Thomas Daschle: “one of the great fears of our time has been that America is slowly losing its sense of community and, with it, the idea…”

“one of the great fears of our time has been that America is slowly losing its sense of community and, with it, the idea that each of us has a responsibility toward one another. Today, I am proud to say that all around America our spirit of community remains strong. As you know, the Great Plains have been paralyzed this winter by terrible blizzards, high winds, and subzero temperatures. But thanks to the efforts of individuals all over the country, I am happy to report this afternoon that we are pulling through. I am proud to say that during the worst of the bitter cold and howling winds, South Dakotans have been at their best. They have bundled up, put on their boots and trudged outside to help their friends and neighbors--even perfect strangers--make it safely through dangerous storms. Residents of the northern Great Plains are accustomed to harsh winters. But all would agree, this winter has been especially brutal. Some say it is the worst we have seen this century. I remind you that most of this century has already passed. In the blizzards that descended upon us in January, wind chill temperatures dropped to nearly 90 degrees below zero. Blowing snow covered roads with drifts that were as high as 30 feet and 60 feet long. Visibility dropped to less than a few feet as 60-mile-an-hour winds whipped snow into swirling white walls, hiding everyone and everything before it.”