
He was a fisherman. To honor him on the anniversary of his death, his
family says a prayer and releases balloons over a lake in his favorite
color, which is sky blue.

Stephen Ray Curtis, 40, of Georgetown, LA. Stephen was married and
the father of two teenagers.

Gordon Jones of Baton Rouge, LA. Gordon was 28. His wife was
Michelle. His son Max was born 3 weeks after Gordon passed. An oak tree
was planted on the LSU campus on the path where he ran.

Roy Wyatt Kemp, 27, of Jonesville, LA. He was married to Courtney and
father of one child.

Karl Kleppinger, Jr., 38, of Natchez, MS. He was a veteran of the
first gulf war and the father of one.

Keith Blair Manuel, 56, of Gonzales, LA. Keith had three daughters,
was a big fan of LSU sports, and had football and basketball season
tickets.

Dewey A. Revette, 48, of State Line, MS. His wife was Sherri. They
had been married for 26 years.

Shane M. Roshto, 22, of Liberty, MS. He was the youngest of the men
who died. His wife was Natalie, and his son is Blaine.

Adam Weise, 24, of Yorktown, TX. Adam drove 10 hours to Louisiana
every 3 weeks to work on the rig. He was a high school football star
and spent his off time hunting and fishing.

We pray that the families find peace in the memories of their sons,
husbands, and fathers.

The spill was the worst in our Nations's history, and while the
consequences of this spill are still seen, it is our task to live
forward and, in so doing, honor the memory of these men and provide a
better future for their families.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that there be a moment of
silence to honor their memory.

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