[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 26, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H3526-H3533]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING AND INVALUABLE DISASTER RELIEF ASSISTANCE 
                 PROVIDED DURING TROPICAL STORM ALLISON

  Mr. COOKSEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 166) recognizing the outstanding and invaluable 
disaster relief assistance provided by individuals, organizations, 
businesses, and other entities to the people of Houston, Texas, and 
surrounding areas during the devastating flooding caused by tropical 
storm Allison.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 166

       Whereas during June 2001 tropical storm Allison brought 
     catastrophic flooding to Houston, Texas, and surrounding 
     areas;
       Whereas this disaster tragically and suddenly took the 
     lives of 21 people;
       Whereas this disaster injured countless other people, 
     uprooted families, and devastated businesses and 
     institutions;
       Whereas the State of Texas has been declared a Federal 
     disaster area, and individuals and families in 28 Texas 
     counties are eligible for Federal assistance;
       Whereas numerous individuals and entities have selflessly 
     and heroically given of themselves and their resources to aid 
     in the disaster relief efforts; and
       Whereas the catastrophic injury, death, and damage in 
     Houston, Texas, and surrounding areas caused by tropical 
     storm Allison would have been even worse in the absence of 
     local relief efforts: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes, for 
     outstanding and invaluable service during the devastating 
     flooding caused by tropical storm Allison in Houston, Texas, 
     and surrounding areas, the following:
       (1) the American Red Cross service centers located at 
     Sunnyside Multi-Service Center,

[[Page H3527]]

     Friendswood Activity Center, Lakewood Church, and Berean 
     Seventh Day Adventist Church, the American Red Cross shelters 
     located at Salvation Army Community Center, Arbor Lights 
     Men's Shelter, the B.L.O.C.K., Oak Village Middle School, 
     Kirby Middle School, and Sweet Home Missionary Church, and 
     the many other voluntary relief sites and shelters who 
     rendered outstanding and invaluable assistance to the victims 
     of the disaster;
       (2) the Houston Police Department, the Houston Fire 
     Department, and the Sheriff's Department of Harris County, 
     Texas, who displayed great bravery and dedication in 
     rendering assistance to the people of Houston, Texas during 
     the disaster;
       (3) Houston Mayor Lee Brown, particularly for his effort in 
     establishing the Adopt-a-Family program and for his 
     collaboration in the disaster relief efforts with Robert 
     Echols;
       (4) Texas Governor Rick Perry and all other State and local 
     officials, who provided invaluable support and assistance;
       (5) the Federal Emergency Management Agency, who quickly 
     deployed and responded to the disaster;
       (6) the United States Coast Guard;
       (7) the Texas Army National Guard, who quickly deployed and 
     responded to the disaster;
       (8) the employees of Texas Medical Center, Memorial Hermann 
     Hospital, and Houston Veteran's Hospital, who struggled 
     heroically to perform their jobs amid chaos;
       (9) all the volunteers, who are too numerous to name, but 
     who made heroic efforts and special sacrifices and played a 
     crucial role in the disaster relief efforts;
       (10) the private sector, including major corporations, 
     other businesses of all sizes, and their employees, who 
     rapidly and voluntarily donated money and other resources to 
     the disaster relief efforts;
       (11) the many media organizations who aided the relief 
     effort by keeping the community closely and extensively 
     informed, requesting volunteers, and providing information 
     regarding dangerous roads; and
       (12) all the individuals and organizations who immediately 
     and unselfishly helped the people of Houston, Texas, and 
     surrounding areas in their time of need, took quick and 
     decisive action for the public good, and demonstrated an 
     ability to work together for a brighter future.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Louisiana (Mr. Cooksey) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Cooksey).
  Mr. COOKSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would first like to note that House Resolution 166 was 
discharged from committee consideration and expeditiously brought to 
the floor for immediate consideration. This is not the normal process; 
but in the interest of time, the committee will occasionally discharge 
consideration.
  House Resolution 166 recognizes the dedication and tireless efforts 
of all of the individuals and organizations who assisted in relief 
efforts in Houston, Texas, during and in the aftermath of Tropical 
Storm Allison.
  Houston is no stranger to tropical storms named Allison. In June of 
1989, Tropical Storm Allison wreaked havoc on Texas and Northern 
Louisiana, dumping 15 inches of rain in the Houston area. Total damage 
from that storm was estimated at $500 million, and 11 people were 
killed.
  This year's Allison was more focused. Between June 5 and 10, Allison 
inundated the city of Houston with 35 inches of rain. The storm claimed 
23 lives and flooded major highways, hospitals, and homes.
  According to the American Red Cross, more than 35,000 homes in the 
city and surrounding county were damaged or destroyed. Many hospitals 
and laboratories were flooded, resulting in a blood supply emergency in 
the greater Houston area. Current estimates place the cost of total 
damage to the area in excess of $2 billion.
  Fortunately, countless individuals and organizations came to the 
assistance of Houston area residents in response to the devastation. At 
its peak, the Harris County 911 emergency system logged 400 to 500 
calls each hour. In response, the Houston Fire Department executed 
1,200 missions to rescue flood victims stranded in their homes and 
vehicles by high water. The Texas National Guard assisted in the 
response using 5-ton trucks to rescue people from their homes. National 
Guard and fire department efforts were supplemented by the U.S. Coast 
Guard's dispatch of rescue helicopters. Two hundred people were 
reported rescued on June 9 and 10. At the height of the storm, 15,000 
people were housed in 40 emergency shelters.
  Without the assistance of all those who came together to help Houston 
in its time of need, including FEMA, the American Red Cross, Houston's 
Mayor, and Texas Governor Rick Perry, the number of lives lost and 
damage to property from this dangerous storm would have been much 
greater.
  I support the bill and urge my colleagues to join in support of this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 4 minutes.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution; and I 
join the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee), the author, and all 
my colleagues in extending my sincere thanks and appreciation to all of 
the personnel throughout Southeast Texas who have devoted their lives 
to disaster recovery efforts.
  Having walked the streets of Friendswood, Texas, I saw the heartache 
and loss, both fiscal and emotional, and got a chance to see a lot of 
that devastation. The people of Friendswood are a strong and resilient 
people; but without the heroics of those individuals who devote their 
lives to disaster recovery, the casualties and destruction could have 
been much worse.
  This resolution recognizes the invaluable disaster relief of various 
agencies, organizations, businesses, and individuals who assisted the 
people of Houston and the surrounding areas during the devastating 
floods of Tropical Storm Allison. The resolution states that although 
21 people died, the casualties and destruction would have been even 
worse, if not for the disaster relief given by American Red Cross 
centers, the voluntary donation of money and resources from individuals 
and private businesses of Texas, the heroics of the United States Coast 
Guard, the Houston police and fire departments, and the valiant efforts 
of many other hospitals and shelters. The bill also lauds the recovery 
actions of Houston Mayor Lee Brown and Texas Governor Rick Perry.
  Looking back to Monday, June 4, when the reconnaissance aircraft 
first reported the development of Allison, I realized that the main 
impact of this storm would not be the wind, but would be the rain. Rain 
totals throughout Harris County and in other portions of my 
Congressional district exceeded 30 inches during the week-long period 
when the remains of Allison brought relentless flooding to the upper 
Texas Gulf Coast.
  Of course, no words can adequately describe the devastation that the 
Greater Houston area felt in the wake of the storm. The Texas coast 
certainly had not seen flooding of this magnitude in decades. Clearly, 
this event was more than a wake-up call, it was a stark reminder of the 
impressive forces that still govern the Earth.
  In the midst of the disaster and periods of chaos, there were 
countless individuals and organizations responded almost 
instantaneously to help the victims caught by the flood waters. The 
plight of one became the concern of many, and people displayed an 
enormous humanitarian spirit that transcended all barriers.
  The American Red Cross placed its disaster relief plans into action 
and opened numerous service centers throughout Harris County and the 
Ninth Congressional District of Texas. The police, fire, sheriff, and 
emergency response teams worked quickly and without reservation to 
minimize injuries and render invaluable assistance.
  The disaster tragically claimed the lives of now 23 individuals from 
practically every walk of life and every part of the city. Deaths would 
have been in the hundreds, were it not for the heroism, 
professionalism, and dedication of all those who responded.
  The media broadcast around the clock to keep the public constantly 
informed of the dangerous situation by disseminating critical 
information. Volunteers, many of whom were also suffering, responded to 
the calls for help from the various agencies, who were critical to the 
response efforts.
  Our friends at FEMA also did a phenomenal job in a task that was as 
sobering as it was frustrating. Thousands of people were affected and 
the recovery and damage assessments still continue.
  I toured the devastation firsthand by helicopter and on the ground. 
The

