[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 9, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    EXPRESSING SYMPATHY OF HOUSE FOR VICTIMS OF EARTH QUAKE IN IRAN

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 9, 2004

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House 
Resolution 526 expressing the sympathy of the House of Representatives 
for the victims of the devastating earthquake in Bam, Iran, on December 
26, 2003.
  I was horrified to see a whole city brought to a sudden stop in a few 
seconds of brutal seismic activity. Approximately 40,000 people died, 
or two-thirds of the 60,000 deaths worldwide from manmade and natural 
disasters in 2003; 30,000 people were injured, and up to 75,000 people 
were made homeless. But these statistics tell nothing of the personal 
impact of this tragedy on families and individuals. My heartfelt 
condolences go to them.
  The tragedy of so many lives lost, and so many others turned upside 
down by the earthquake, is worsened by Bam's historic, cultural and 
architectural significance. Bam flourished as a site of pilgrimage and 
as a commercial and trading center on the famous Silk Road, which 
brought the treasures of the ancient Far East into what was then 
Persia, and on to the Mediterranean. The earthquake destroyed 90 
percent of Bam. Now, it appears that much of this heritage may have 
been lost forever.
  In the midst of so much devastation, relief workers from all over the 
world--including the United States--undoubtedly brought a considerable 
measure of relief. Their effectiveness was remarkable and exemplary. I 
thank them for their courageous work.
  Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to express my deepest sympathy 
to the Iranian people for this terrible tragedy, and encourage this 
body to assist with the reconstruction of Bam and the anguish of its 
citizens. In addition, I call on people to continue to help raise money 
and send supplies to Bam, where the cost of reconstruction is estimated 
to be $1 billion.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this resolution and urge its passage.

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