Politics

The Thoughts and Prayers of Congress Are With the People of Georgia

By Karina

Today, the House passed a resolution by Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) expressing condolences to the families of the individuals killed during storms and floods in Georgia this past week and expressing gratitude to all of the emergency personnel who continue to work with unyielding determination to meet the needs of Georgia?s residents.

Speaker Pelosi:

I thank the gentleman for yielding and for giving us this opportunity to come to the floor to express on the floor of the House our condolences to the people of Georgia in this very, very sad time.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Georgia delegation, for calling attention to the serious flooding in Georgia and other parts of the American Southeast and for this resolution to offer our condolences on behalf of all Members of Congress.

Of course, we all offer our condolences to those who lost their lives ? we?re very sad to hear about those who have lost their homes and livelihoods. Those lost ? Mr. David Scott referenced those nine people dead, dozens stranded, and more than 30,000 without electricity.

Those lost include a teenage boy trying to rescue another in danger, a mother of two young children, and a very young child, 2 years old, who was swept away from his father?s arms. When that word came over the TV, my colleagues, all of America wept. It is so sad and our hearts ache for those who have lost so much.

But in the emerging sun, what do we see? We see neighbors coming to the aid of neighbors, and the tireless work of our first responders.

Members of Congress are being briefed on the ongoing effort by our Members of the Georgia delegation. Thank you, Mr. Lewis, for being the author of this resolution. We are all trying to reach out to you to see what we can do to help individually in conversation and as a Congress. I know that President Obama will act upon the request that he has just received ? well he has received the request from Governor Perdue, now he has received the formal documentation from FEMA and I?m certain that will be addressed immediately.

The thoughts and prayers of this entire Congress and the people we represent ? the American people ? are with the people of Georgia today, and in the days ahead as we work with them to ensure they have all that they need.

And I hope that it is some level of comfort to them that their representatives on both sides of the aisle from Georgia have made us fully aware of the direct impact that the rains have had on Georgia and we stand ready to help with whatever we can do officially. But always, what we can do in our prayers.

Full post as published by The Gavel on September 23, 2009 (boomark / email).