[[Page H3528]]

scenes were tragic: lost homes, lost businesses, lost medical research, 
and lost lives. Yet the human spirit continues throughout Texas, 
Louisiana, and across the Gulf Coast States and up the Eastern 
Seaboard, where Allison ravaged property and tore apart lives.
  So as I stand here today reflecting on the tragedy, I am forever 
grateful to all who assisted; and my prayers continue for the suffering 
and the afflicted. The strength that all have displayed is worthy of 
our recognition.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. COOKSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay).
  Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, we have seen time and time again that the best qualities 
within the people that we know often emerge when the weight of a tragic 
event presses down upon us. In Houston, we have learned this lesson all 
over again. The unending rains from the Tropical Storm Allison 
overwhelmed our bayous, overflowed our streams, and flooded our streets 
and buildings and homes; but they did not dampen the vigor of Houston.
  We Texans pride ourselves on maintaining the spirit of the West. It 
has passed down from the early generations, who fought the elements, to 
build a new life in Texas. They were tested, and those that stayed 
shared a very common quality. They had the resilience and 
resourcefulness to outlast Mother Nature and overcome the obstacles 
that she places in our path.
  Part of that creed is the understanding that when nature strikes, you 
pitch in to help your friends and neighbors. We understand that. We 
understand that when we rally together, no adversity, can keep us down 
for very long. Houstonians demonstrated that they have not forgotten 
their responsibility to aid each other during Allison.
  We feel deeply for all our neighbors who lost a loved one or a 
friend. This tragedy claimed far too many lives. Many others lost 
belongings and had their homes turned inside out by this storm. But we 
can be certain that far more people would have died if Houstonians had 
not responded as quickly and as vigorously as they did.
  Many, many people deserve to be thanked for their efforts. We are 
grateful to the Coast Guard and Red Cross, to the National Guard 
troops, and our local police officers and fire fighters. We say thank 
you. For every individual citizen who lifted a hand or waded out into 
the flood waters to bring comfort and assistance to the others, we say 
thank you so very much. Your efforts make us a great community and a 
great place to raise a family.
  All Houstonians also appreciate the swift response from the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency and the Bush administration. By reacting 
quickly, they are helping us get back on our feet.
  When I stopped by the Red Cross shelter in Pearland, I saw the best 
and most poignant tribute to the men and women who pitched in in 
responding to Allison. Hanging inside the shelter was a little small 
sign that was written in crayon by a child, and it simply said ``God 
bless you for helping us.''
  When the floodgates opened on Houston, we were ready to respond with 
charity, sacrifice, hard work and compassion. I hope we always stand 
ready to react with the same qualities.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Houston, Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee), the author of the bill.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
managing the bill, and I thank him for his support. I thank all of my 
colleagues for supporting H. Res. 166, and I rise to support the 
resolution that I introduced on June 14 to recognize the outstanding 
and invaluable disaster relief assistance that individuals and 
organizations and businesses and other entities provided to the people 
of Houston, Texas, and surrounding areas during the devastating flood 
that was caused by Tropical Storm Allison, one of the worse disasters 
that Houston has known.
  Some people would ask, what is going on in Houston, Texas? I would 
simply say, the greatest amount of charitable spirit, heroic efforts, 
friendship, love, and the ability of a community to stand up together 
and say yes we can. But for the heroic efforts of those invaluable 
volunteers, the catastrophic death, injury and damage would have been 
far worse.
  I commend my fellow colleagues in the House of Representatives, 
especially my fellow Members of the Texas delegation, for joining us in 
encouraging those altruistic acts of selflessness and heroism.
  I remember within the 24-hour time frame of being out walking in 
neighborhoods, flying overhead, looking at homes filled to capacity up 
to the roof with water, and yet hearing the tragedies of those who may 
have been stuck overnight, there were the encouraging words that people 
were saying, yes we can.
  Although words cannot even begin to describe adequately the 
destruction that Houston and surrounding areas know, I will attempt to 
paint for you a visual picture.
  More than three feet of rain that fell on the Houston area began June 
6 and caused approximately 23 deaths. Over 20,000 people have been left 
at least temporarily homeless during the flooding, many with no 
immediate hope of returning to their homes. More than 56,000 residents 
in 30 counties have registered for Federal disaster aid. Over 3,000 
homes have been destroyed, over 43,000 damaged. The damage estimates in 
Harris County, Texas, alone are about $4.8 billion.
  Some of the areas that have been hit, universities in my 
Congressional district, like the University of Houston, Texas Southern 
University, and a little neighborhood known as Kashmir Gardens. You 
would think a place filled with flowers. It is an enclave that has a 
high number of senior citizens, many of whom I visited in the last 
weekend, some still left in their homes, stranded, possessing few 
resources, but yet with a strong spirit.

