[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 125 (Thursday, September 12, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S10405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             HURRICANE FRAN

  Mr. FAIRCLOTH. Madam President, a week ago today, hurricane Fran 
devastated my home State of North Carolina.
  Last Thursday, after the last Senate vote, I drove down to North 
Carolina and was there for the storm. I have viewed first hand much of 
the damage to my State.
  The damage has been far worse and more widespread than anyone would 
have imagined.
  Madam President, first, I want to congratulate the people of North 
Carolina for their handling of this storm.
  I have found that in times of crisis, the American people, like no 
other people in the world, rise to the occasion to tackle their own 
problems.
  The people deserved to be congratulated first and foremost.
  Second, Madam President, I want to thank the thousands of volunteers, 
national guardsmans and those from other States who are helping with 
our clean-up effort. And, I want to thank the public employees who are 
on the scene helping our State cope with this disaster.
  The storm has been devastating in the fact that it has left hundreds 
of thousands of people without electricity. Today, over 100,000 people 
are still without power. Electricity is a modern convenience that we 
often take for granted, but the power outages have been the most 
difficult of all the problems.
  I have urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency to allow two key 
power plants to resume operations as soon as possible. I am told that 
they have granted this authority. I think this will help the situation 
immensely.
  Madam President, the storm has also left, maybe a billion dollars in 
property and agriculture damage. North Carolinians are proud of the 
fact that they can solve their own problems.
  But, the damage may be insurmountable without the Federal 
Government's help.
  Madam President, in recent years, we have had a number of natural 
disasters in the United States. This has lead to a sharp increase in 
the amount of disaster costs to the Federal Government. Madam 
President, I think it is fair to say that the Government's money should 
be spent wisely, therefore, I would hope that the private sector, 
insurance companies, and our lending institutions, will do all that 
they can so that we can limit the cost of the clean-up burden that will 
be placed on the taxpayer.
  Estimates are being drawn now of how much disaster assistance will be 
needed. I am hopeful that money we have already appropriated will cover 
the damage, however, the damages may be so great, particularly with 
respect to crop damage, that more could be needed.
  I thank Majority Leader Lott for his commitment to move any 
legislation that would provide for additional funding.
  Also, I have spoken with James Lee Witt and with Secretary of 
Agriculture Dan Glickman, and both have assured me that they will be as 
helpful as possible.
  Finally, Madam President, my office and I am sure all the North 
Carolina delegation offices stand ready to help our citizens. I have 
dispatched more staff to Raleigh to deal with the influx of citizens 
that will need our help. If they need help, my office stands ready to 
assist the clean-up effort.
  Madam President, again, I want to praise the people of North Carolina 
for their determination in this crisis. And, I want to extend my 
personal sorrow, and I am sure the Senate's sorrow for the families of 
the 21 North Carolinians who died as a result of this storm.

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