[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 77 (Friday, June 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1045-E1046]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         INTRODUCING THE SMALL DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2004

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 3, 2004

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Small Disaster Assistance Act of 2004. This legislation is critically 
needed. All too often, communities are denied federal assistance from 
natural disasters because the number of people affected by the disaster 
do not meet an arbitrary threshold which fails to consider human needs.
  An unofficial threshold exists under current Federal Emergency 
Management Agency regulations that require a minimum of 100 homes to be 
destroyed or receive major damage during a natural disaster for a major 
disaster declaration to be warranted by the president. Some may argue 
that, on the surface, this is a fair regulation. But in practice, it is 
not. In practice, thousands of Americans are forced to pick up the 
pieces following a natural disaster with no help from their government.
  Every year, thousands of Americans have their homes damaged or 
destroyed by natural disasters. Yet, the Federal government fails them 
when it denies a state's request for federal emergency assistance 
regardless of the number affected.
  Just last August, hundreds of my constituents in Riviera Beach and 
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida were left in the dark and heat--literally--
when three tornadoes touched down in Palm Beach County. I, along with 
Florida's two Senators and Palm Beach County's Congressional 
delegation, worked with Florida's governor and urged the President to 
issue a major disaster declaration.
  The economic impact of the storms, combined with continued rain, was 
estimated to be between $70 million and $80 million. To make matters 
worse, many of those affected by the storm were unable to depend on 
insurance for relief and assistance in recovering from the storm. 
According to the joint assessment that was done at the time by FEMA, 
the State of Florida, and Palm Beach County, 81 percent of the 
homeowners affected were uninsured. For the uninsured, federal 
assistance was virtually the only way for them to recover.
  The effect of the storm was drastically compounded when the 
historical economic and social hardships of the communities most 
affected were included in the assessment. Although it is difficult to 
place a dollar amount

[[Page E1046]]

on this reality, such consideration was certainly appropriate in this 
instance.

  Nevertheless, our request was denied. In his letter to Florida's 
Governor, Undersecretary for Preparedness and Response Michael Brown's 
denial noted that the extent of the damage in Palm Beach County was 
``not of the severity and magnitude'' to warrant a disaster 
declaration. This was a response that I found to be quite troubling.
  There is no difference between a home that is destroyed during a 
disaster when less than 100 homes are affected and a home that is 
destroyed during a disaster when 1,000 homes are affected. To a family 
who loses its home because it happens to be located in the wrong place 
at the wrong time, their life comes to a screeching halt by no fault of 
their own.
  The Small Disaster Assistance Act amends the major disaster 
assistance title of the Stafford Act to provide assistance for 
disasters where 100 or fewer homes receive major damage to or are 
destroyed during a natural disaster. My bill requires the President to 
give special consideration to areas that are historically and 
economically disadvantaged, have a median family income below the 
national, state, or local average, high unemployment, a iarge 
population of uninsured homeowners or renters, and a large elderly 
population.
  The bill places a limitation of relief at $1 million for disasters 
where less than 50 homes qualify for assistance, and $2 million for 
disasters where between 51 and 100 homes qualify for assistance. These 
numbers were generated from the national averages of disasters where 
100 or less homes qualify for assistance.
  This level of authorization will cover the clear majority of small 
disasters. In instances where more assistance is needed, the bill gives 
the President the authority to exceed the limitation if (A) continued 
disaster assistance is needed, (B) there is a continuing risk to public 
safety, or (C) necessary assistance will not otherwise be provided on a 
timely basis.
  When mechanisms do not exist in our public policy to help those in 
need, then it's time for us to change our laws. Failing to provide the 
President with the ability to authorize assistance to smaller disasters 
is just plain irresponsible. My legislation provides such authority. I 
ask that it be brought swiftly to the floor for consideration, and I 
urge my colleagues to support my efforts.

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