                              {time}  1115

  I watched this past Sunday as the Red Cross team came that we called 
out to see a senior citizen who had a knee that needed to have surgery, 
who had not been attended to; and that Red Cross team came like an 
S.O.S. with an angel standing behind them to help that senior citizen.
  Other areas such as Sunnyside in southeast Houston, northwest Houston 
and around Scarborough High School. Additionally, of course, we all 
know a very important aspect of our community, the Texas Medical 
Center, has faced a very uphill battle. But I am very pleased that they 
are going to have the kind of support where all of the delegation 
members of this particular delegation will be supporting them and 
helping them with the millions and millions of dollars of damages, 
maybe in the billions of dollars of damage, to come back and be able to 
serve not only Texas, but to serve the Nation. Ten million gallons of 
water have inundated the medical center complex, and we are working to 
make sure that they get back on their feet.
  But let me share the many personal stories, the help that the Red 
Cross has given, the 46 disaster centers, the Houston Police 
Department, the Houston Fire Department, the sheriff's department 
displayed great bravery and dedication in rendering assistance. Mayor 
Lee Brown and the Adopt-a-Family program, Judge Robert Eckles, Texas 
Governor Rick Perry, all of us gathered together, huddled around the 
Houston TransCar Center, a center that was supposed to deal with 
traffic; but we determined that it could be an emergency center, and 
all of us gathered there to design strategy to help those who were 
stranded.
  I believe, Mr. Speaker, that this is an important resolution to be 
able to acknowledge, as the Houston Chronicle said, most of the 
countless acts of kindness and compassion, of heroism and self-
sacrifice that will go unsung and the heroes that will remain 
anonymous, even to those they helped.
  I believe it is important to mention some of those personal stories. 
Time will not allow me to talk about Cora Clay, a sandwich shop 
employee who fed an entire shelter from funds from her own pocket, or 
Kathleen Ross who donated two of her rental properties, or the heroic 
police officers who could not swim, but yet jumped in. C.R. Bean and 
Mike Lumpkin and Matt May who jumped in to save those who were in their 
car, floating. The Texas Children's Hospital, the Coast Guard and Texas 
National Guard.

[[Page H3529]]

  Let me just simply conclude by saying, it gives me a special 
privilege to be able to thank all of those people who gave of their 
time, who gave of their heart. We have spirit in Houston and the 
surrounding areas. We have spirit in Texas, and we will overcome.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res. 166, a resolution I 
introduced on June 14 to recognize the outstanding and invaluable 
disaster relief assistance that individuals, organizations, businesses 
and other entities provided to the people of Houston, Texas and 
surrounding areas during the devasting flooding caused by Tropical 
Storm Allison, one of the worst disasters Houston has known. But for 
the heroic efforts of those invaluable volunteers, the catastrophic 
death, injury and damage would have been far worse. I commend my fellow 
colleagues in the House of Representatives, and especially my fellow 
members of the Texas delegation, for joining me in encouraging these 
altruistic acts of selflessness and heroism.
  Although words cannot even begin to describe adequately the 
destruction that Houston and its surrounding areas know, I will attempt 
to paint for you some of havoc that the storm has wreaked. The more 
than three feet of rain that fell on the Houston area beginning June 6 
has caused at least 23 deaths in the Houston area and as many as fifty 
deaths in six states. Over 20,000 people have been left at least 
temporarily homeless during the flooding, many with no immediate hope 
of returning to their homes. More than 56,000 residents in thirty 
counties have registered for federal disaster assistance. Over 3000 
homes have been destroyed, over 43,000 damaged. The damage estimates in 
Harris County, Texas alone are $4.88 billion and may yet increase.
  Some of the most hard hit areas include the University of Houston, 
Texas Southern University, and the Kashmere Gardens neighborhood, a 
Houston enclave that has a high number of elderly citizens and 
possesses the fewest resources needed to bounce back from this once in 
a lifetime event. Other areas such as Sunnyside and South East 
Houston--northwest Houston around the Scarborough High School area were 
also hard hit.
  Additionally I note the damage which occurred at Texas Medical 
Center, because what has occurred affects us not just locally, or even 
just in Texas, but nationally. The Texas Medical Center, home to some 
forty medical institutions, is the largest medical center in the world. 
Globally, reknown medical care and research takes place here. The flood 
has decimated these preeminent health institutions.
  The cost to restore the Center is about $2 billion, which is nearly 
all of the total $2.04 billion in damage at Harris County's public 
facilities. It serves 4.8 million patients yearly with a local economic 
impact of $10 billion. More than 52,000 people work within its 
facilities, which encompass 21 million square feet. The damage includes 
$300 million to Texas Methodist Hospital and $433 million to Veteran's 
Hospital.
  The impact on the University of Texas Health Science Center at the 
Texas Medical Center is exemplary of how the clinical care, medical 
education, research and the physical structures at this medical 
community have been affected.
  Ten million gallons of water have inundated the medical school 
complex, and the earliest possible start up date for the hospital is 
mid July, including operation of one of the two Level One trauma 
centers in Houston. The ability of the center to serve the Houston 
community will be severely compromised for at least two months. In the 
entire Houston area, a total of 3,000 beds are out of service.

