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Floor Speech
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Mr. BUDD. Madam President, 1 year ago, Hurricane Helene brought devastating winds and recordbreaking rainfall to Western North Carolina. Families were displaced; homes were destroyed; and, tragically, lives were lost. Even in the face of devastation, North Carolinians showed remarkable strength, unity, and compassion.
Today, I rise to recognize Mr. Eddie Hunnell of Holly Springs, NC, who exemplified that spirit. On Friday, September 27, 2024, floodwaters surged through the North Fork New River in Grassy Creek, NC. Mr. Hunnell had made a 3\1/2\-hour trip to Western North Carolina to celebrate his son's wedding.
But what should have been a joyous occasion quickly turned into a crisis. As rising water carried trees, furniture, and other debris downstream, Mr. Hunnell spotted a 66-year-old Grassy Creek resident in distress, Ms. Leslie Worth. She was wearing a life jacket. She was standing in the second-story bedroom window of her home that had been knocked from its foundation.
Ms. Worth bravely jumped out of the window to save her own life. She plunged into the dangerous conditions and was swept up by the current. And without a moment's hesitation, Mr. Hunnell made the brave decision to attempt to rescue her. He steered a canoe through the flood, then, undeterred by the raging current, leapt into the water and swam to reach her. Through determination and resolve, he swam to her to safer ground, undoubtedly saving her life. This was nothing short of an act of extraordinary bravery and selflessness.
Once Ms. Worth was reunited with her husband, Mr. Hunnell welcomed the couple to join the family that evening at his son's rehearsal dinner. He knew they were without a home, without a meal, and without any warmth. He even went further by setting up a fund to help them rebuild their lives, and he was the very first to contribute.
In June, Mr. Hunnell was recognized for this extraordinary act of heroism as a recipient of the Carnegie Medal. This award honors civilians who risk death or serious physical injury, to an extraordinary degree, saving or attempting to save the lives of others. And I can think of no one more deserving than he.
The motto of the great State of North Carolina is ``Esse quam videri,'' which means ``to be rather than to seem.'' I firmly believe Mr. Hunnell has lived out our State's motto to the fullest. His actions remind us that in times of crisis, ordinary individuals can perform extraordinary deeds. I am grateful for his swift, lifesaving intervention during Hurricane Helene to save an innocent life.
I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring him for his exemplary service. May his courage continue to be an inspiration for us all.
(Mrs. BRITT assumed the Chair.)
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