[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 51 (Friday, April 25, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S3702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            DISASTER RELIEF

  Mr. WELLSTONE. My last point, Mr. President, which is again related--
and I see my colleague from North Dakota has now come to the floor--is 
that one of the things I hope we will do next week--the sooner the 
better and I hope we will do it right--is, please, colleagues, help all 
of us out from the States of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and 
some other States as well. Many of the people who we truly love have 
just been devastated by this flooding. It really seems of Biblical 
proportions. It is unbelievable what has happened.
  We are now trying to put together a disaster relief bill to enable 
people to get back on their own two feet, to be able to rebuild their 
lives, and to rebuild our communities. The bill that is coming over 
from the House Appropriations Committee takes us in that direction, but 
we have to do better on the Senate side. This is, of course, evolving. 
We do not know the extent of the damage yet. But I ask my colleagues, I 
plead with my colleagues, please give us all of your support. We are 
going to have to especially make sure that we get the assistance 
directly to individuals.
  For a lot of our small businesses that have been completely wiped 
out, completely wiped out--people have just lost their homes--right now 
we do not have near the direct grant assistance we need, and some of 
the loan programs just will not help them get back on their feet. All 
of us are working very hard on this. This is truly an example of there 
but for the grace of God go I.
  Every time there has ever been a disaster relief bill come to the 
floor of the Senate, I have never hesitated to support it because I 
always know that this could happen to anybody.
  Nobody in South Dakota or North Dakota or Minnesota asked for this. 
People did not ask for their towns to be under water, did not ask to 
lose their homes, did not ask to be refugees, and did not ask to have 
their small businesses wiped out. If there is ever a role for 
Government, it is to try to help people that really need help.
  Mr. President, I just urge all of my colleagues, please, help us out, 
Democrats and Republicans alike. Please let us do well for the people 
in our States. This is something that I think really, truly should and 
must unite all of us together.
  Mr. President, with that, I yield the floor.
  Mr. CONRAD addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Dakota is recognized 
for 10 minutes.
  Mr. CONRAD. I thank the Presiding Officer.

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