[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 132 (Monday, October 4, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H9289]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              NORTH CAROLINA RECOVERS FROM HURRICANE FLOYD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Among all the death, destruction and despair that has 
been visited upon the people of North Carolina as a result of Hurricane 
Floyd, there are many bright spots. This evening, I would like to 
acknowledge some of those who have given of themselves and their 
resources to this vital cause.
  There are many deserving people who have helped North Carolina in the 
aftermath of Hurricane Floyd. I want to thank President Clinton for 
adding $20.3 million in low-income energy assistance funds to his 
original extended relief package of $528 million. Thank you, Mr. 
President. I wish to thank my colleagues, Representatives from the 
neighboring States, who have banned together to support the victims of 
this disaster. A special thank you to the director of FEMA, Mr. Witt; 
and to our governor, Mr. James Hunt, of North Carolina and their staffs 
for working around the clock to rescue and relieve North Carolina 
residents.
  Some 52,000 citizens have called FEMA now seeking assistance, and 
Governor Hunt has had to deal with many more. Thank you, Mr. Witt and 
Governor Hunt, for your dedication to those in need.
  I wish to take a minute to thank the Red Cross and the Salvation Army 
for their special help. The Red Cross opened many shelters. The 
Salvation Army provided mobile kitchens. And we appreciate the efforts 
of FEMA to provide meals ready to eat, ice, blankets, water and 
emergency generators. We also appreciate the hundreds of individuals in 
local communities, neighbors and citizens who have helped and are 
helping out continuously. And we appreciate the outpouring of support 
and resources from across the Nation. Truckloads from Baltimore, 
busloads from Washington, D.C.; students from North Carolina colleges, 
churches from far and wide, citizens of every hue, every stripe, every 
background, all Americans, helping out.
  I know of heroic rescue efforts of people, farm animals and pets 
conducted by neighbors, local fire departments as the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Smith) just mentioned, state police officers and their 
staffs. I wish to commend them all for their dedicated service.
  A ray of sunshine was seen in North Carolina today. Today, October 4, 
1999, schools reopened for thousands of North Carolina students. This 
is a big step forward in the long, painful attempt to return to 
normalcy after Hurricane Floyd. Tarboro High School in devastated 
Tarboro opened school today and about 60 percent of the students looked 
forward to attending school. I am grateful to all who have made the 
small routine tasks like attending school become a reality after so 
many days of fear and flooding. I am very grateful for those North 
Carolina children of our great Nation who strived hard to reestablish 
their daily routines and attend school today, perhaps under continuing 
family hardships.
  I am very thankful for the county school teachers, principals, and 
maintenance workers that made reopening schools in North Carolina one 
of their top priorities. I am appreciative of the State emergency 
workers who worked with Federal agencies, FEMA, and my district office 
staff in Greenville and Norlina, many of them affected by the hurricane 
themselves but who put the welfare of others first. These public 
servants have worked long and hard hours to help clean up the 
communities and find food and shelter for the needy, and worked long 
hours to keep North Carolina afloat when it looked as though it was 
sinking.
  I am especially thankful for the deep-spirited North Carolina people 
who have shared with me in letters and phone calls and private visits 
their willingness to share with their neighbors. Some folks have said 
they look forward to rebuilding their communities with hard work and 
the cooperation of others. Even a disaster of this magnitude will not 
hold North Carolina back.
  Again, I sincerely thank all for so much outpouring of goods, donated 
food, clothes, contributions and, most of all, the volunteerism of time 
through the local community churches, their congregations in North 
Carolina and every other State in the United States. All have been 
terrific. I have never been so proud of my State's people or to be an 
American as now during this time of crisis.
  Most of all, I want to thank all who have helped, for giving us hope 
to rebuild North Carolina, places like Princeville, Tarboro, Kinston, 
Goldsboro, Pinetops and Greenville back into the great places they 
were. Thank you all.
  Yet much more help is needed and support. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I 
intend to join with Members of Congress from other impacted States to 
try to send a legislative package for further relief to the President 
for signing. As a part of that package, we need to update the laws so 
that small farmers and small businesspersons can be treated on an equal 
footing with other families. We will also need more resources, and that 
will also be a part of the legislative package.
  Tomorrow, we will consider a resolution offering our colleagues an 
opportunity to go on record as willing to help and provide the 
necessary resources to make a difference. The people of North Carolina 
are resilient, and we will bounce back from the situation. But we will 
need the help of all Americans.
  The winds will go, the rain will go, the rivers will crest, the 
cleanup will begin, and the restoration and rebuilding will take place. 
The spirit of North Carolina will return, Mr. Speaker, with your help 
and the help of our Colleagues.

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