[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 119 (Tuesday, September 28, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H7702-H7705]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMENDING RESILIENCY OF PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND WORK OF 
    INDIVIDUALS WHO ASSISTED WITH RECOVERY EFFORTS AFTER HURRICANES 
                       CHARLEY, FRANCES, AND IVAN

  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 784) commending the resiliency of the people of the 
State of Florida and the work of those individuals who have assisted 
with the recovery efforts after the devastation caused by Hurricanes 
Charley, Frances, and Ivan, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 784

       Whereas on August 13, 2004, Hurricane Charley reached 
     landfall and blasted the southwest region of the State of 
     Florida with 145 mile per hour winds and 10-foot storm 
     surges;
       Whereas on September 4, 2004, Hurricane Frances reached 
     landfall and battered the east coast and central region of 
     Florida with 105 mile per hour winds and up to 17 inches of 
     rain;
       Whereas on September 16, 2004, Hurricane Ivan reached 
     landfall and devastated the panhandle region of Florida with 
     130 mile per hour winds and estimated 16-foot storm surges;
       Whereas on September 26, 2004, Hurricane Jeanne reached 
     landfall and struck the east coast of Florida with 120 mile 
     per hour winds;
       Whereas in Florida, 27 people lost their lives due to 
     Hurricane Charley, 30 people lost their lives from the 
     devastation caused by Hurricane Frances, 21 people lost their 
     lives from the destruction of Hurricane Ivan, and 6 people 
     lost their lives as a result of Hurricane Jeanne;
       Whereas tens of thousands of homes and businesses were 
     damaged or destroyed by the four hurricanes;
       Whereas insured property losses from Hurricane Charley are 
     estimated at almost $7,000,000,000, losses from Hurricane 
     Frances are estimated at up to $4,000,000,000, and losses 
     from Hurricane Ivan are estimated at up to $10,000,000,000;
       Whereas more than 20,000 farms were in the path of 
     Hurricane Frances, resulting in more than $2,000,000,000 in 
     damage to the Florida agriculture community;
       Whereas the travel and tourism industry in Florida faces 
     billions of dollars in lost revenue;
       Whereas power outages caused by the hurricanes have 
     affected more than 6,000,000 people;
       Whereas Florida Governor Jeb Bush took immediate action by 
     declaring a major disaster for the entire State of Florida 
     and deploying necessary resources to deal with this crisis;
       Whereas the Florida Division of Emergency Management 
     officials did an outstanding job coordinating efforts among 
     Federal, State, and local entities;
       Whereas Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland 
     Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, responded 
     quickly to each of the disasters;
       Whereas the Federal Emergency Management Agency has more 
     than 2,700 agency workers helping with recovery efforts;
       Whereas State, local, and municipal elected officials in 
     Florida diligently voiced the concerns and needs of their 
     respective communities;
       Whereas State and local police officers, firefighters, and 
     first responders went above and beyond the call of duty in 
     responding to the four hurricanes;
       Whereas Florida Emergency Operations Center personnel 
     worked tirelessly to direct relief efforts;
       Whereas the National Guard was quick to mobilize more than 
     4,100 troops to help in the relief effort;
       Whereas doctors, nurses, and medical personnel worked 
     expeditiously to ensure that hospitals and medical centers 
     continued providing necessary care to their communities;
       Whereas the American Red Cross and other volunteer 
     organizations and charities are supplying hurricane victims 
     with food, water, and shelter;
       Whereas utility companies have worked around-the-clock 
     shifts to restore electric, phone, cable, and water service 
     to damaged areas;
       Whereas the Army Corps of Engineers has worked to reinforce 
     thousands of homes with roof damage;
       Whereas the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
     did an extraordinary job providing accurate forecasts of 
     these four devastating storms; and
       Whereas thousands of volunteers from across the country 
     have donated their time and resources to help with recovery 
     efforts: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives commends the 
     resiliency of the people of the State of Florida and the work 
     of those individuals who have assisted with the recovery 
     efforts after the devastation caused by Hurricanes Charley, 
     Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Mica) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica).


