[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 25, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         FLOODING IN MILWAUKEE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. THOMAS M. BARRETT

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 25, 1997

  Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend southeastern 
Wisconsin experienced serious flooding when more than 7 inches of rain 
fell within 12 hours, forcing hundreds of my constituents from their 
homes and causing millions of dollars in damages. Many residents of 
Milwaukee County were without electricity, trying to rescue their 
valuable possessions, furniture, major appliances, and other household 
essentials from flooded and mud-caked basements. Schools, roads, 
government buildings, and municipal equipment also suffered significant 
damage. In fact, my family and I spent 2 days getting a foot and a half 
of water out of our own basement.
  Since the flooding began, I have been in contact with local and State 
disaster officials, as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
[FEMA] and the Small Business Administration [SBA], to coordinate a 
response to this disaster. Today, FEMA officials are in Milwaukee to 
survey the damage and provide a preliminary damage assessment [PDA] to 
the President as he decides whether to declare the region a Federal 
disaster area. I am confident that the people of Milwaukee will work 
together to repair the damage caused by the flooding, and that we will 
be successful in our efforts to rebuild.
  As a result of this disaster, I was not present during rollcall votes 
225, 226, and 227 on Monday, June 23. I strongly support these three 
amendments to the Defense authorization bill, and had I been present, I 
would have voted ``aye'' on each. I am pleased that the House approved 
these amendments overwhelmingly, and I look forward to their 
consideration in the Senate.

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