[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 113 (Thursday, September 21, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1551-E1552]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  ONE YEAR AFTER TAIWAN'S DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE OF SEPTEMBER 21, 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 21, 2000

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, just one year ago today--early on the 
morning of September 21, 1999--a powerful earthquake rocked Taiwan, 
leaving over 2,453 people dead, 701 seriously injured, and 52 missing. 
Immediately after the quake, the government of the Republic of China on 
Taiwan quickly mobilized and organized relief and rescue efforts. 
Assistance and donations poured in from across Taiwan and from around 
the world. Some 21 countries sent more than 700 experts and specialists 
from many fields to assist in the effort. This was an important show of 
support and solidarity by the international community for Taiwan.
  Now, a year after the tragic quake, it is possible to assess the 
massive assistance which the Taiwan government has taken to help those 
affected by the disaster. It has provided $87 million to assist 
families with members who died in the quake or are still missing. 
Monetary compensation for families with total or partially destroyed 
homes has amounted to

[[Page E1552]]

$520 million. Through private sector funding, the government has 
established shelters for over 5,200 families. Some $430 million has 
been allocated for quake victims for rent subsidies, and an additional 
$3.3 billion has been provided for rebuilding loans for quake victims 
and their families. In quake-affected areas, the government has made 
major efforts to repair damaged roads and bridges.
  Mr. Speaker, realizing that reconstruction is a long term project, 
Taiwan's new President, Chen Shui-bian, established a cabinet-level 
special commission on June 1 of this year to oversee reconstruction 
efforts in home design, engineering, infrastructure, and sanitation. 
The commission will also oversee public welfare and counseling of 
survivors. Members of this commission will be drawn from different 
government agencies and ministries. The goal of the commission is to 
coordinate all relief operations and to form a comprehensive plan to 
enable quake victims and their families to rebuild their lives.
  Mr. Speaker, as we mark this anniversary, I urge my colleagues to 
join me in extending condolences to the victims of this horrible 
tragedy. I also invite my colleagues to join me in commending the 
government of the Republic of China in Taiwan and its leaders for their 
extensive efforts in providing immediate and long-term assistance to 
the victims affected by last year's tragic earthquake in Taiwan.

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