[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 8 (Thursday, February 3, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   URGING FULL SUPPORT FOR FEDERAL FUNDING FOR EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FOR 
                               CALIFORNIA

  (Mr. TUCKER asked and as given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in full support of the 
supplemental appropriation bill for earthquake relief for California. 
Mr. Speaker, it would seem that this call for help from California's 
most devastating natural disaster in the history of our country would 
be a simple plea. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding 
that there are those who will question this earthquake relief measure, 
will question this bill as to the money that is being spent.
  Mr. Speaker, this is unfortunate, even though I understand that we 
are asking for some $9.5 billion, and, of course, the price tag 
continues to go up. The damages in California are estimated to be about 
$30 billion.
  However, Mr. Speaker, this was the greatest natural disaster in the 
history of this country, with 57 people dead, 6,500 people injured, 
200,000 people applying for disaster relief. Let me say, on a personal 
note, Mr. Speaker, that I was there when this earthquake hit.
  For those of us who think that this is just a California problem, we 
must remember that the earthquake in California of today is the flood 
in Members' areas tomorrow, or the hurricane in their area next week. 
Mr. Speaker, this is a time for all Americans to rally together, and 
all the Representatives who represent America to say that we must give 
relief where relief is needed.

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