Congressman Jimmy Patronis Marks Five Years Since Surfside Building Collapse
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Congressman Jimmy Patronis commemorated the fifth anniversary of the tragic collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida. The tragedy claimed 98 lives, forever changed countless families, and became one of the deadliest building collapses in American history. The Congressman recounted the brave first responders, rescue teams, and volunteers who answered the call in the aftermath.
Congressman Patronis served as Florida's Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal and recalls visiting the Surfside collapse site in the days following the tragedy.
"Five years later, I still remember standing at that site and seeing the devastation firsthand," said Congressman Patronis. "The loss of 98 innocent lives left a scar on our state that will never fully heal. I'll never forget the families searching for answers, the community coming together in grief, or the extraordinary courage of Florida’s Urban Search and Rescue teams who worked around the clock in the face of unimaginable heartbreak. Today, we remember those we lost, pray for the families who continue to carry that pain every day, and honor the heroes who answered the call when Florida needed them most. God bless the State of Florida, and God bless the United States of America."
To view images from the Surfside building collapse, click here.
The Surfside tragedy claimed 98 lives and forever changed countless families. Five individuals escaped, and three were rescued from the rubble with severe injuries as first responders and search teams worked tirelessly in the aftermath.
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