July 10, 2025
Mr. Tony Gonzales of Texas (for himself, Mr. Cloud, Mr. Pfluger, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Mr. Veasey, Mr. Ellzey, Mr. Doggett, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mrs. Fletcher, Mr. Crenshaw, Mr. Cuellar, Mr. Luttrell, Ms. Garcia of Texas, Mr. Gooden, Mr. Norcross, Mr. Williams of Texas, Mr. Gottheimer, Mr. Arrington, Mr. Carbajal, Mr. Goldman of Texas, Mr. Hunt, Mr. Evans of Colorado, Ms. Salazar, Mr. Mast, Mr. Amodei of Nevada, Mr. Fleischmann, Mr. Rose, Mrs. Miller of West Virginia, Mr. Webster of Florida, Mr. McCormick, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Ezell, Mr. Langworthy, Mr. Mann, Mr. Stauber, Mr. McDowell, Mr. Guest, Mr. Higgins of Louisiana, Mrs. Biggs of South Carolina, Mr. Lawler, Mr. Van Drew, Ms. De La Cruz, Mr. Alford, and Mr. Joyce of Ohio) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Commending Petty Officer 3d Class Scott Ruskan for his heroic efforts to rescue victims during the devastating flooding in central Texas.
Whereas, starting on July 4, 2025, catastrophic flash flooding occurred in and downstream from the Texas Hill Country, particularly in Kerr County, resulting in extensive damage and tragic loss of life;
Whereas, in just a few hours, significant rainfall caused the Guadalupe River and surrounding waterways to rise rapidly and dangerously, threatening the safety and well-being of thousands of residents;
Whereas the magnitude of the flooding necessitated an immediate and extensive response by Federal, State, and local authorities, including the deployment of Coast Guard personnel, aircraft, and resources from Air Stations Corpus Christi, Houston, and Miami to support search and rescue operations;
Whereas Petty Officer Ruskan is from Oxford, New Jersey;
Whereas Petty Officer Ruskan enlisted in the Coast Guard on September 28, 2021;
Whereas Petty Officer Ruskan was the Basic Training Honor Graduate of his company;
Whereas Petty Officer Ruskan completed Aviation Survival Technician A-School in July, 2024;
Whereas Petty Officer Ruskan currently serves at Air Station Corpus Christi as an Aviation Survival Technician Third Class;
Whereas Petty Officer Ruskan, during the first rescue mission of his career, displayed exceptional courage, selflessness, and professionalism by directly saving an astonishing 165 individuals from the rising floodwaters;
Whereas Petty Officer Ruskan served as the only triage coordinator on the Camp Mystic site, ensuring that victims received timely medical care and stabilization under hazardous and rapidly changing conditions;
Whereas Petty Officer Ruskan’s actions exemplify the highest traditions of service in the Coast Guard and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the Armed Forces; and
Whereas the people of Texas and the entire Nation are deeply grateful for Petty Officer Ruskan’s heroic service and dedication to saving lives during this devastating natural disaster: Now, therefore, be it
That the House of Representatives—
(1)
commends and congratulates Petty Officer 3d Class Scott Ruskan for his extraordinary bravery and heroic efforts to rescue 165 victims during the catastrophic flooding in central Texas; and
(2)
extends its deepest gratitude to all members of the Coast Guard, other Federal and State agencies, first responders, and volunteers who risked their lives to protect and rescue others during one of the deadliest natural disasters in Texas in recent memory.