Max Baucus: “Christopher Reeve once said that ``A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in…”

“Christopher Reeve once said that ``A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.'' Today I wish to call attention to five Montana heroes--everyday folks making a superheroic effort to help their friends and neighbors. I enjoy sharing these stories. I am proud of these stories because they tell the story about what it is to be a Montanan. For all the flooding that is going on in my State of Montana and in other States of the Nation, I am happy to mention the names of many Montana heroes who have been rising above and beyond the call of duty and are following Christopher Reeve's definition of what it means to be a hero. We in Montana pride ourselves in helping our fellow neighbors. I know that is true in States all across our country. I don't want to say it is just in the State of Montana, but I can say that in our State it is special. We in Montana sometimes say we are one big small town. It is a big State, not a lot of people. We tend to know each other. There is a strong sense of camaraderie and community which I think is even stronger in my State than perhaps in some others. My home State continues to face severe flooding. The Jefferson River, which is one of the three rivers that form the headwaters of the Missouri River, is over its banks at Three Forks, MT.…”