[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 153 (Wednesday, November 3, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT THE PRESIDENT SHOULD RECOMMEND ACTIONS FOR 
                  RELIEVING VICTIMS OF HURRICANE FLOYD

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 2, 1999

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
thank the gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. Taylor, and commend all 
the Members from the 11 States, which continue to suffer the affects of 
Hurricane Floyd, who have come together to bring H. Res. 349 to the 
floor. This measure represents the tragedy that many of us have 
experienced in our congressional districts; and reflects the dismay of 
the thousands of suffering individuals, families, businesses and 
communities, who have been working to rebuild their communities for the 
past 6 weeks without sufficient Federal aid.
  Throughout my home State of New York, the devastating affects of 
Hurricane Floyd are continuing to be felt. Homes have been flooded, 
businesses shut down, and the agricultural community, which has been 
devastated by high winds and drought over three of the past 4 years, is 
once again struggling to rebound. Numerous municipalities throughout 
Orange, Rockland and Westchester counties have sustained significant 
infrastructure damage and are looking to the Federal Government to 
provide them with assistance.
  Accordingly, we have introduced H. Res. 349, to express the sense of 
the House that the President should immediately recommend to Congress 
actions, including appropriations offsets, to provide relief and 
assistance to victims of Hurricane Floyd.
  The citizens, who have come together to rebuild their broken 
communities, deserve our aid. Hurricane Floyd was one of the worst 
natural disasters in American history. However, we have placed the 
burden of recovery on those who have suffered the most.
  Accordingly, we stand today to send a message to the President and 
the people that we must address this tragedy and provide adequately for 
our injured homes.

                          ____________________