[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 6, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1089-S1091]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 18--RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SYMPATHY FOR THE VICTIMS OF 
 THE DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE THAT STRUCK EL SALVADOR ON JANUARY 13, 2001

  Ms. LANDRIEU (for herself and Mr. Dodd) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                               S. Res. 18

       Whereas, on the morning of January 13, 2001, a devastating 
     and deadly earthquake of a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter 
     scale shook the entire nation of El Salvador, killing more 
     than 700 people, injuring more than 3,000, and leaving more 
     than 50,000 homeless;
       Whereas the earthquake of January 13, 2001, has left 
     thousands of buildings in ruin, caused deadly landslides, and 
     destroyed highways and other infrastructure;
       Whereas the strength, courage, and determination of the 
     people of El Salvador has been displayed since the 
     earthquake;
       Whereas El Salvador is still recovering from years of civil 
     war, hurricane damage, and flood damage;
       Whereas the people of the United States and El Salvador 
     share strong friendship and mutual interests and respect;
       Whereas some United States specialists from Costa Rica and 
     Miami, including specialists from the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue 
     Department, were deployed to assist disaster relief efforts 
     in El Salvador;
       Whereas United States military personnel from the United 
     States Southern Command are providing some technical 
     assistance;
       Whereas the USAID/Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) 
     has set up an office in El Salvador's National Emergency 
     Committee (COEN) to assist the office in its coordination 
     efforts and to ensure access to the latest information; and
       Whereas the United Nations launched an appeal for 
     humanitarian assistance and initial rehabilitation to address 
     the devastation caused by the powerful earthquake: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) expresses its deepest sympathies to the people of El 
     Salvador and other Central American countries for the tragic 
     losses suffered as a result of the earthquake of January 13, 
     2001;
       (2) expresses its support for the people of El Salvador as 
     they continue their efforts to rebuild their cities and their 
     lives;
       (3) expresses support for disaster assistance being 
     provided by the United States Agency for International 
     Development and other relief agencies;

[[Page S1090]]

       (4) recognizes the important role that is being played by 
     the United States and other countries in providing assistance 
     to alleviate the suffering of the people of El Salvador; and
       (5) encourages a continued commitment by the United States 
     and other countries to the long-term, sustainable development 
     of El Salvador.

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I thank my colleague for his tremendous 
leadership in this area for many years as it relates to Latin America. 
He is usually the first one on the floor to outline a strategy for U.S. 
assistance because he knows that we share mutual benefits in opening 
trade lines and expanding our cultural ties to this particular part of 
the world. I thank him for his leadership.
  On behalf of the Senator from Connecticut and myself, I send a 
resolution to the desk and a bill that I will briefly describe.
  Mr. President, the resolution simply calls the attention of the 
Congress to this particular dilemma in El Salvador, a country that has 
been wracked for decades by war, only to be hit 2 years ago by one of 
the largest and most destructive hurricanes. And now to face an 
earthquake is almost too much to describe.
  As the Senator from Connecticut pointed out, the devastation has 
totaled about $1 billion. To put that into perspective, that is 5 
percent of El Salvador's entire GDP. The equivalent of 5 percent of the 
United States' GDP is $500 billion. When hurricane Andrew struck, it 
was the largest natural disaster in our history at $7 billion. So it is 
hard for us in America to understand what a natural disaster can do to 
a country whose economy is so fragile.
  We are blessed in this Nation with an abundance of resources. We have 
the means and structures in place to deal manage such crises. When 
devastation like this hits other countries, they just reel. If we are 
not there quickly with assistance, it is very difficult, if not 
impossible, for them to recover.
  Let me be quick to point out that the people of El Salvador will do 
everything they can to help themselves; they will work hard and 
struggle. But the U.S. must be quick to aid them. That is what our 
resolution calls for.
  Our bill specifically calls for quite a modest amount, but a start, 
to aid the over 50 thousand people who lost their homes. There is an 
immediate need for shelter. That is how our bill will help in some way 
to complement what USAID is doing now.
  I am happy to urge my friends and Members in the Senate and the House 
to come quickly to the aid of a country that needs so much help.
  Mr. President, like many of my colleagues, I have watched the 
humanitarian calamity unfurl in El Salvador, with horror and sorrow. In 
the wake of a 7.6-size earthquake, the people of Central America are 
struggling to rebuild their lives. Still marred by hurricane and flood 
damage, they are desperate for help: to heal the wounded, feed the 
hungry, and shelter the displaced. And now, my colleagues, tragedy has 
struck these people once again. Crisis has not spared the men, women 
and children of El Salvador.
  Of course most of the destruction is difficult to quantify. The death 
toll is over 700, with nearly 3,000 people injured, over 50,000 
estimated homeless, 46,000 evacuated, and 91,000 homes damaged or 
destroyed. In fact, as President Francisco Flores pleaded for 
international aid, he requested an additional 3,000 coffins.
  As our Latin American neighbors desperately seek comfort in their 
faith and family, let us find solace in a passage from the Second Book 
of Corinthians: ``Blessed be God . . . God of all comfort; Who comforts 
us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who 
are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are 
comforted by God.''
  The United States must rise to the occasion, and respond with aid. 
Perseverance has proven a critical trait for Salvadorans these last few 
weeks; we shouldn't count it to become a way of life.
  Already, our ties with El Salvador run deep along both cultural and 
historic lines. On one score, El Salvador has stood by the U.S. as a 
strategic ally and crucial trading partner during and after the Cold 
War. On another, the U.S. remains home to millions of immigrants who 
have sought refuge from calamity in Central America. Helping Central 
America rebuild is of special concern in Louisiana. It may come as some 
surprise to my colleagues to learn that New Orleans, with one of the 
largest Honduran and Salvadoran communities in the U.S., is often cited 
as one of the largest Central American cities outside Latin America. 
And with organizations like Partners of the Americas, we are continuing 
to foment our bonds of friendship with Central America. The Louisiana 
Chapter of Partners already has two Medical Assistance and Emergency 
Preparedness teams set up for travel to El Salvador to work in delivery 
of health care and work with communities on future needs.
  It was these strong connections and long history of humanitarian aid 
which induced us to respond to pleas for help after Hurricane Mitch in 
1998. And for these reasons, I am introducing two pieces of legislation 
today. The first is a resolution to raise awareness of the 
circumstances in El Salvador. Simply put, I am sure that my colleagues 
will join me and Senator Dodd in expressing sympathy for the victims of 
the devastating earthquake that struck El Salvador January 13, 2001.
  The second piece of legislation is meant to complement USAID's 
current efforts to provide short term relief and establish preventative 
measures to prepare for future disasters. As USAID and the State 
Department help draft long term strategies for Central America, let us 
not neglect some immediate concerns. One of the most pressing problems 
afflicting the Honduran people is lack of shelter. In the last 
Congress, I authored legislation with several senators on both sides of 
the aisle that provided $10 million for the home building program for 
Central American countries affected by Hurricane Mitch. Today, I hope 
my colleagues will join me in supporting a similar measure to help 
complete the work which we began. We must do all that we can to 
expeditiously provide homes for the more than 50,000 displaced persons 
through El Salvador. Time is of the essence.