  The UT Health Science Center has incurred $52 million in physical 
damage to the facility and $53 million to the equipment. A total of 400 
emergency personnel have been required to assist in the clean up thus 
far. Moreover, preparation must still also be made for 825 medical 
students arriving in August, and the floor used for student service 
functions is estimated to be nine months away from re-opening. Until 
that point, teaching facilities and services must be dispersed across 
the city.
  Research has been substantially affected, destroying all animal based 
research due the death of all 4,000 animals. Some of these losses could 
take as long as three to four years to recoup, and some of the more 
senior graduate students may have lost their dissertation research, 
setting back their careers indefinitely. $105 million in sponsored 
research has been affected.
  Yet the storm has not defeated our spirit. The citizens of Houston 
are facing the tragedy with the spirit of love and have displayed the 
true meaning of the biblical phrase the ``peace in the midst of the 
storm.'' Untold numbers of individuals and organizations have risen to 
meet the overwhelming challenges that the storm has presented. Among 
those who have risen to this challenge is the American Red Cross, which 
at one time was running 46 disaster relief centers around the city to 
serve those in need, and who, along with the Salvation Army is serving 
thousands of meals per day. The Houston Police Department, the Houston 
Fire Department, and the Sheriff's Department of Harris County, Texas 
have displayed great bravery and dedication in rendering assistance to 
the people of Houston, Texas during the disaster. Houston Mayor Lee 
Brown, Judge Robert Eckles, Texas Governor Rick Perry and all other 
State and local officials have provided invaluable support and 
assistance.
  The Federal Emergency Management Agency is once again successfully 
fulfilling its mission, having quickly deployed and responded to the 
disaster, and the Small Business Administration has also been on the 
ground providing much needed disaster assistance to families and small 
businesses. The United States Coast Guard and the Texas Army National 
Guard have bravely and rapidly served during this disaster. Houston 
TransCar Center was an outstanding Storm emergency center where 
strategy to help the victims was designed.
  Many major corporations, other businesses of all sizes, and their 
employees have who rapidly and voluntarily donated money and other 
resources to the disaster relief efforts. Many media organizations have 
aided the relief effort by keeping the community closely and 
extensively informed, requesting volunteers, and providing information 
regarding dangerous roads.
  I wish I could recognize every single hero, but time does not permit 
that. So I will recount for you a few stories that represent the spirit 
that we have seen.
  There have been the ultimate sacrifices of people like Sharon Mateja 
of Warsaw, Missouri. Sharon was a Red Cross volunteer and member of the 
Board of Directors who was crushed by a van while helping another 
volunteer move bags of ice to a Red Cross van.
  This flood has pushed ordinary people to do extraordinary things. As 
reported in the Houston Chronicle, ``most of the countless acts of 
kindness and compassion, of heroism and self-sacrifice, will go unsung 
and the heroes will remain anonymous, even to those they helped. Those 
who are known insist there was nothing exceptional about their actions, 
that they happened to be in the right place at the right time to help 
someone in need.''
  Sgt. C.R. Bean is a Houston Police office who cannot swim. Yet he and 
Officers Mike Lumpkin and Matt May plunged into cold, rapidly rising 
water to attempt to save the lives of three young men whose vehicle had 
been swept off the road by the torrential waters. They spent at least 
an hour and a half and were able to save two. They were unable to save 
Chad Garren, but without the exceptional bravery of the officers, all 
three would have been lost. Shelters like Oak Village Elementary School 
and Kirby Middle School were invaluable in helping the displaced.

  There have also been the seemingly simple acts of women like Cora 
Clay, a sandwich shop employee, who fed an entire shelter from funds 
from her own pockets. Kathleen Ross, who donated two of her rental 
properties to house families whose houses were uninhabitable due to the 
floor. Or Richard Hill, who, without being asked to do so, led a 
friend's horse for three hours through brackish water to a safe 
pasture. The list goes on and on.
  And businesses in our community have not ignored our needs. The 
Houston Chronicle newspaper and television station KHOU has raised over 
$5 million in funds for the Red Cross relief work. Fiesta Market 
grocery store brought two trailers on eighteen wheelers to fed the 
shelters. Many other entities have given food, money and other 
resources quickly and without condition to our community in need.
  At two hospitals in the Texas Medical Center, the Memorial Hermann 
Hospital and Memorial Hermann Children's Hospital, located in the Texas 
Medical Center, the flooding caused the loss of all utilities. The hard 
working employees of the hospitals along with Life Flight, the Coast 
Guard and the Texas National Guard struggled heroically amid chaos to 
evacuate successfully and safety 540 patients to other hospitals via 
helicopters and ambulances, some to hospitals as far away as San 
Antonio and Austin.
  Several houses of worship have opened their doors and hearts to the 
community to give disaster relief assistance, including use of their 
buildings for FEMA disaster centers and Red Cross Service Centers. 
Father Enette of St. Peter Claver Church opened his doors, in the midst 
of his recovery from a stroke. Father Enette never complained about the 
sacrifice the church would incur due to the substantially increased use 
of electricity and water as a result of opening its doors. Paster Lewis 
opened the doors of the BLOCK Church for use as a full time FEMA center 
to provide relief for those located in the Sunnyside South Post Oak 
area. There is the kindness of Paster Kirby Caldwell from Windsor 
Village Church, who made a delivery of clothing and food to one of the 
shelters within our district. And there is the group known as the 
Baptist men,

