Political Quotes

“I offer these remarks today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the law enforcement officers and other first responders that worked to ensure the safety of the residents of Buchanan County during the horrendous flooding caused by heavy rainfall in the small town of Hurley, Virginia, on August 30, 2021. Their efforts saved lives and were core to rescue and recovery following the destructive power of the flood. Particularly, I honor Buchanan County Sheriff John McClanahan, Deputy Raymond Webb, Deputy Lieutenant Brandon Hall, Deputy Lieutenant Ryan Mitchell, Deputy Billy Owens, Deputy Aaron Skeens, Deputy Andy Webb, Deputy John Hagy III, and Deputy Tasha Meadows. The excessive rainfall resulted in blocked roadways, numerous landslides, and severe flooding in the town of Hurley. There were school closures from the storm as well. All of this caused devastating damage and jeopardized the safety of many. In the face of danger, these officers and first responders of Buchanan County displayed great heroism by rescuing a number of citizens from harm's way. The storm caused a level of flooding in Hurley which has not been seen for nearly 20 years and matched any level of devastation from a natural disaster that I have seen in the Ninth Congressional District of Virginia. Hundreds of residents had to evacuate their homes. As many as a thousand were left without power and drinking water, and I saw roughly 20 homes that had been uprooted from their foundations.…”