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[Pages S48-S49]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CLOTURE MOTION
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk on
the motion to proceed.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cloture motion having been presented under
rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion.
The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
Cloture Motion
We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the
provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate,
do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the motion to
proceed to Calendar No. 1, S.1, a bill to make improvements
to certain defense and security assistance provisions and to
authorize the appropriation of funds to Israel, to
reauthorize the United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act
of 2015, and to halt the wholesale slaughter of the Syrian
people, and for other purposes.
Mitch McConnell, John Hoeven, Roger F. Wicker, John
Cornyn, Rick Scott, Mitt Romney, Cory Gardner, Marco
Rubio, John Thune, Chuck Grassley, Todd Young, John
Barrasso, Deb Fischer, Lindsey Graham, Johnny Isakson,
James E. Risch, John Boozman.
Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the mandatory quorum call
be waived.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The Senator from Louisiana.
Remembering the Victims of the I-75 Collision near Gainesville, FL
Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. President, I rise to speak in memory of five
children from Louisiana, my home State, who were tragically killed in
an awful car wreck last Thursday in Florida--Jeremiah Warren, 14; Joel
Cloud, 14; Cara Descant, 13; Brieanna Descant, 10; and Cierra Bordelon,
9 years old--all from Marksville, LA, a small town of less than 6,000
people.
All of the children were members of the Avoyelles House of Mercy
Church family. They were traveling together in a van with four other
children and three women from the House of Mercy Church while on their
way to Disney World. A tractor-trailer that was traveling in the
opposite direction hit a car that crossed the highway, hit their van
and another 18-wheeler, and created a ball of fire. The drivers in the
two tractor-trailers died as well--Steve Holland of Florida and Douglas
Bolkema of New Mexico. We include them in our prayers.
Losing five children is such a devastating tragedy for the Marksville
community. One can hardly imagine the grief and shock that grips
everyone who knew them--their neighbors, friends, family, and fellow
church members.
Pastor Eric Descant said: ``I cried so much this morning that my
tears felt like lava running out of a volcano.'' His granddaughters
Brieanna and Cara died in the crash. His wife, Karen, is still
hospitalized.
During a Monday night vigil at Marksville High's stadium, Pastor
Descant spoke to the crowd over the PA system by phone from Florida. He
said: ``I never knew a heart could break so much and still work.''
He also delivered an important reminder that even in the midst of
such immense heartache and loss, ``God will get the glory out of it.''
He added: Don't stop. Keep praying.
I know so many around Louisiana and the country are doing just that.
We are also praying for the full recovery of those who were injured
and who are still hospitalized: Karen Descant, Robyn Rattay, Amy
Joffrion and her 14-year-old son Noah, Ali Laborde and her 11-year-old
daughter Chelsea, and two other children, 9-year-old Trinity Woodward
and 9-year-old Chance Bernard.
We are sincerely grateful to the people in Florida who assisted the
victims and their families--the first responders, law enforcement,
everyone at Health Shands Hospital, North Florida Regional Medical
Center, and the Pentecostals of Gainesville.
To those around the country who have heard about this tragedy and
have donated money through GoFundMe, thank you for your generosity,
support, and prayers.
To my fellow Louisianans, I remind you of what Scripture says in
Psalm 34: ``The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the
crushed in spirit.''
[[Page S49]]
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Louisiana.
____________________