[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 131 (Tuesday, September 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1860]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

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                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 2003

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, September 23, 2003, I was 
detained in Baltimore while assisting my constituents in dealing with 
the devastating damages from Hurricane Isabel.
  While estimates on the economic damages are not yet available, we do 
know that the hurricane damaged or destroyed 3,300 homes on the eastern 
shore of the Chesapeake Bay displacing thousands of Marylanders. It 
caused over 1.34 million Marylanders to lose power. All of Baltimore 
County's 70 marinas were destroyed, devastating a $225 million dollars 
a year industry. Thousands of businesses, including ISG's Bethlehem 
Steel plant, are flooded ruining their daily operations.
  Today, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, Governor 
Robert Ehrlich, and I toured an area of Baltimore County that 
experienced extensive damage. After viewing the damage and I encouraged 
Secretary Ridge to expedite efforts to assist Maryland's Second 
Congressional district. It is important that the Federal, State and 
local governments work together.
  Hurricane Isabel devastated Maryland's Second Congressional District 
and I was there assisting my constituents in their discussions with the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Department of Housing and 
Urban Development, and the Small Business Administration to help re-
establish their homes and businesses.

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