                             General Leave

  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the people of the great State of Florida, as we all have 
seen during the past days, have endured one of the deadliest and most 
overwhelming hurricane seasons in history. This past weekend, Hurricane 
Jeanne ravaged Florida's Atlantic coast and became the fourth storm to 
hammer my State in 6 weeks. For the fourth time, thousands of 
Floridians were forced into shelters to outlast another powerful 
hurricane. They lost power, they lost possessions, and they emerged to 
salvage a few belongings from their damaged homes.
  Those Floridians stood in lines waiting for meals, ice; and now they 
have begun the difficult task to repair their damaged or destroyed 
homes, to save and put together, find their belongings, all while 
tolerating Florida's most difficult heat.
  But worse than all these inconveniences the storms brought, 
unfortunately, many Floridians again learned that another storm had 
taken some of their family, some of their friends, and some of their 
neighbors. We extend our deepest sympathy to all those who lost their 
loved ones in these natural tragedies.
  The chronology of the Sunshine State's August and September goes like 
this, and it is an unbelievable scenario: first, Hurricane Charley 
pounded Florida's southwest coast with nearly 150-mile-an-hour winds on 
Friday, August 13. It caused approximately some $7 billion in damage.
  Then on September 4, Hurricane Frances punished practically the 
entire State as it moved in a very slow fashion across the entire 
peninsula during Labor Day weekend. Property damage from Frances is 
estimated to cost some $4 billion.

[[Page H7703]]

  Still reeling from the first two storms, Hurricane Ivan, nicknamed 
Ivan the Terrible, blasted Alabama and Florida's panhandle on Thursday, 
September 16.