[[Page H3530]]

who have prepared more than 62,000 meals. Minister Robert Muhammad and 
Makeba Muhammed from Mosque #45 in Houston, fed over 3,000 families. 
Lakewood Church opened its doors to over 2,000 people during the early 
morning hours after the flood.
  Each and every effort made to help the flood victims has been done so 
not for recognition and public glory, but because it is the right to 
do.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution attempts to recognize all the 
individuals and organizations who immediately and unselfishly helped 
the people of Houston, Texas, and surrounding areas in their time of 
need, took quick and decisive action for the public good, and 
demonstrated an ability to work together for a brighter future.
  As much as this disaster has torn apart our city and its surrounding 
areas, it has also bound us together, neighbors, friends and strangers 
alike. While we cannot personally thank everyone, may all of you know 
that your courage, hard work, sacrifice and kindness are recognized. 
And as we recover from this disaster, let those who have suffered know 
that their needs are heard, their patients gratefully acknowledged and 
hopefully prayers answered.
  Mr. COOKSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Houston, Texas (Mr. Brady).
  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from 
Louisiana (Mr. Cooksey), who has been such a good friend to Texas in 
all issues, including his help and response to Tropical Storm Allison. 
I also want to commend my Democratic colleagues, the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee), the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bentsen), the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green), and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Lampson), for their leadership in this effort as we jointly work 
together, and to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay) and the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Culberson), who together as a delegation have been 
working to try to recover and restore some sense of getting back on our 
feet in our region.
  This storm was more than just numbers. For many of us who have lived 
in the area a long time, we have seen a lot of natural disasters in our 
part of Texas, but Tropical Storm Allison was stunning. While it caught 
us a bit, it did not look like it was a tough, difficult storm to start 
with; but the damage was remarkable. It is more than numbers.
  When I look at the reports each day on the number of homes in my 
area, as I continue to ask for requests, and the numbers continue to go 
up and up. In 26 of my communities in North Harris County, in 
Montgomery County, in Waller and Washington County, we see now over 
3,000 homes that have been flooded and need help. That is not including 
all of the businesses, small businesses, all the road and 
infrastructure damage. I look at all of the help that has been given by 
FEMA, the Disaster Assistance Center at Greens Point and all around our 
region, those people are working tirelessly. All of the volunteers, the 
firefighters, the police, the United Way agencies. We have wonderful 
emergency assistance directors in our counties that have I think been 
awake since the storm hit us.
  For the families that are hurt so bad, this is so important, because 
being flooded out is a miserable experience. It is so disheartening and 
disruptive. And the only thing that keeps us going is the prospect of 
those who are stepping forward to help us through this time of need, 
our family, our friends, the community, even FEMA workers who I saw in 
the centers who had been flooded out themselves in other States, who 
felt the calling to help in the Houston region. It is because of all of 
those people that we are recovering today.
  Mr. Speaker, our region is very strong. We have strong individuals 
and strong communities; but the assistance that has been provided, both 
within and without, is irreplaceable. So to all of the volunteers, to 
all that are helping and continue to help, I wanted to add my ``thank 
you'' and sincere appreciation for all that you do and continue to do. 
We cannot thank you enough.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Houston, Texas (Mr. Bentsen), who suffered probably the largest amount 
of damage there.
  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
resolution, and I commend the gentlewoman from Houston, Texas, for 
offering it.
  The flood waters from Tropical Storm Allison may have receded, but 
the damage remains. As I tour the wreckage in my home district of 
Harris County, Texas, I am confronted with the many stories of tragedy 
and loss; but what shines through is the spirit of the people of Harris 
County, the sense of community that has neighbors reaching out to one 
another, unselfishly bestowing the ordinary blessings of compassion to 
less fortunate friends and neighbors. A citizenry summoned to the call 
of charity.
  As torrential rains fell on Harris County, power outages at the Texas 
Medical Center meant patients had to be evacuated. Nurses, technicians, 
doctors, and orderlies came to the rescue and physically carried more 
than 540 patients down dark, wet stairways to safety. A local Boy Scout 
troop guided the volunteers down corridors to awaiting helicopters. 
Police and firefighters worked double and triple shifts to ensure 
public safety, even going days without sleep. These men and women who, 
without concern for their own flooding homes, but the interest of 
others ahead of their own and are those whom we recognize today.
  In the trying times that have followed Allison, the true colors of 
the ordinary citizens and community leaders have shined. Banks and 
thrifts have generously offered to waive check-cashing fees and phone 
companies have donated cellular phones to disaster-relief shelters. 
More than 600 officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
have assisted nearly 60,000 victims and the Red Cross has aided 
thousands more. I applaud the businesses and residents and volunteers 
for their efforts and commitment to transforming our city into a 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, the devastation in Harris County is unimaginable. 
Billions of dollars in property have been lost. Years of critical 
research at the Texas Medical Center have been lost, hampering the 
international medical research grid; and tens of thousands of our 
fellow citizens have lost their personal property, including the woman 
I spoke to last week in the Hiram Clarke section of Houston, who lost 
her most prized possession, the last letter her great grandmother had 
written her. Having saved it from the first flooding on Tuesday, June 
5, she lost it when her home flooded the second time on June 9. But 
what is more tragic is that 23 fellow Texans lost their lives as a 
result of this storm.
  No Federal assistance or House resolution will ever make up the loss 
endured by those families, but we know with a little help from our 
friends from across the Nation we will be able to rebuild Houston; and 
with the spirit this the city has, we will endure again.
  Mr. COOKSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Houston, Texas (Mr. Culberson).
  Mr. CULBERSON. Mr. Speaker, the physical boundaries of the district I 
represent in west Houston, district seven, we were very, very blessed 
and fortunate to have escaped the flooding, in large part. We had a few 
very small isolated pockets of flooding, but the businesses of many of 
the people I represent were affected; and the entire city, of course, 
suffered a devastating blow as a result of the flood.
  I was extraordinarily impressed to have seen firsthand the work of 
the emergency rescue personnel who were staging their operation out of 
my district in west Houston, out of Tully. The weekend the flooding 
began, I spent time there at the headquarters where the search and 
rescue teams were coordinating their efforts, bringing in resources 
from all over the State of Texas. The Colorado River Authority 
contributed personnel and equipment; the San Antonio Fire Department 
contributed personnel and equipment. There were resources from every 
corner of the State there to help the people of Houston; and it was an 
extraordinarily impressive operation, to see the ability of these 
rescue personnel to come in right away, right after the flood, to 
rescue people from their homes to save them from life-threatening 
situations.
  It was also instructive for me to see as a new Member of Congress 
that there was, immediately after that initial period of rescuing 
people, a gap in services where the City of Houston, the