  In the last Congress, we witnessed a historic meeting in the 
Capitol's LBJ Room hosted by Senators Lott and the late Paul Coverdell. 
There, four Central American Presidents made it clear to us that 
permanent housing along with opening trade opportunities were among the 
highest priorities for their recovery. The Republican leader and 
members of his caucus were very helpful in providing housing aid after 
Hurricane Mitch.
  And yet, here we are, in the beginning of an entirely new Congress. 
People are once again homeless, and have no suitable means to protect 
themselves from future natural disasters. I will be working along with 
other colleagues on both sides of the aisle--to see that we do all we 
can in the area of housing in Central America. Let us begin today, with 
El Salvador. Then we shall extend our efforts throughout the region, to 
try and stop such devastation from occurring again. Let me assure our 
Central American friends of one thing, we will not turn our backs on 
you.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today to speak on behalf of the 
people of El Salvador and India who are working so bravely towards 
recovery in the wake of the devastating earthquakes that recently 
struck those nations.
  In the case of El Salvador, the death toll has exceeded 700, and 
countless numbers have been left injured and homeless. More than 68,000 
people have been evacuated with no promise of ever returning, and 
60,000 are living in temporary shelters. Indeed, in addition to the 
74,000 homes that were so suddenly destroyed last month, another full 
118,000 may have been damaged beyond repair, and in some areas, Mr. 
President, one quarter of schools were completely destroyed. While the 
cost of rebuilding is still being calculated, the El Salvador National 
Emergency Committee estimates that it most certainly will run to over 
$1 billion, with an estimated $100 million loss in agricultural revenue 
alone.
  At the time of the quake the people of El Salvador were already hard 
at work rebuilding their country after the 12 years of civil conflict 
that had claimed the lives of 70,000 men, women, and children during 
the 1980's. Their suffering, as they struggle toward stability and 
development, has only been compounded by the natural disasters of

[[Page S1091]]

