[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 142 (Saturday, October 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2037-E2038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HURRICANE RELIEF FOR PUERTO RICO RESIDENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEVE R. ROTHMAN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 9, 1998

  Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to extend my deepest 
sympathies and offer my support to those on the island of Puerto Rico 
who have suffered losses due to the damage caused by Hurricane Georges. 
I would also like to clear up some confusion regarding the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal agency currently 
working to alleviate the pain and suffering caused by the hurricane.
  I recently learned that erroneous reports regarding the funding of 
FEMA have been circulating in Puerto Rico. Some in the Commonwealth 
have stated to the press that funding for the FEMA program is obtained 
from local taxes and user fees within Puerto Rico and thus, the 
inhabitants of Puerto Rico are being forced to fully fund the FEMA 
relief efforts on their own. These reports are completely untrue.
  On the contrary, the funds for FEMA come from the U.S. Treasury 
general fund and are appropriated by the Appropriations Committees in 
the House of Representatives and the Senate. The general fund is 
supported by the collection of federal taxes and federal user fees from 
citizens of the mainland of the United States. Thus the burden of FEMA 
relief efforts is not being incurred solely by citizens of the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
  I urge all of my colleagues in the United States Congress to join me 
in continuing efforts to aid our fellow American citizens in

[[Page E2038]]

Puerto Rico in their time of need. We need to continue to seek disaster 
relief funding for FEMA before Congress adjourns.

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