Recognizing the heroic efforts of the West Virginia National Guard and local responders for their work rescuing 17 individuals from a downed military helicopter on a rugged, snow-covered mountain on the Pocahontas-Randolph county line.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1153) recognizing the heroic efforts of the West Virginia National Guard and local responders for their work rescuing 17 individuals from a downed military helicopter on a rugged, snow-covered mountain on the Pocahontas-Randolph county line.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1153, recognizing the heroic efforts of the West Virginia National Guard and local responders for their work rescuing 17 people from a downed military helicopter on a rocky, snow-covered mountain on the Pocahontas-Randolph county line. I would like to thank my colleague from West Virginia, Mr. Rahall, for putting this resolution together.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to spend this time recognizing the individuals and organizations involved in the execution of this tremendous rescue.

On February 18, 2010, a West Virginia Army National Guard HH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, skillfully piloted by a native of Bluefield, West Virginia, Major Kevin Hazuka, located the downed aircraft in extremely difficult circumstances. The snow and ice of the Pocahontas-Randolph county line at the time was treacherous, and the valor of Major Kevin Hazuka should be commended by all.

I would like to commend Staff Sergeant Nicole Hopkins and Specialist Casey Dunfee, two West Virginia Army National Guard flight medics. Sergeant Hopkins and Specialist Dunfee were lowered to the site in order to provide medical care throughout the night as rescue workers labored their way to the survivors.

Thanks are also deserved to the pilot of the 130th Airlift Wing of the West Virginia National Guard who assisted by orbiting the crash site in a C-130 Hercules aircraft in order to facilitate vital communication.

Volunteers, civilians, service men and women alike all gave a hand to help rescue the survivors. The Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort assisted by providing invaluable machinery and staff to help evacuate the injured.

Local West Virginians helped by donating snowmobiles that enabled first responders to reach the site. The Shavers Fork Volunteer Fire and Rescue Unit was instrumental in using special equipment and snowmobiles to clear a path to the location of the crash.

The Valley Head Fire Department, Northern Greenbrier EMS, Greenbrier County Ambulance, White Sulphur Springs EMS, Cass Rescue, and Greenbank National Radio Astronomy Observatory staff all provided extremely vital support for the effort. In addition, the Pocahontas County Emergency Management, West Virginia State Police, Pocahontas County Sheriff's Department, Pocahontas County 911, and the U.S. Forest Service also lent a hand in order to help assist the victims of the crash. The coordination and support they provided was also invaluable.

Finally, the Bartow-Frank-Durbin Volunteer Fire and Rescue made a valiant attempt to approach the crash site from the north side with support from the State of West Virginia Departments of Natural Resources and Highways, neighboring Randolph and Tucker County Sheriff Departments and EMS units, Elkins, Harmon, and Huttonsville-Mill Creek Volunteer Fire Departments, and the American Red Cross.

Mr. Speaker, this resolution acknowledges and thanks the West Virginia National Guard, local first responders, and volunteers around the area for their successful efforts to rescue the 17 individuals. House Resolution 1153 recognizes the courage, ability, and determination of West Virginians.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my friend and colleague and the sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall).

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

I'd like to thank my friend from Maryland for recognizing me. I'd particularly like to thank my fellow member of the delegation, Mr. Rahall, for bringing House Resolution 1153 forward. The occurrence of this crash straddled two of our counties. His is Pocahontas and mine is Randolph. We both know very well that we

don't call West Virginia ``Wild and Wonderful'' for no reason. This is one of the wildest parts of our beautiful State. And so I want to offer my congratulations to the brave men and women of the 130th Airlift Wing, which is headquartered in Charleston, West Virginia, in my district, and all the first responders and citizens who helped with this rescue.

As we've heard, Major Hazuka of Bluefield, West Virginia, of the 130th Airlift Wing of the National Guard, discovered the Navy Kittyhawk helicopter which had crashed over Randolph and Pocahontas Counties in terrible weather conditions. They acted very, very quickly. I would also like to honor Army National Guard Flight Medics Staff Sergeant Nicole Hopkins and Specialist Casey Dunfee, who were lowered to the landing site to give emergency medical care and to help coordinate the efforts.

The 130th Airlift Wing represents the best of West Virginia, and their heroic response to this crash further establishes their importance to this State. As my colleague from West Virginia so eloquently put it, it didn't surprise any of us. This unit and those around our State and around this Nation are known for their willingness to step up when they're most needed. But the terrain and the weather on that particular day was incredibly dangerous.

