In any community, this tragedy would have been overwhelming.  But in a small state like Rhode Island, when a close-knit town in the center of our state falls victim to one of the worst nightclub fires in the nation’s history, the impact is simply incomprehensible.  It is said that in our world today, only six degrees separate each one of us from any other person.  As our attorney general remarked, in Rhode Island, that distance is more like one and a half degrees.  Everyone here has a connection to one of the victims, and indeed, connections are being made by people all across New England and the country.

As Rhode Islanders begin the healing process, I want to express my deepest condolences to those friends and family members who lost loved ones in this horrible fire.  Please know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of all Americans, and we will not let the lives of these 97 sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, mothers and fathers be forgotten.  

As of this afternoon, 64 people remained hospitalized, 46 of them in critical condition.  Mr. Speaker, I know you and our colleagues join me in offering our prayers for their quick and full recovery.  They are fighting every hour, and they need our strength now more than ever.  Our best wishes go out to them and their families as they weather the tough days ahead.

I would also like to express my immense gratitude for the incredible and heroic efforts of the multitude of people and agencies from Rhode Island and Massachusetts who have helped respond to this disaster.  

The firefighters, police and emergency responders who were first on the scene made a Herculean effort under unimaginable circumstances, and we surely have them to thank that even more lives were not lost.  In addition, over a dozen hospitals in Massachusetts and Rhode Island have been caring for patients since this tragedy, many of whom have made amazing progress.  The doctors and staffs of these hospitals have worked tirelessly to help nearly two hundred injured victims, and we are grateful for their service.

As usual when tragedy strikes Rhode Island, our community has proven strong, resilient and boundlessly generous.  I want to recognize the work of countless volunteers who have put their own lives on hold to offer time, financial resources, and many other kinds of assistance to help in any way they can.  Likewise, many members of our state’s business community have come forward to provide everything from food and shelter to transportation to those affected by this event.  I would particularly like to thank the Red Cross and its scores of volunteers for all they have done to give comfort and assistance to those whose loved ones were lost or injured.

I would like to also commend the excellent response by Rhode Island’s elected officials and state and local agencies.  Governor Carcieri has provided outstanding leadership throughout this tragedy and shown extraordinary sensitivity to the families involved, and I have personally heard from many of them how much they appreciate his efforts.  Lt. Governor Charles Fogarty and Maj. Gen. Reginald Centracchio, as Co-Chairs of the Emergency Management Advisory Council, have also played a crucial role in this crisis, and the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency has impressively and effectively coordinated a myriad of state and local activities.  

I would also like to thank my colleague, Representative Patrick Kennedy, for his assistance and support over the past several days, and Rhode Island’s Senators, Jack Reed and Lincoln Chafee, for their tremendous efforts.  Finally, I want to express my great appreciation for the assistance of several federal agencies, including FEMA, the Small Business Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.  Their involvement has been critical, and I look forward to working with them further in the days and weeks to come.  

Mr. Speaker, in closing, allow me to offer these final thoughts.

For those that have lost their lives, we can only take comfort that they are now in a better place.

For those that fight hour to hour, we pray for your recovery.

For the families and friends who have lost loved ones, we offer our shoulders to lean on in your time of need.

For all Rhode Islanders, and our fellow citizens across the country, it is our time to provide strength, comfort and assistance to those who need it and do whatever it takes to ensure that such a tragedy never befalls any community again.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.