Richard Hudson: “I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and for her tremendous leadership. I also thank Chairwoman McCollum and Ranking…”

“I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and for her tremendous leadership. I also thank Chairwoman McCollum and Ranking Member Joyce for working with me on this very important amendment. In my congressional district in North Carolina resides the Uwharrie National Forest, which many of my constituents call home. This national treasure is a pillar of our community and brings folks from all across the Nation and the world to North Carolina every year. But for those who live in the Uwharrie National Forest, it looks a lot different. My constituents in the Green Gap community have had to contend with dangerous roads in the Uwharrie National Forest for years while the Forest Service has neglected their maintenance. As someone who has seen firsthand how dangerous these roads are, I can attest to the critical need to pave these roads. One of my constituents had a heart attack, and the ambulance couldn't get down the road because of ruts and the washouts. Thankfully, the desperate but resourceful paramedics got out of the ambulance and sprinted down the road with a stretcher. Another one of my constituent's house burned to the ground because the road was so impassable, the fire truck couldn't get to the house to put out the blaze. Put yourself in the shoes of my constituents. Imagine living with this fear every day. Working with me, the State of North Carolina has stepped up with financial assistance and agreed to maintain these roads.…”