the past two years. After a dozen years of civil strife, the people of 
El Salvador were able to reach a political settlement of their 
differences. This speaks volumes about their commitment and courage. 
Since the 1992 peace accords, they have worked to build a prosperous 
and democratic country. This is a people tested well beyond what they 
should be asked to bear. At each step on the path to recovery they have 
faced a new challenge, and each time they have responded tenaciously 
and stepped forward again.
  Mr. President, this earthquake is not the first time in recent memory 
that a natural disaster has brought devastation on such a wide scale to 
the people of El Salvador. In addition to this terrible earthquake, 
there has also been a serious outbreak of dengue fever, a serious and 
debilitating disease. And it was only two years ago that Hurricane 
Mitch tore through Central America, exacting an unbearable toll on an 
already fragile region. In the countries of El Salvador, Honduras, and 
Nicaragua, more than 11,000 lives were swept away in the rain, winds, 
and massive landslides that Mitch wrought. In some areas, more than 70 
percent of crops were demolished. The price tag of that devastating 
hurricane soared to more than $4 billion once a full accounting was 
made.
  Mr. President, the people of El Salvador did not simply wring their 
hands in despair at the devastation of Mitch. They worked to improve 
their lives--they rebuilt roads, and schools, and homes. They began to 
address the needs of citizens dealing with painful losses and an 
uncertain future. They began to pull themselves, with the help of 
international monetary and humanitarian assistance, out of the darkness 
created by Mitch when they were struck again by another wanton force of 
mother nature. This earthquake, which registered a thundering 7.6 on 
the Richter scale, once again threatens to break the back of an already 
struggling nation.
  Mr. President, the story unfolding right now in India is no less 
compelling and deserves our equal attention and concern. January 26th 
is traditionally a day of celebration in India, a day when people 
gather with their families in their homes to celebrate Republic Day, 
their constitution, and their country. But this January the clamor of 
parades and cheers was replaced by the roar of collapsing buildings 
torn down by an earthquake registering 7.9 on the Richter scale, the 
worst earthquake in India in a half century. Tremors were felt in 
Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh as the earth shook early that morning.
  Hardest hit was Bhuj, a city of 150,000 in the Gujarat state, only 43 
miles from the quake's epicenter. The government of India places the 
official death toll at more than 16,000, but estimates this figure 
could climb to a ghastly 100,000 in the days and weeks to come. Six 
hundred thousand people have been left homeless, many of whom are 
sleeping out in the open, with too few blankets among them, for fear of 
returning to unsteady buildings. Many others simply have no place to 
go. As many as 35 million people have been affected in some way by the 
earthquake, a figure so staggering it is almost impossible to 
comprehend. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of 
Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) places the cost of rehabilitation and 
reconstruction at $1.3 billion.
  The daunting task that now lies before us is to bring some measure of 
relief and care to those who were spared, including an estimated 3,000 
orphaned children. Tragically, the state of Gujarat was particularly 
vulnerable to a natural disaster such as this, as one quarter of its 
citizens live below the poverty line and almost one half of households 
rely on public food distribution under normal conditions. In an 
emergency such as this, the situation becomes exponentially more dire 
than before. In addition to the desperate need for food, medicine, and 
shelters, many Indian officials now fear epidemics of cholera and 
typhoid if access to clean, safe, drinking water is not quickly 
restored. This task has been made all the more difficult because it 
comes in the midst of a 3 year drought in India which affected almost 3 
million people in the state of Gujarat last year. The majority of water 
supply wells are caked with mud and temporarily out of service, 
promoting concerns that some who managed to survive the earthquake may 
instead succumb to disease while they wait for clean water. Certainly, 
the survivors of this earthquake should not be exposed to further 
suffering and injury.

  Mr. President, we cannot and should not ask the governments of El 
Salvador and India, or their people, to walk the path toward recovery 
alone. At a time when these countries seek peace and development, we 
must be there as both an ally and a partner. We must not turn away from 
their suffering, but rather must respond swiftly and effectively.
  In fact, international relief efforts are already in full operation 
in both El Salvador and India, providing basic necessities such as 
drinking water, food, blankets and temporary shelter to the quakes' 
victims. The United States government is actively participating in 
these international efforts through the work of USAID. At the time of 
the quake, USAID personnel in El Salvador immediately began meeting 
with Salvadoran relief agencies to evaluate the extent of the damage 
and the level of aid necessary. To date, USAID assistance to El 
Salvador totals more than $5 million, the majority of which was 
allocated for temporary shelter programs. In addition, the World Food 
Programme has provided 900 metric tons of rations, the International 
Federation of the Red Cross has released $100,000 of disaster relief 
funds as well as sent a delegation of relief workers to assist the 
1,200 person Salvadoran Red Cross. Medicines for hospitals and 
temporary clinics are pouring in from the Pan-American Health 
Organization, and the International Development Bank is considering a 
$20 million emergency loan. Monetary and other contributions from 
additional organizations continue to arrive as well.
  In India, USAID has pledged $9 million in emergency relief, including 
emergency food distribution, airlifts, and temporary shelter equipment. 
Indeed, more than 38 countries have responded to India's cries, as well 
as several hundred non-governmental organizations including UNICEF, The 
International Federation of the Red Cross, and the World Food 
Programme.
  It is my hope, Mr. President, that the Bush administration will 
recognize how desperately our help is still needed in El Salvador and 
India and will respond not only with continued short-term emergency 
relief aid, but also with a comprehensive plan for long term 
reconstruction and development. In the case of India that will require 
that waiver authority be exercised by the Administration to permit 
broader categories of assistance to be provided despite existing 
sanctions against that country. I would urge the Administration to do 
so.
  I am confident that our colleagues in the Senate join with me in 
extending our prayers and our hands to the people of two nations who 
must persevere at very difficult moments in their histories. I am 
confident that with our help the lives of the peoples of these two 
nations will improve day by day.

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