[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 137 (Wednesday, October 1, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            HURRICANE ISABEL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 1, 2003

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, last month, our region was subjected to 
nature's unbridled wrath. And, despite the advances in technology that 
gave us fair warning that a storm of this magnitude was approaching, 
there was little anyone could do to escape the destruction Isabel left 
in her wake. The five counties I represent all suffered enormous 
damage, families were displaced and without power for days, homes and 
businesses were demolished, and our natural resources were destroyed by 
the strength of the winds and rain that accompanied this vicious 
hurricane.
  Our region responded quickly and directed the full force of its 
resources to assist residents and business owners with their recovery 
efforts. I am extremely grateful to our first responders, local and 
state officials, and disaster assistance teams from the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Maryland Emergency Management 
Agency (MEMA), the Army Corps of Engineers, law enforcement officials 
and community volunteers who I saw throughout our communities when I 
visited parts of St. Mary's, Anne Arundel, and Calvert counties in the 
week following the storm.
  On Thursday, September 25 I joined Senators Sarbanes and Mikulski, as 
well as my colleagues in the Maryland Congressional Delegation, to hear 
from representatives from several federal and State of Maryland 
agencies on relief efforts underway to help the citizens of Maryland 
and small businesses throughout the State. We were informed that the 
counties were completing their Preliminary Damage Assessments which 
would be submitted to MEMA and FEMA so that funds could be designated 
to assist with the clean-up and recovery.
  Thus far, Maryland has qualified for federal assistance with debris 
removal and emergency protective services. If the damage in other areas 
meets the threshold for disasters, Maryland could become eligible for 
more categories of federal assistance, including repair of roads and 
bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities 
and parks.
  Recovering from this storm will be a long process, and we all will 
face challenges along the way. I will continue to work with elected 
officials and residents throughout the 5th District of Maryland to 
provide any resources I can to help in this recovery process.

                          ____________________