[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 21, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   EXPRESSING SYMPATHY FOR VICTIMS OF DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKES IN EL 
                                SALVADOR

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. MIKE HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 20, 2001

  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, the massive earthquakes that have hit El 
Salvador, first on January 13 with a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter 
Scale, and then on February 13 with a magnitude of 6.6, have brought 
untold hardships to a nation that has been working diligently to 
overcome previous natural disasters.
  Hundreds of lives have been lost, thousands injured and a million 
more have been displaced, leaving them without food, water or shelter.
  As Americans, it is our duty to pull together to help our friends and 
allies during times of extreme crisis. I urge our government to 
expedite relief efforts, especially where entities such as the World 
Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the United States Agency 
for International Development are concerned.
  This disaster also affected me on a deeply personal level--I spent 
two years in the Peace Corps and the people I met and worked with 
during my time in El Salvador's rural villages welcomed me into their 
homes and into their hearts. My deepest sympathies go out to the people 
of El Salvador for the losses they have had to endure.
  I have spoken with President Francisco Flores of El Salvador and he 
has informed me that a massive relief effort is underway to provide 
shelter, food and water. Many families are still taking refuge in 
public areas and soccer stadiums. He also expressed fears that disease 
may run rampant due to open sewage pipes and contaminated water. I 
assured President Flores that I would do what I could, to bring 
attention to this crisis. I also told him about the efforts going on in 
my home district of San Jose to help coordinate relief efforts.
  Although the situation needs much attention, the most important thing 
to remember is that there is hope. I have seen, with my own eyes, the 
ability of El Salvadorans to persevere--and with the efforts of the 
good people in the United States, we must and will help the people of 
El Salvador pull through this trying time. Again, I strongly urge that 
we expedite our efforts to bring relief to the people of El Salvador.

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