[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 22, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE HITS TAIWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 1999

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, a devastating earthquake struck Taiwan 
earlier this week. The quake was centered 90 miles south of Taipei in 
Nantou county. Registering 7.6 on the Richter scale, the quake has 
claimed more than 1,800 lives and destroyed hundreds of homes. 
Thousands more are believed to be trapped in the rubble, and the death 
toll is expected to increase. Aftershocks continue to rumble through 
Taiwan.
  The earthquake crippled Taiwan's infrastructure in the hardest hit 
areas. Phone, power and water lines were knocked out. Over 100,000 
people were left homeless sleeping on blankets in makeshift shelter 
areas. Roads are barely usable as large gashes crisscross many of the 
main thoroughfares in central Taiwan making it extremely difficult for 
rescue workers to deliver aid.
  I understand that a number of Americans may have family or friends in 
Taiwan. Many of them may be extremely worried due to the lack of 
information and the inability to contact them by phone. I call upon the 
U.S. Department of State and the Taipei Economic and Cultural 
Representative Office. Taiwan's de facto embassy in the U.S., to 
coordinate efforts to keep them informed of further developments and to 
provide all reasonable assistance in locating and determining the 
status of their family and friends.
  The U.S. Agency for International Development, the lead U.S. agency 
for international humanitarian efforts, has activated a team of 100 
search and rescue personnel and 106,000 pounds of equipment. They have 
also provided a general information number that can be reached at 1-
800-USAID-RELIEF. I commend USAID for their swift and efficient 
response to this humanitarian disaster, and I am certain that they will 
continue to work closely with Taiwan to coordinate relief efforts.
  USAID has indicated the transportation of relief goods to Taiwan is 
very difficult and inefficient at this time, so monetary donations are 
preferred. To that end, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative 
Office established the ``Taiwan Earthquake Relief Fund'' for 
individuals interested in providing support. Donations can be made to 
Riggs Bank, account number 17306006, 1913 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC, 20016.
  The U.S. is not the sole nation involved in the search and rescue 
effort. The response from the international community has also been 
swift. Switzerland, Germany, Singapore, Japan and Russia have all sent 
personnel and equipment to Taiwan to assist with search and rescue 
efforts.
  All the rescue teams are working non-stop to comb through the rubble 
in search of survivors. God bless them for their tireless and 
courageous efforts.
  My thoughts and prayers are with them all in the aftermath of this 
tragic disaster.

                          ____________________