[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 2 (Thursday, January 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E39-E40]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES AND SUPPORT FOR ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF 
 EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS THAT OCCURRED ON DECEMBER 26, 2004, IN SOUTH 
                           AND SOUTHEAST ASIA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 4, 2005

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise with the heaviest of hearts. For the 
past week, our thoughts and prayers have been with the victims and 
survivors of the tsunami in the Indian Ocean. From Malaysia to East 
Africa, the death toll has climbed to a staggering 150,000, with tens 
of thousands still missing. At least 5 million people are displaced 
from their homes and many face the risk of diseases such as cholera, 
typhoid, hepatitis, E. coli, and salmonella in the very near term. It 
is a natural disaster of Biblical proportions.
  As such, the community of nations is coming together to assist the 
recovery efforts. Governments from around the world have already 
offered more than $2 billion in aid to countries hit by the disaster. 
Private citizens are also doing their part--since the tsunami struck, 
donations from Americans have poured in to relief organizations, with 
more to come. Just yesterday, President Bush announced that former 
Presidents Bush and Clinton would head an effort to encourage more 
American citizens and businesses to donate to nongovernment and 
international organizations working to provide immediate relief and to 
help with long-term reconstruction in the affected areas.
  Our participation tells the world that we understand the gravity of 
this situation--as Americans and as humanitarians alike. With 
destruction so complete--so terrifyingly final--in many of these areas, 
our leadership shows them that we understand, the nature of our role in 
this relief effort--and that our commitment will be long-term. Just as 
the nations of the world came to our side after the tragedy of 
September 11, so, too, is it our moral duty

[[Page E40]]

to help these nations in their time of desperate need.
  And so today, overwhelmed with emotion regarding the disaster, we 
extend our helping hand and express our deepest sympathies to the 
people of these nations, who have lost more than words can ever say. 
They are in our thoughts and prayers.

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