[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1721]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   GRENADA--THEY STILL NEED OUR HELP

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 29, 2005

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to draw attention to the ongoing 
struggles of our neighbors on the Caribbean island-nation of Grenada. 
Hurricane Emily recently struck the island causing significant 
structural damage to homes, as well as public and private buildings--
including two main hospitals. There was widespread flooding across the 
country, and many crops were destroyed. Damage from this storm alone is 
estimated at $110 million.
  This most recent disaster is especially saddening when we consider 
what Grenada has gone through over the last year. In September of 2004, 
Hurricane Ivan devastated Grenada, causing nearly 50 deaths and 
displacing thousands more. A staggering 90 percent of the country's 
buildings were destroyed by the hurricane, and the nutmeg crop, which 
accounts for the overwhelming bulk of the country's export earnings, 
was almost completely destroyed. Nutmeg is a very slow-growing crop 
which makes its destruction that much more tragic.
  The damage to Grenada from Hurricane Ivan was easily in the billions 
of dollars--several times more than the country's Gross Domestic 
Product. A July 26th article in the publication CaribNews entitled 
``Grenada Needs All the Help It Can Get'', argues that the U.S. and the 
international community must do more to help Grenada. Indeed, Grenada 
has suffered serious economic repercussions following the destruction 
caused by Ivan.
  Before Ivan, the economy of Grenada was projected to grow by 4.7 
percent, but the island's economy instead contracted by nearly 3 
percent in 2004. The economy was also projected to grow by at least 5 
percent through 2007, but, as of 2005, that estimate had been lowered 
to less than 1 percent. The government of Grenada also has incurred an 
extremely high level of debt. While it is taking steps on its own to 
remedy the problem it will need help from the U.S. and organizations 
like the International Monetary Fund, IMF.
  More than $150 million in disaster and reconstruction aid was sent to 
Grenada in 2004, including nearly $50 million from the United States, 
but the country is still in a very fragile state. The IMF reported that 
the economic situation could get much worse, due to deficiencies in 
donor financing and tax revenues, and the risk of increasing global oil 
prices.
  With all that said, the U.S. must do all it can to help Grenada. The 
President was able to get Congress to pass the controversial CAFTA bill 
this week by arguing, among other things, that it would help the 
countries of Central America to develop. I hope that the President and 
this Congress will not forget our friends in the Caribbean, as they 
also need our assistance and attention. The plight of Grenada proves 
this, and calls out for our collective action.

                  [From the CaribNews, July 26, 2005]

                 Grenada Needs All the Help It Can Get

       For the second time in less than a year Grenada, often 
     called the ``Spice Island'' of the Caribbean and a ``gem'' in 
     the region was hit hard by a devastating. hurricane.
       Thank God it wasn't as bad as last year's tragedy.
       Although the damage wasn't nearly as severe as last year's 
     havoc left in the wake of Hurricane Ivan, the pain and 
     troubles inflicted on the people, the government, business, 
     church and other institutions are much more than any single 
     country should be asked to bear.
       That's why we join in the appeal by Dr. Keith Mitchell, 
     Grenada's Prime Minister for all the assistance, which the 
     United States, the Caribbean, the broad international 
     community, and the Caribbean Diaspora can offer.
       When ``Ivan the terrible'' struck in 2004, it caused more 
     than $2 bi1lion in damage, destroying about 90 percent of the 
     homes, businesses and other structures, setting back the 
     country for several years. After achieving significant gains 
     in its quest to improve the quality of its people's lives in 
     the 1980s and 1990s, Ivan struck with vengeance and halted 
     that progress. Now Emily has added to the woes.
       Dr. Mitchell met U.S. President George Bush over breakfast 
     at the White House yesterday morning and laid out a strong 
     case for more American assistance. He also appealed to the 
     President to use his influence with the international 
     community, especially the World Bank, the International 
     Monetary Fund, the Inter-American development Bank and United 
     Nations development agencies to get them to provide even more 
     help to Grenada.
       President Bush should act decisively on Dr. Mitchell's 
     request. Grenadians abroad should also heed his advice and 
     unite behind the national efforts at reconstruction and 
     development.
       They should resist any attempts to resort to partisan 
     politics or even to stay on the sidelines in these times of 
     need.
       Last year, Grenadians reacted with determination and 
     generosity and they should do so again.

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