Inspiring Acts of Kindness Occurring in Wake of Hurricane Katrina
INSPIRING ACTS OF KINDNESS OCCURRING IN WAKE OF HURRICANE KATRINA -- (House of Representatives - September 07, 2005)
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share one of the many inspiring stories of personal commitment and sacrifice that have occurred in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In the Eleventh District of Georgia in the town of Marietta, my hometown, a community came together to rescue more than 30 hurricane victims from the Waldo Boys Home in Louisiana.
It started when Marlene Murphy, an employee at InfoMart, a local company in Marietta, made a desperate appeal to her fellow workers. Marlene's sister and brother-in-law were counselors at the Waldo Burton Boys Home in New Orleans. They were stranded, along with many of the residents and staff, after floodwaters engulfed that city.
Without wasting a bit of time, InfoMart employees, led by the company's president, Tammy Cohen, swung into action, taking on the cause as their own. The employees brought food, clothing, and necessities for the stranded boys. They notified the Coast Guard of the situation. Naval Air Station Atlanta's Captain Sean King and other leaders in the community quickly organized a mission to rescue these victims.
InfoMart rented three passenger vans and a truck, and they started that long trip to New Orleans. On the way, there were plenty of reasons to turn back: 2-mile long lines for gas, police barricades, and even cars driving on the wrong side of the interstate.
But these volunteers did not for a second think of themselves or their troubles. They were only focused on rescuing these boys, no matter what; and I am proud to report that their mission was a success. Fifteen boys, aged from 12 months to 15 years, along with 16 staff and family members, were brought back to Marietta, Georgia, where now they were welcomed by a generous community eager to help.
After spending the night in donated rooms at the Marietta Conference Center, the boys are now being transitioned into three homes owned by the YWCA. They have been fed. They have been given fresh clothes and personal necessities. Efforts are being made also to locate other family members, and local businesses and charities are donating the resources needed to get these victims settled.
Mr. Speaker, if I thank all the people who deserve praise for this astonishing and selfless effort, we would be here all night. A gas station in Birmingham donated gas for the trip home, and local restaurants, like Panera Bread and Mellow Mushroom Pizza, are donating food for the boys. InfoMart employees and community members have donated supplies, clothes, and that most important gift of all, their time.
This is a shining example of a community coming together to help another community. In this time of crisis we can draw strength from the knowledge that Americans are helping Americans. It is good to know that the American way is a generous and giving one.
Mr. Speaker, the acts of kindness I have witnessed in Katrina's wake make me proud to be a citizen of this great Nation. Neither waves, nor rain, nor wind, nor blistering heat can crush the American spirit. Wherever nature kicks us down, there are millions of hands waiting to lift us up.
There are many acts of kindness taking place across this Nation, and I ask that you join me in praising the selfless dedication our citizens have shown in opening their wallets, their homes, and, most importantly, their hearts.
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