[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 43 (Wednesday, April 13, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H1943]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     FLOODING OF THE DELAWARE RIVER

  (Mr. DENT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to this body's attention 
the terrible natural disaster that has recently occurred in my district 
in Pennsylvania. On April 2, heavy rains triggered substantial flooding 
of the Delaware River. The river overflowed in various local 
municipalities. Hardest hit were the small borough of Portland in 
Northampton county and the city of Easton, also in Northampton County.
  I was back in my district at the time of the flooding. I toured the 
water-damaged areas extensively, visited with local residents, and was 
horrified by the destruction and heartbreak that this disaster has 
induced. Keep in mind all this occurred less than 1 year suffered from 
the devastating effects of Hurricane Ivan.
  On April 9, in response to what I had seen, I wrote a letter to the 
President, asking him to declare the 15th district a Federal disaster 
area. The Governor of Pennsylvania also requested this relief, and I 
supported him in that request. I also keep in regular contact with our 
State and Federal Emergency Management officials in order to coordinate 
relief efforts.
  I urge my colleagues to keep the citizens devastated by this natural 
disaster in their prayers.

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