I know my colleague from Pennsylvania mentioned all of the different units of first responders that responded that day, but I would like to repeat their names: the West Virginia Civil Air Patrol, the Valley Head Fire Department, the Northern Greenbrier EMS, Greenbrier County Ambulance, White Sulfur Springs EMS, Cass Rescue, and the Greenbank National Radio Astronomy Observatory, which is very close in Pocahontas. I'd also like to thank the Snowshoe Resort for their willingness to share equipment. We also had the Pocahontas County Emergency Management, West Virginia State Police, Pocahontas County Sheriffs Department, Pocahontas County 9/11, U.S. Forest Service, Bartow-Frank-Durbin Volunteer Fire and Rescue, along with the Department of Natural Resources and sheriff departments from the surrounding areas.

As you can see, it was a collegial effort, an enormous effort, and one that when we first received the news of this accident over our local television and radio stations, really had us on the edge of our seats because I think we knew how treacherous a rescue in this area could be at this time of year.

So I'd like to say congratulations. Again, I'd like thank my colleague Mr. Rahall for bringing this resolution forward, and I would like to ask my colleagues to join in congratulating not only our first responders and our National Guard, but also take the time to thank their local and State National Guard and local first responders for all the good work they do voluntarily every day for our benefit.

Mr. Speaker, I first commend the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Critz) for his invaluable support in helping us bring this resolution to the floor today. I know that it is a special recognition to a special group of people. I do support the heroic efforts of our West Virginia National Guard and our local responders and would urge all of my colleagues to support the pending resolution, H. Res. 1153.

I have personally visited with the National Guard members mentioned herein and the local responders and members of the Bartow, Frank, and Durbin communities' Volunteer Fire Departments in Pocahontas County a couple months ago. On Thursday, February 18, 2010, earlier this year, the heroic actions of West Virginians brought about the highly successful rescue of 17 military personnel who were on board a U.S. Navy helicopter participating in the Operation Southbound Trooper X annual military exercise, which went down in deep, snow-covered, and very rugged terrain in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

The remarkable rescue was an outstanding and highly coordinated effort on the part of many highly trained professionals as well as private citizens, who worked under very difficult conditions to reach the crew and personnel on board the aircraft, many of whom had been injured in the crash. West Virginians are the best neighbors for whom you could ever wish. It is a truth that has been proven time and again. This historic rescue effort was, thankfully, a rare event, but it was not at all out of character for our State of West Virginia. In fact, it was merely illustrative of the best of our State.

The swift response, the astounding skills and abilities, the enormous courage, and profound determination of all those involved in the rescue operation, from those who serve in and lead our West Virginia National Guard to our local fire, rescue, law enforcement, and first responder units, and the countless volunteers, families, and neighbors nearby, most certainly made the difference between life and death. While no expression of gratitude would ever be sought for such selfless acts, the hope that one good turn deserves another never dims with our West Virginians.

On behalf of my fellow West Virginians and on behalf of my colleague from the neighboring congressional district, Representative Shelley Moore Capito, we are pleased to support H. Res. 1153, to honor these good deeds and to illuminate them as a beacon for others. I would ask that my fellow Members join in support of this resolution. I, again, thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Critz) for his invaluable support as well.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1153, which recognizes the heroic efforts of the West Virginia National Guard and local responders for rescuing 17 persons from a Navy helicopter that crashed in the wintry mountains of that State in February of this year. I want to commend Representative Nick Rahall for sponsoring this legislation.

This incident, precipitated when a Navy helicopter was forced down in remote mountainous terrain, exemplifies all that is best about the National Guard and its ability to work cooperatively and effectively with local civilian responders in crisis situations.

Without the rapid, integrated response of the West Virginia Army and Air National Guard, the volunteer efforts of local citizens, the support of local emergency management services, and perseverance of State and local fire and rescue services and agencies, 17 people could have died from their injuries and from exposure. Thankfully, there were people at every level of government who were trained, equipped, and prepared to respond.

This resolution specifically honors those citizens of West Virginia, but it should also remind each Member to express appreciation to the people in our own States and districts, selfless Americans who willingly sacrifice their comfort and safety for others.

In my own district and State, Guards men and women have adopted a flexible ``plug and play'' organization model that enables members to report to the closest armory in time of emergency, thereby minimizing the overall response time during events like the unprecedented snowfalls we experienced this winter. Their round-the-clock vigilance exemplifies the spirit of the National Guard emergency personnel at all levels of government.

Thus it is fitting that we honor and thank the soldiers and airmen of the National Guard as well as the first responders and emergency and rescue personnel across our Nation, who, when disaster and tragedy strike, step forward to save and serve their fellow citizens. I urge all Members to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito), an original sponsor of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.