[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 38 (Wednesday, April 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  COMMENDING OUTSTANDING EFFORTS OF ARMED FORCES AND EMPLOYEES OF THE 
  STATE DEPARTMENT AND USAID IN RESPONSE TO EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI OF 
                           DECEMBER 26, 2004

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                               speech of

                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 5, 2005

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 
120, commending the outstanding efforts of our military and civilian 
personnel who responded to the humanitarian crisis engendered by the 
earthquake and tsunami of December 26, 2004. I commend my colleagues, 
Mr. Blumenauer and Mr. Leach, for submitting this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I traveled to Southeast Asia in January to help assess 
the damage caused by the tsunami. I saw firsthand the overwhelming 
scale of the human tragedy that killed over 250,000 people. Without the 
heroic efforts of the U.S. Armed Forces personnel and the civilian 
employees of the Department of State and the United States Agency for 
International Development, the death toll would have been far worse.
  These men and women worked tirelessly to help provide necessities, 
like drinking water, food, and medical supplies, to survivors of the 
tragedy. In addition, many worked to coordinate the relief efforts of 
donors, relief organizations, aid agencies, and governments. The 
civilian employees worked to identify and assist U.S. citizens who were 
affected by the tsunami.
  Because of the courageous efforts of these Americans, I have no doubt 
that many lives were saved. This selfless giving in a time of crisis 
was beyond the call of duty. Their efforts deserve great recognition 
and I am proud to support this resolution commending them.

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