[[Page H3531]]

county was unable in many cases to actually get in to some of these 
neighborhoods that were so devastated to help people clean up their 
property, take care of the day-to-day essentials of living, which had 
all been brought to a screeching halt.
  What particularly impressed me is that in that gap, between the time 
the rescue services came in to pluck people off their roofs and get 
them to hospitals and the time when the city and the county were able 
to really come into those neighborhoods and help, that gap, which was 
largely unfilled by local government, was filled spontaneously and 
almost immediately by the churches of Houston, by the civic 
associations, by individual Houstonians stepping forward to help their 
own neighbors and family members.
  Therefore, I ask all of my volunteers, all of the people that were 
gracious enough to help me throughout the last year's election campaign 
and the people I know throughout west Houston, to contribute their 
volunteer time, their money and their efforts through their local 
churches and civic associations, but in particular through their 
churches, to help relieve the flood victims. I think there is no better 
example of what President Bush has been talking about; there is no 
better example of faith-based initiatives than what took place and is 
taking place today in the City of Houston, with churches like Second 
Baptist, like our very own memorial drive of the United Methodist 
Church, which is stepping forward with volunteers and assistance, to 
help people tear out carpet, to get their homes restructured, rebuilt, 
their lives restructured where they do not have insurance.
  That final phase of the recovery that is going on now, which will go 
on for months to come, is where the Federal Government can really step 
forward to help. That is why I am proud to be a cosponsor of this 
resolution. It is a very, very good example of the unity that is so 
necessary among the members of the Texas delegation, the Houston 
congressional delegation, and working together, not only through this 
resolution to say ``thank you'' to all of the rescue personnel, but, 
more importantly, for us all to work together to find ways to ensure 
that the people who have lost their homes to fill the gap between what 
private insurances covered and what is not covered; that the Federal 
Government is there to help pay for the reconstruction, the relocation 
of families, and to do whatever is necessary to provide every available 
Federal dollar to repair the damage done to homes, to the Texas Medical 
Center, to all that irreplaceable research that was damaged as a result 
of the flood. The Houston area congressional delegation, the 
congressional delegation from Texas is unified and focused in doing 
everything that we can to ensure that the damage is repaired as fast as 
humanly possible.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to reassure the people of Houston and the people 
of Texas that the money will be there to rebuild, to repair, and to, 
for the long term, plan for and prevent future floods of this type 
because of the unified and focused approach of the Houston and Texas 
congressional delegations.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Houston, Texas (Mr. Green), who toured the devastation with us.
  (Mr. GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, like my colleagues, I represent an 
area that tragically succumbed to Tropical Storm Allison in northeast 
Harris County. I want to thank my Texas colleagues for putting this 
resolution together, but mainly to the hundreds and even thousands of 
volunteers and workers who donated their time to help Houston residents 
clean up.
  At the top of the list would be the men and women of FEMA who 
literally were on the ground before the waters receded, assessing the 
damage and getting a head start on setting up the disaster recovery 
centers, three in our congressional district in the Jacinto City 
Community Building, Sheldon Intermediate School, and also in the Aldine 
School District, the M.O. Campbell Center.
  To date, FEMA has received 62,000 applications for assistance, and 
also their recovery centers have played a role and provided a great 
deal of effort visiting the Red Cross Centers in our district, the FEMA 
neighborhood centers, and walking the streets in north and east Harris 
County showed the huge loss, but also the response from seeing 
literally people helping each other, communities pitching in and 
banding together, seeing people in Jacinto City and Galina Park in 
Aldine and northeast Houston, working together to help overcome this 
loss; seeing the loss at North Forest Independent School District, 
Sheldon ISD and also Houston Independent School District.
  To date, we know that FEMA and the Small Business Administration made 
literally millions of dollars of loans and grants to assist Houstonians 
in replacing their belongings and temporary housing. I urge FEMA to 
keep these disaster centers open as long as necessary so that 
individuals can continue to have access to vital services on a personal 
basis.
  I would also like to thank the Coast Guard and our National Guard for 
their effort and the many employees of the City of Houston and Harris 
County for their efforts to rescue people and as they go through the 
cleanup effort now, Mr. Speaker. As Houston and southeast Texas and 
other areas affected continue the long process of rebuilding, I want to 
express my thanks to everyone and will continue to work to make sure 
that the Federal funds are there to help people in disasters.

