[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 120 (Wednesday, September 29, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HURRICANE RELIEF GOOD DEEDS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CLIFF STEARNS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2004

  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, in the wake of recent catastrophic events 
in Florida of four consecutive hurricanes, it would be easy to dwell on 
the thousands of tragic stories that have impacted almost all 
Floridians. Not only was power lost throughout millions of homes 
statewide, houses were leveled or left in shambles, and lives have been 
lost. It is certain that these dark stories overshadow our thoughts, 
but it is important to let people know that there are indeed uplifting 
stories, and to let people hear about those as well.
  When it became apparent that Hurricane Charley would wreak havoc 
across the State, many companies sprang into action to help in their 
unique ways: Proctor & Gamble provided items such as Bounty paper 
towels, Mr. Clean, Always hygiene products, Pringles potato chips, and 
Iams pet food. Tyson delivered more than 110,000 pounds of pre-cooked 
chicken, and two trailer loads of ice that had been donated by Wal-
Mart. Pfizer, donated prescription drugs to compensate for closed 
pharmacies, and Bristol Myers Squibb donated 150 cases of infant 
formula, 50 cases of water, 500 cases of Excedrin, 5,000 pairs of 
socks, and seven different prescription medicines. General Mills 
donated over 20,000 cases of food including soup, cereal snack bars and 
vegetables. General Motors gave three Hummer H2s, equipped with OnStar 
Satellite communications. And this is just products: companies, 
including their employees personally, from Johnson & Johnson to Home 
Depot to Goldman Sachs have donated tens of thousands of dollars.
  Countless meals and snacks have been served for going on 6 weeks now, 
to hurricane-damaged counties in Florida, with thousands more available 
from Federal, local and private agencies. Emergency housing, clothing 
and other aid is also being provided. We have organizations set up for 
the purpose of collecting donations for the Florida Hurricane Relief 
Fund. One such organization consists of members of the Business 
Roundtable.
  After Hurricanes Charley and Frances steamrolled through Florida, 
Ivan followed in their paths. CIGNA Pharmacy Management announced soon 
after that its Florida members would be able to obtain refills on their 
prescriptions ahead of schedule. ``We know that one of the important 
steps our members need to take to prepare for a severe weather 
situation such as Hurricane Ivan is to be sure they have an adequate 
supply of any needed prescription drug on hand,'' said James Bryant, 
President of CIGNA Pharmacy Management. ``That's why we want to make it 
as easy as possible for members to get prescriptions filled in 
advance.'' CIGNA emphasized that members who are taking life-sustaining 
medications, or one that require regular administration, fill up on 
their prescriptions as soon as possible.
  And Floridians haven't just jumped in with tangible supplies and 
money, but with their own blood, sweat and tears. The Florida Hospital 
Association communicated efficiently and frequently on hospital 
updates. FHA also organized a rapidly deployable network of help from 
all hospitals throughout Florida to make sure that all areas have 
received invaluable medical and nursing manpower. it has not been 
uncommon that nurses, med techs, and doctors have sacrificially left 
their own damaged homes to go care for others.

  Finally, here is an excellent display of private-public collaboration 
and flexibility. Right before Hurricane Frances, the Florida Bankers 
Association, the U.S. Treasury, the U.S. Postal Service and the Social 
Security Administration sprang into action together. Social Security 
checks were scheduled to be either deposited into bank accounts 
electronically, or mailed out hard copy, on Friday, September 3, the 
day Frances was scheduled to touch down. Due to the imminent approach 
and anticipated disruption, the Treasury Department asked banks to make 
available a day early--September 2--electronic funds transfers (EFT) of 
the monthly checks that retirees and the disabled depend upon. And, the 
Post Office made every effort to deliver all checks, and where mail was 
undeliverable, set up areas for beneficiary pick up of checks. Talk 
about flexible and cooperative service, I even had one Post Office 
employee in my district go above and beyond and wait Thursday evening 
after closing for a worried family to pick up their check. Leland Adams 
of the Post Office in Bell made himself available for this family after 
hours, in case they decided to evacuate town before the P.O. would open 
in the morning of September 3rd.
  It is this spirit of cooperation, community-mindedness, corporate and 
public goodwill and personal fortitude that has gotten Floridians 
through the past 6 weeks. Mother Nature may slow Floridians down, but 
there's no stopping us. We will get through this.

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