                              {time}  1930

  Ivan left behind an astonishing $10 billion worth of damage and cost 
for residents to sustain.
  Finally, and almost unbelievably, we had one final natural disaster 
this past weekend. Hurricane Jeanne claimed 6 lives and devastated huge 
parts of central Florida on Sunday. I am sure many people watched it as 
it followed the track of a previous hurricane. In Daytona Beach, an 
area that I represent, the storm washed out sea walls, destroyed beach 
ramps and scattered tons of debris everywhere. Of course, hard hit were 
the areas in Martin County and Stuart. Jeanne will cost affected 
communities another estimated $10 billion, and it knocked out power to 
more than 2 million residents.
  Amazingly, all four of these storms rank in the top ten most 
expensive hurricanes in American history. But these statistics of 
losses, while devastating for many families, businesses, farms, the 
tourism industry, our Florida workforce and others, are ultimately just 
numbers. The real tragedy of these storms is that they have killed some 
79 people in Florida alone, not to mention the 1,500 estimated deaths 
in Haiti. Jeanne's fury killed six Floridians just this past weekend. 
These four storms constitute an absolute major tragedy, and our most 
sincere thoughts and our prayers remain with the individuals and 
families of those affected by the hurricanes.
  Mr. Speaker, the people of Florida have been through an exhausting 
month and a half. But amid the tragedy and loss, Floridians have 
responded with an absolute awe-inspiring support and resistance. Relief 
efforts have been massive. State officials have reported that relief 
workers and emergency responders have distributed more than 16 million 
meals, 9 million gallons of water and 60 million pounds of ice over the 
past 6 weeks. Everyone, and I do say everyone, from the Federal level, 
the State level and the local level, FEMA, the Florida Emergency 
Management Division, the National Guard, the American Red Cross, the 
Army Corps of Engineers and so many other government agencies, private 
groups and countless individuals have pitched in when residents needed 
help. Neighbors helped neighbors, hundreds of thousands of acts of 
kindness and help. The work continues as we speak. But this resolution 
tonight praises the help of all these selfless people.
  Mr. Speaker, it has been an exhausting end to the summer in Florida. 
Residents are tired and weary but are certainly not defeated. I commend 
tonight all Floridians in the wake of these four terrible hurricanes. I 
also want to take this opportunity to thank my good friend from Florida 
(Mr. Foley), whose district was hard hit, for offering House Resolution 
784 on behalf of all of the Florida delegation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my colleague from Florida (Mr. 
Mica) in consideration of H. Res. 784 which commends the resiliency of 
the people of Florida and the work of those individuals who have 
assisted with the recovery efforts after the devastation caused by 
Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan.
  As residents of Florida return to their homes to rebuild their lives 
and communities, they demonstrate the very resilient character of the 
American people. It is impossible to know why we Americans embody this 
characteristic. Perhaps it has been passed down to us from our 
ancestors who survived the most difficult of circumstances upon their 
arrival here. They were tested fiercely, and we as Americans find 
ourselves tested again and again. But rather than back down from these 
challenges, it seems that we are at our finest during times of 
difficulty and in times of crisis. Our spirit is resolute, our 
generosity is seemingly boundless, and our determination is unyielding.
  The devastation caused by Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan, not 
to mention Jeanne, have left many people in Florida to repair damaged 
homes or to rebuild their lives. Despite the frustration and sadness 
they feel, the residents of Florida have proven to us once again that 
they can prevail over tragedy and hardship by working together. Whether 
a family member lends shelter and food to another family member in need 
or a neighbor helps another salvage keepsakes from a destroyed home, or 
a person offers a bottle of water or the use of a phone to a stranger, 
the people of Florida are bravely doing what is necessary to help one 
another get through this tragedy.
  We Americans can be proud of the people of Florida, so I am pleased 
to join my colleague as we offer words of support, words of comfort and 
words to know that no matter how difficult the circumstances, Florida 
will continue to rise and rise and rise again.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley), the sponsor of House 
Resolution 784, commending the people of Florida.
  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Davis) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica). I never thought I 
would leave Florida today and find the remnants of Jeanne here in our 
Nation's capital, but so it be.
  One of my interns, Adrian Sferle, has basically done what I think is 
an outstanding map; it was not prepared by NOAA. It was prepared by a 
college intern, that tracks the four hurricanes that the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Mica) so eloquently described, the hardships they have 
created, the damage they have wrought and the injuries they have 
inflicted to a fragile Florida. The purpose today is not necessarily to 
recount the damage, the totals, the numbers, because they are all stark 
and they all bring weight to the human spirit because they have endured 
and caused great pain, great physical, emotional, exhausting pain. 
People in some parts of Florida, my friend Jeff Miller knows from 
Pensacola, Adam Putnam, virtually every member of the delegation has 
had these four storms hit parts or portions of their district. I had 
the distinction of having three: Charley, Jeanne, Frances, Jeanne and 
Frances entering almost at the exact same spot in Martin County, 
Florida; Charley hitting Punta Gorda; Ivan hitting Pensacola, then 
through Alabama. And, of course, those storms have wrought great 
tragedy. But the beautiful thing about a storm of this magnitude, if 
there can be a positive outcome, it is what the gentleman from Illinois 
(Mr. Davis) described, and that is the spirit of America coming forward 
to aid and assist their fellow man in time of need. The gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Mica) mentioned the organizations, American Red Cross, 
United Way, Salvation Army, among many who have stood up with 
leadership, compassion and capability to bring Florida back together 
again. Spending time in emergency operating centers of several 
counties, we have seen volunteers, professionals, firefighters, Corps 
of Engineers, you name it, police, sheriff, county administrators, 
county commissioners, soldiering on and dealing with the pre-hurricane 
preparedness and the after-hurricane response. Insurance agencies 
coming down quickly to solve the problems of those that have been 
injured. Corps of Engineers and their blue tarp program working 
expeditiously to secure the roof of those who have lost their roofs. 
FEMA. The tremendous response by Mike Brown, Under Secretary of 
Homeland Security, and his entire team. Over 4,000-plus people from 
FEMA are working in the State of Florida. The Governor of our great 
State, Jeb Bush, has spent the last 7 weeks tirelessly dealing with the 
needs of the citizens of Florida. The bipartisan spirit of our 
delegation has been superb. Our two Senators have worked so hard and 
have fashioned resolutions to deal with the aftermath of these storms. 
The President coming to Florida on three occasions and will again be in 
Florida tomorrow to deal with the after-effects of the disaster, 
ordering FEMA and other Federal agencies to prepare not only in advance 
of the storms but after to remedy the needs of Floridians.
  But we could not do it without the volunteers, the people who have 
assembled to hand out ice and water. Today,

[[Page H7704]]

