On the recordFebruary 10, 2020
In the dark of night in January 2020, my constituents near the Watson Grinding and Manufacturing Company were awakened by a catastrophic explosion around 4 a.m. in the morning. Unbeknownst to these working families, this particular manufacturing building had propylene, and there was a leak, and there was a seismic explosion. Four hundred homes have been damaged to the extent that people cannot return. Tragically, two employees were killed. Due to the fact that the shift had not started, there wasn't a catastrophic killing of employees, innocent employees. A truck was blown from one part of the street to the other. We now cannot find the owner of this particular company. Homes are still destroyed. Businesses are destroyed. There is no one to call. I will be introducing legislation that insists that companies have the responsibility to report to local jurisdictions the dangerous flammable and toxic materials that they are holding. We are still fighting to get relief for these innocent victims, and we are asking Mr. Watson to stand up and do what he said he would, which is to take care of all of these persons. Well, he is doing it by filing bankruptcy. We will not rest until all of these homes and homeowners find a way for relief. I ask Members to join me in the legislation that will protect communities across the Nation. ____________________
