Mike Pence: “as the American people saw on national television this morning, the Indiana flood of 2003 moves forward at a…”

“as the American people saw on national television this morning, the Indiana flood of 2003 moves forward at a heartbreaking, record-setting pace. The St. Mary's River in Decatur, Indiana, crested last night at nearly 28 feet, an all-time historic high for that river, and the Wabash River as well. But because of the work of local heroes, like Decatur Mayor Fred Isch, Fire Chief David Brinneman, State Police Master Sergeant Rodger Popplewell, and National Guard Unit Leader Sergeant Mike Hiester, thousands of volunteers filled more than 176,000 sandbags in Decatur, Indiana, alone. And when the St. Mary's River crested, it did not break the levee. There are so many to be commended, but I remember two in particular, Decatur Police Officer Mark Cook, who organized the sandbag filling at the Wal-Mart parking lot, and even 13-year-old Melanie Vergary, who went out and worked and stuffed bags. The Chaplain said today, ``unless the Lord watches over the city.'' Surely, Mr. Speaker, we would ask the Lord to watch over this city and all the cities in Indiana affected by the flood of 2003 and all those who labored to protect it.”