119-hres618

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 618 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. RES. 618

Commending the Coast Guard, Air Station Corpus Christi, and the crew of 
 CG-6553 for their heroic efforts and courageous response to the 
 catastrophic flooding across central Texas.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 July 29, 2025

 Mr. Cloud (for himself, Mr. Crenshaw, Mr. Graves, Mr. Williams of 
 Texas, Mrs. Fletcher, Mr. Lawler, Ms. Johnson of Texas, Mr. Tony 
 Gonzales of Texas, Mr. Carter of Texas, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Higgins of 
Louisiana, Mr. Babin, Mr. Cuellar, Mr. Green of Texas, Mr. Veasey, and 
Ms. Crockett) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
 the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

Commending the Coast Guard, Air Station Corpus Christi, and the crew of 
 CG-6553 for their heroic efforts and courageous response to the 
 catastrophic flooding across central Texas.

Whereas, beginning in the predawn hours of July 4, 2025, heavy rainfall resulted 
 in catastrophic flooding that devastated many Texas Hill Country 
 communities, resulting in the tragic loss of life;
Whereas the Guadalupe and Colorado Rivers, and their surrounding waterways, rose 
 rapidly and perilously, immediately endangering the life of thousands as 
 they slept;
Whereas nearly 12 inches of rain fell in the headwaters of the South Fork of the 
 Guadalupe River, upstream of Camp Mystic, Kerrville, Hunt, and Comfort, 
 Texas, resulting in the river rising over 26 feet in 45 minutes;
Whereas, at 5:30 a.m., Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi launched a search 
 and rescue crew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, call sign CG-6553;
Whereas the crew of CG-6553 consisted of aircraft commander Lieutenant Ian 
 Hopper, copilot Lieutenant Blair Ogujiofor, flight mechanic AMT3 Seth 
 Reeves, and rescue swimmer AST3 Scott Ruskan;
Whereas CG-6553 was unwavering in their response despite severe weather and poor 
 flying conditions that caused 3 aborted landing attempts due to 
 inadvertent instrument meteorological conditions;
Whereas, on the fourth landing attempt, the crew of CG-6553, with their unique 
 weather radar capabilities, successfully led numerous rotary-wing assets 
 into the disaster zone;
Whereas, during his first rescue mission, AST3 Scott Ruskan became the only 
 first responder on scene when he was inserted into the flood zone at 
 Camp Mystic, and for over 3 hours, he triaged and coordinated the rescue 
 of 165 lives, working with local, State, and military airframes across 3 
 landing zones;
Whereas Lt. Ian Hopper, Lt. Blair Ogujiofor, and AMT3 Seth Reeves continued to 
 airlift and evacuate 15 lives from the disaster area aboard their MH-65 
 Dolphin helicopter;
Whereas the Coast Guard aggressively sustained continuous operations through the 
 deployment of 54 Coast Guard personnel, numerous air assets consisting 
 of 8 MH-65 Dolphin helicopters and 2 HC-144 Ocean Sentry fixed-wing 
 aircraft, and resources from Coast Guard Air Stations Corpus Christi, 
 Houston, and Miami;
Whereas the crew of CG-6553 and the Coast Guard carried out one of the most 
 consequential rescue operations this country has ever seen, bringing 
 hope to the helpless;
Whereas, in the face of tragedy, our Coast Guard servicemembers reminded Texas 
 and the Nation of what makes this country strong: selflessness, courage, 
 and professionalism by those willing to step into danger to protect 
 others; and
Whereas the actions of aircraft commander Lieutenant Ian Hopper, copilot 
 Lieutenant Blair Ogujiofor, Aviation Maintenance Technician Petty 
 Officer Third Class Seth Reeves, Aviation Survival Technician Petty 
 Officer Third Class Scott Ruskan, and all of the Coast Guard personnel 
 who deployed into the disaster zone exemplified the courage and devotion 
 to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the Coast Guard: Now, 
 therefore, be it
 Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

    (1) commends the Coast Guard for its courageous and swift 
 response to the flooding disaster in Texas;

    (2) expresses its profound and deep appreciation for the 
 extraordinary Coast Guard members who risked their lives to 
 save hundreds from the floods; and

    (3) extends its deepest gratitude to all of the Federal, 
 State, and local first responders and volunteers who have 
 responded to this horrific tragedy to help Texas in its time of 
 need.
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