                              {time}  1130

  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate people coming together to 
focus on the heroic efforts that have taken place in Houston in the 
aftermath of this terrible storm, but I hope we also focus on what we 
can do to prevent it in the future.
  We should as a Congress invest in Project Impact which helps prepare 
communities before disaster occurs, rather than to cut it, as has been 
suggested by the administration. We have need to reform the flood 
insurance program so it no longer subsidizes people to live in places 
where God repeatedly shows that He does not want them.
  It is important that we not ignore global climate change, because the 
scientists tell us if we are not careful, global climate change is 
going to make these horrible events that occurred in Houston far more 
frequent and far worse.
  Mr. Speaker, this is an opportunity for us in Congress not only to 
reflect on the heroism that took place and to mourn the loss, but for 
us to step forward to take our responsibility to make sure that we are 
doing everything possible so that it does not occur in the future.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Skelton).
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. 
Jackson-Lee), my colleague, and the other Members of the Texas 
delegation for introducing the resolution to recognize those who have 
helped the people of Texas during the recent flooding.
  It is so important to take time to express gratitude to those who 
have brought relief to the people of Houston during the flooding and 
its aftermath. I know that Missourians who have experienced flooding, 
particularly the devastating floods of 1993 and 1995, understand what 
an effort it takes to recover from such a disaster.
  Mr. Speaker, we must not take the contributions of volunteers for 
granted, for their selfless efforts often come at a great price. If I 
can bring to this body's attention one particular Red Cross volunteer 
who answered the call to help the victims of Tropical Storm Allison, 
Mrs. Sherry Mateja of Warsaw, Missouri, who was killed in a tragic 
accident last week while helping another volunteer move bags of ice 
from a tractor-trailer to a Red Cross van at a church in Humble, Texas.
  A Red Cross volunteer since 1999, Mateja was an active volunteer with 
the Pettis County Chapter of the American Red Cross in Sedalia, serving 
in a leadership role on the chapter's board of directors. She was 
instrumental in providing Red Cross services in her local community, 
including the chapter's disaster relief and learn to swim programs.

[[Page H3532]]

  Her assignment to help relief efforts for Tropical Storm Allison in 
Texas was her first national disaster assignment. Mrs. Mateja is 
survived by her husband, John Mateja; three sons, Marc, Nick, and Eric; 
two grandchildren; her brother, Charles Maggard; and her mother, 
Margaret Maggard.
  While recognizing the work of all the volunteers helping the Houston 
community, I ask my colleagues to join me today in paying special 
tribute to Sharon Mateja, expressing our gratitude for her 
contributions to her community and for her selfless efforts to help the 
people of Texas. I send my sincere condolences to her family and to her 
friends.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from East 
Texas (Mr. Turner).
  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I represent 19 counties in the Second 
Congressional District in Southeast Texas, all of those counties were 
declared a disaster area during the recent tragedy of the Tropical 
Storm Allison.
  I think we all come to the floor today with a deep sense of gratitude 
for the many who worked so tirelessly to help in that disaster.
  I want to mention three organizations that I know were among the 
private sector organizations that helped the victims of Tropical Storm 
Allison, that is the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, and Texas 
Baptist Men. Those three private organizations, in addition to 
literally scores of others, helped so rapidly and so efficiently and 
effectively along with our many State and Federal agencies during that 
time of crisis.
  While the greatest damage was in Harris County, there was significant 
damage in all of the 19 counties that I represent. There has been over 
63,000 contacts made to FEMA just in the last few weeks, so we all 
express our gratitude at this moment to the many who helped during that 
time of crisis.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the 
gentlewoman from Houston, Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee), the author of the 
bill.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Lampson) for yielding the time to me and for managing the 
bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I also thank the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure. I also thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Cooksey) 
for managing the bill. The gentleman has a daughter in my congressional 
district.
  I also want to thank the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), chairman 
of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, as well as the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the ranking member of the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for their accomodation 
in moving this legislation to the floor of the House so quickly.
  Let me also thank the House leadership and say, Mr. Speaker, that 
many times in giving comfort in a religious setting, we will say, this, 
too, will pass.
  I am very grateful to have authored this legislation to not pass over 
those whose family members were lost, or to pass over those who 
sacrificed in helping others.
  Mr. Speaker, I again want to mention Sergeant C.R. Bean, a Houston 
police officer, who, as I indicated earlier, could not swim, and along 
with officers Mike Lumpkin and Matt May, plunged into cold rapidly 
rising water to attempt to save three lives. The likes of those 
individuals who came forward are an expression of the kind of spirit we 
have in Houston, Texas.
  As indicated, many of us were out within 24 hours of the flood, 
joining the Coast Guard and joining FEMA Director Joe Allbaugh, in 
surveying the area. I want you to know that the religious community 
stood tall.
  It is very important to note the Sunnyside Multi-Service Center, the 
Friendswood Activity Center, Lakewood Church, the Berean Seventh Day 
Adventist Church, the American Red Cross Centers, the Salvation Army, 
the Men's Shelter, the B.L.O.C.K., the Oak Village Middle School, Kirby 
Middle School, Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church and Lakewood Church 
that opens it doors to 2,000 people right after the flood.
  This was the kind of sacrifice, Mr. Speaker, that was made, Robert 
Muhammad and Makeba Muhammad from Mosque 45 in Houston who fed over 
3,000 families.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the fact that we lost even a 
Red Cross worker; and the name is Sharon Mateja of Warsaw, Missouri. 
Sharon was a Red Cross volunteer and a member of the board of directors 
who was crushed by a van when helping another volunteer move bags of 
ice to a Red Cross van.
  Mr. Speaker, we would like to say that this will not happen again, 
but we are working diligently with the FEMA resources in restoring them 
back into the budget and being assured, as I was on the floor of the 
House, as the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young), Chairman of the 
Committee on Appropriations, that we would not let Houston and the 
surrounding areas not have the dollars it needs to be restored.
  We will be fighting for those dollars; and to those who are seeking 
to be rebuilt and to be recovered, we will continue to work with you.
  We will also work prospectively to ensure that we put in place the 
kind of structures that help us not have such incidents occur or 
prevent such incidents from occurring again.
  Today, what we are doing, Mr. Speaker, is simply thanking all of 
those who are still standing and rising to the occasion. We are here to 
thank the volunteers, the churches, the local officials, because the 
day still continues where they are recovering and seeking to recover.
  It will be a long journey, but when someone asks what is going on in 
Houston, Texas, and the surrounding areas, I am saying great activities 
are going on, great people are working with others and we are doing the 
job to get the job done.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 166, 
recognizing the outstanding and invaluable disaster relief assistance 
provided by individuals, organizations, and businesses, to the people 
of Houston, Texas, and surrounding areas during the flooding caused by 
Tropical Storm Allison.
  During the month of June, Tropical Storm Allison brought devastating 
floods and damage from debris to Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and many 
other states. After the President declared the storm that hit Texas a 
major disaster, 28 counties became eligible for disaster assistance. 
Tragically, Tropical Storm Allison is responsible for 21 deaths, 
countless injuries, and major damage to homes and businesses. Yet, 
through it all, many individuals and groups selflessly gave of 
themselves and their resources to help in the disaster efforts. From 
the Red Cross and Salvation Army, to local churches, to the Harris 
County Police and Fire Department, to the Texas Medical Center, to the 
United States Coast Guard, to the dedicated elected officials, to name 
just a few; they all made special efforts and sacrifices and today, we 
honor them for their service and dedication to their fellow citizens.
  The pending resolution calls our attention to our recent failure to 
ensure that we will be able to aid victims of Allison and future 
disasters. Just last week, while the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency (FEMA) was working diligently to help the victims of Tropical 
Storm Allison, the House passed H.R. 2216, the FY2001 Supplemental 
Appropriations Act, containing a provision, which many of us strongly 
opposed, to rescind $389 million in disaster relief funds from FEMA.
  Currently, FEMA is assessing the impact of Tropical Storm Allison on 
Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, and it expects to request additional 
funds to address these pressing needs. More than 25,000 flood insurance 
claims are expected from that region of the country, and FEMA is 
projecting the flood insurance claims for Tropical Storm Allison in 
Texas and Louisiana alone will exceed $350 million.
  The proposed rescission could preclude FEMA's ability to pay these 
claims and it might limit assistance to future victims of disasters and 
necessitate another supplemental spending bill. The rescission 
eliminates much of the funding needed by the agency to provide quick 
and effective assistance to disaster-stricken communities and victims. 
The most recent disasters highlight the fact that these funds could be 
needed by FEMA to pay for natural disasters occurring in FY2001. They 
should not be rescinded.
  Moreover, with the increases in climate change brought on by global 
warming, we should begin to expect more natural disasters. According to 
recent data, in 1999, the United States experienced the warmest 
January-March period since we began keeping these records 106 years 
ago. Climate change and these recent warming patterns are costly to the 
Nation. These temperature changes can lead to more extreme weather 
events, including droughts, floods, and hurricanes.
  Over the past decade we have seen a marked increase in natural 
disasters and this trend is expected to continue. FEMA data show that 
more frequent and severe weather