I was in West Palm at the fair grounds. There were kids who were 
remanded to the drug court that were participating. There were several 
Miami Dolphin football players participating. There were people from 
all walks of life, doctors and nurses who were there on the scene, 
taking time out of their own lives when they had their own homes to 
rehabilitate, when they had their own homes and families to deal with. 
Nonetheless, they stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the blazing Florida sun 
to make certain no person was left behind without the basic, necessary 
essentials. These are the heroes that I come to the floor today to 
commend.
  We would have never expected four storms in Florida. Maybe we should, 
because Florida is in the tropics, and we are in a way where storms 
will make their progress and path toward our State. But we will bounce 
back. We will be better. We will be stronger. And we will be united. 
Storms know no partisanship. They certainly know no direction. They 
find their way, and they do their devastation. But humanity rises to 
the call and to the occasion. I am deeply gratified for everyone in the 
process who has worked so hard. I know we will bounce back in the 
travel and tourism industry. I know we will bounce back in some of the 
other things that we are going to deal with. There are many measures we 
are sponsoring on regional emergency energy reserves, on review of 
energy repair efforts after a disaster, on insurance disaster relief 
reserves using IRA accounts and so many other things. But I do not want 
to cloud this resolution with a lot of future endeavors but to thank 
those who took time out of their lives to share with their fellow 
Floridians the hard work and handiwork that they are bringing to bear 
to relieve the suffering of our constituents.
  I thank first the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) for giving 
me an opportunity to proceed out of order. I thank the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Mica) and his committee for giving us the chance to have 
this resolution heard.
  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).
  Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, 
once again, Floridians were tested. This is the year that I decided to 
buy waterfront property, so I, too, was there. I, too, learned the fear 
of the very harsh winds that came, the wonder if everything was secured 
properly, only to wake up yesterday morning to find water in my first 
floor once again. What happens is neighbors come together. They help 
each other, and Floridians are resilient. They will again be 
rebuilding, rebuilding better, safer structures. But because we love 
our State and we love, certainly, the Sunshine State, and I predict 
that, come January or February, when the snow is high up here, that 
even us Floridians will look back upon this as just a time of test.
  Whether it was Charley, Frances, Ivan or, this past weekend, Jeanne, 
we saw communities come together. We saw people helping each other. We 
might have lost our power. We might have lost some of our possessions 
and certainly our pride because we never could relate to what it meant 
to be homeless, but there are so many people who are now homeless as a 
result of this storm.

                              {time}  1945

  The simple things such as taking a nice warm shower, these amenities 
obviously were missing. The Red Cross as well as the Salvation Army 
moved in some shower units so that while people were waiting for the 
power to come back on, at least they could take a shower. They provided 
water, ice, food, and certainly comfort. Many of the churches also 
opened their doors to provide hot meals to people.
  Floridians will survive this storm this past weekend as we survived 
the ones in the past. Neighbors are helping neighbors. Certainly the 
sheriffs' offices are to be commended. We have heroes out there, 
everyday people in the communities who are stepping forward to help 
individuals whose property may have been damaged by these storms. We 
need to remember these very brave people, whether they are 
firefighters, whether they are the road deputies, or whether they are 
the neighbor next door who comes forth with a chain saw and is willing 
to help somebody who has had a tree fall on their property. Floridians 
are a hearty group and certainly we need to commend them.
  And I want to thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley) for 
introducing this resolution.
  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  To conclude, Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Foley), the author of this resolution, commending the people of Florida 
on their response, their attitude, their resilience in a time they have 
faced of unprecedented natural disasters.
  I again would close by saying that we owe a great deal of thanks to 
President Bush, who has responded first with a recommendation of $2 
billion. Most recently with $7.1 billion in Federal assistance that 
will supplement insurance and other assistance from the private sector 
to people who have been seriously affected, who have lost their homes, 
their possessions, their businesses in this horrible series of natural 
disasters.
  I want to thank Jeb Bush. Rarely has any Governor responded with such 
commanding presence to assist his people than the Governor of Florida, 
Jeb Bush. Of course we all want to thank Federal, State, local 
volunteers, workers, and people who came from other States to assist us 
in our time of need, and neighbors who helped neighbors.
  We have lost a lot of things in Florida, but one thing we did not 
lose was our sense of humor. And I must close with we have a local 
columnist in the Orlando Sentinel. I believe this was ten things that 
he pointed out that Floridians learned from the hurricanes and 
disasters, and I will point out two of them. Again, Floridians did not 
lose their sense of humor, but ten things we learned. Two of them: One, 
we learned that no matter how great the hurricane-force winds, the 
political signs did not blow away. Also, and again I think it was Mike 
Thomas of the Sentinel, one of the things we learned, it is one's God-
given right as a Floridian, when they have had a hurricane, to sit on 
their back porch by candlelight eating Chinese food in their underwear. 
And again one can only appreciate that if they are a Floridian and have 
had to go through a very traumatic time without power in a very hot 
time of the summer. So we have not lost our resilience. We have not 
lost our sense of humor.
  Finally, I will announce that Florida is open for business. Our 
tourist attractions are open and we welcome people. The best way people 
can help the people of Florida now is to, in fact, visit Florida, 
continue with their plans. While we have some areas that have been hard 
hit, a simple call will confirm that most of Florida, and particularly 
the tourist areas, are open for business. And people can help us, 
again, with economic recovery by not abandoning their plans to visit 
Florida.
  So with that, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support House Resolutions 
784 by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley).
  Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have left?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Kline). The gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Mica) has 30 seconds remaining.
  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Harris).
  (Ms. HARRIS asked and was given permission to revise and extend her 
remarks.)
  Ms. HARRIS. Mr. Speaker, during the last month and a half, the worst 
of circumstances has summoned the best of humanity. As I have visited 
emergency operation centers, Red Cross shelters, and temporary housing 
sites throughout Florida's 13th Congressional District, I have truly 
been amazed by the courage, determination, and compassion I have 
witnessed.
  Just last weekend the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney) joined me in 
visiting some of the worst-hit areas in my district, in DeSoto and 
Hardee Counties, just hours before Hurricane Jeanne became the third 
hurricane in 6 weeks to devastate this economically challenged region.
  And what was the attitude of those residents as a disaster of already 
historic proportions threatened to become even worse? Not bitterness or 
even despair, but unbelievable selflessness as they said that they were 
glad the hurricane approached, as they had lost everything, it would 
not be damaging anyone else in its wake.

[[Page H7705]]

  Storms like Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne can destroy the 
property of our State's valiant people. They can even test Florida's 
enormous reserve of physical and emotional energy, but they will not 
break our will or steal our heart.
  As we consider legislation to assist hurricane victims, may we act in 
the same spirit and with the same courage and determination.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 784, 
which commends the resiliency of the people of the State of Florida and 
the work of those individuals who have assisted with the recovery 
efforts after the devastation caused by Hurricanes Charley, Frances, 
and Ivan. As a Floridian and cosponsor of this resolution, I am proud 
to stand here today.
  Florida is the most hurricane-prone State in the Nation. This season 
alone we have witnessed destruction from Hurricanes Charley, Frances, 
Ivan and, most recently, Jeanne. Homes have been damaged and in some 
cases destroyed. Power outages continue to plague many throughout the 
State. The agricultural industry has taken a beating by the devastation 
caused to crops and livestock.
  And the hurricane season is far from over.
  Mr. Speaker, Floridians are tired and many are hurting as a result of 
these hurricanes. But they don't give up. They rally together to help 
those in need, volunteering their time and resources to help their 
neighbors. Even individuals who are faced with repairing their own 
homes and businesses take time to help those with greater need first. 
This is a testament to the good will and hopeful spirit that I have 
come to admire and expect in the people of our great State.
  I commend Floridians for persevering during this trying hurricane 
season, and I applaud all those who have assisted in recovery efforts. 
Governor Jeb Bush has done a great job leading, encouraging, and 
comforting the weather-weary citizens of our State, and he is one 
player among a cast of thousands that is worthy of our praise. Mr. 
Speaker, I wish to thank the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 
representatives who have spent much time and many resources assisting 
Floridians. I also commend our local and State law enforcement 
officials, emergency workers, and public safety personnel for keeping 
order, directing traffic and rescuing stranded individuals.
  There are too many people to thank to name them, but they know who 
they are. I encourage all Floridians to keep persevering and to keep 
helping one another. You are an inspiration to us all.
  Mr. Speaker, passage of H. Res. 784 would show the people of Florida 
that the House of Representatives recognizes and values the manner by 
which they have dealt with this busy hurricane season. I urge all of my 
colleagues to support this resolution to commend Floridians for their 
hard work and patience during this difficult time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 784, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was 
agreed to.
  The title of the resolution was amended so as to read: ``Commending 
the resiliency of the people of the State of Florida and the work of 
those individuals who have assisted with the recovery efforts after the 
devastation caused by Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________