[[Page H3533]]

calamities and other natural phenomena during the past decade required 
460 major disasters declarations, nearly double the 237 declarations 
from the previous ten-year period, and more than any other decade on 
record. The increased number and severity of natural disasters has huge 
economic impacts on the United States. Comparing the three-year periods 
of 1989 through 1991, and 1997 through 1999, the federal cost of severe 
weather disasters rose a dramatic 337 percent in less than ten years. 
Of the $35 billion that FEMA has spent in the last 20 years for 
disaster relief, $28 billion, or 80 percent, has occurred in the last 
seven years alone (1993-2000). In addition, the insurance industry has 
paid more than $63 billion in insured losses in these seven years.
  Fortunately, the Senate Appropriations Committee has reported its 
Supplemental Appropriations bill and it does not contain the $389 
million rescission from FEMA's contingency fund. I am hopeful that the 
conference report on this bill will not accept the House provision on 
FEMA's rescission. We are all aware of the critical and fundamental 
support that FEMA provides for the victims of natural disasters. It is 
essential that we do not hinder FEMA's mission by allowing unwarranted 
rescissions or cuts to FEMA's budget.
  Again, I commend the numerous individuals, government agencies, and 
groups of people in Texas who heroically gave of themselves and 
assisted their fellow citizens through a major disaster. They serve as 
an inspiration to us all and I pledge to work together with FEMA and 
other agencies on behalf of these victims to help them rebuild their 
lives and renew their spirits.
  I urge all Members to support H. Res. 166.
  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 166, which 
honors the men and women, community organizations and businesses, and 
the government entities that provided relief and assistance to the 
people of Texas in the wake of tropical storm Allison.
  It is truly times like these, when Mother Nature strikes suddenly and 
strongly, that communities must come together to help people whose 
homes and businesses are damaged or destroyed and who might have 
suffered loss of life within their families. It is a true testament to 
the spirit of community to see neighbor selflessly helping neighbor in 
these circumstances, and I commend the men and women who lent of their 
time, energy, money, resources, and friendship to make the flooding in 
Houston and its suburbs less painful for their neighbors.
  While the damage was not nearly so severe, I would be remiss if I did 
not mention the community spirit of Floridians who helped to reduce the 
pain and suffering that tropical storm Allison brought to the people of 
Florida. For instance, local fire and rescue workers attempted to save 
swimmers who regrettably drowned off of Florida Panhandle beaches in 
the storm-tossed waters of the Gulf. They also worked to save men and 
women caught off guard by the flooding in Tallahassee and elsewhere in 
North Florida. Also, electric company and utility employees worked to 
keep power, water, and information flowing into people's homes and 
businesses as North Florida was pelted with heavy rain, 40-55 mile-per-
hour winds, and 15-foot waves.
  It is in their honor, as well, that I ask my colleagues to support 
this resolution.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H. Res. 166 
and applaud Ms. Jackson-Lee for introducing this resolution. H. Res. 
166 commends the many volunteers, public safety officials, agencies, 
and businesses that rose to the challenge of tropical storm Allison. 
The storm took 22 lives and caused at least $4.8 billion in property 
damage.
  Living in San Francisco, in an area that is prone to natural 
disasters, I appreciate the commitment and heroism shown by so many 
people in the wake of a major natural disaster. Thanks to many brave 
and generous individuals, Houston and the communities around it pulled 
through the storm and are on the road to recovery.
  I came back this morning from Houston, where I had the great pleasure 
of meeting my 6th grandchild, who was born on Sunday. While the damage 
in the area is clearly visible, so are the signs of healing. For my own 
family and all the people who call Houston home, I was pleased to see 
the recovery already underway. I urge my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  Mr. COOKSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shimkus). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Cooksey) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 166.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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