[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 108 (Friday, September 2, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H7641-H7642]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN SUPPORT OF EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE VICTIMS OF HURRICANE 
                                KATRINA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this emergency 
appropriation.
  This is a moment of crisis for America. This is a test of our 
character as a great nation.
  As we gather here in relative comfort, Americans are dying in 
Louisiana. At this moment, Americans are facing danger and desperation 
in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi.
  We all have seen the horrific pictures. We have heard the desperate 
screams for help. We all have heard the accounts of the almost 
unimaginable devastation that has gripped America's Gulf Coast.
  Now is the time for Americans to immediately respond. Now is the time 
for us, as a people, to take action with a force equal to that of 
Hurricane Katrina.
  We face an enormous challenge; yet, this is not the time to become 
overwhelmed. It is, however, a time that cries out for a heightened 
sense of urgency.
  Now is the time for immediate and effective action, as a nation and 
individually.
  The Federal Government is responding--and we are moving to pick up 
the pace.
  Today, the Congress will approve a $10 billion emergency aid package 
to help fund relief efforts.
  The members of the Congressional Black Caucus have pledged to do all 
that we can to help. Several of our members will be visiting the Gulf 
Coast in the next few weeks to provide support. However, we cannot stop 
here.
  The Bush administration and the Congress must demonstrate that we 
share the sense of urgency felt by those on the front lines of this 
battle for survival on the Gulf Coast. We must dedicate the full 
resources of the Federal Government to stabilize, repair, and rebuild 
this important region of our country.
  There is no time to waste, for people are dying. The destruction 
caused by the aftermath of this storm gets worse every hour.
  Hundreds of thousands of Americans felt lucky just to be alive after 
surviving the storm. Now, they are in a continuing struggle for their 
survival. Men, women and children (our countrymen) have now gone days 
without food--and far too long without the clean water and medical 
attention that they need. They are surrounded by flood waters littered 
with dead bodies.
  It is the frail, sick, weak, and elderly that are dying, all while 
the Nation is about to celebrate a long holiday weekend.
  Many of those now in such dire circumstances were already living in 
poverty and destitution even before Hurricane Katrina. They had no 
ability to evacuate. And, now, their very survival depends upon the 
response of their country.
  Many of these Americans who now are struggling to survive are 
Americans of color. Their cries for assistance confront America with a 
test of our moral compass as a Nation. We cannot allow it to be said by 
history that the difference between those who lived and those who died 
in the great storm and flood of 2005 was nothing more than poverty, age 
or skin color. It would be unconscionable to stand by and do nothing.
  I had a constructive conversation yesterday with Mr. Claude Allen, 
the President's top assistant for domestic policy. I am confident that 
the Federal Government is expanding and intensifying its response as I 
speak.
  Yet, government cannot succeed in this challenge without help. We 
must challenge leaders in the private sector to formulate strategies as 
to how they can best contribute.
  We have long heard claims of ``compassionate conservatism'' among our 
Nation's leaders. This is the time for those with wealth and resources 
to step up to the plate and demonstrate that compassion.
  This is the time to save human lives. People are dying because they 
have no water. Companies that bottle water now have the power to save 
lives. Infants are dying because there is no baby formula to keep them 
alive. Companies that make this formula must be on the front lines. 
Food companies could work. with the National Guard to coordinate the 
distribution of food to the victims. Private contractors that have 
helicopters and boats and buses at their disposal could put those tools 
to work in the service of their country.
  It has been reported that oil producers and home improvement stores 
may actually benefit in the long run from Hurricane Katrina. These are 
industries that should be the first to offer support.
  Ladies and gentlemen, I am not saying that nothing is being done at 
this time, although we all expected the Federal response would have 
been more immediate.
  Nevertheless, generosity of spirit is being demonstrated by countless 
individuals in this country who have given an outpouring of support.
  Now, however, is the time for those who can make a major impact with 
just one phone call to do so. And if these private companies already 
have something planned, it is important that they coordinate their 
efforts to provide their help most effectively.
  This crisis demands a heightened--and sustained--sense of urgency.
  The public has asked what they can do. They can begin by donating to 
the various charities that have pledged to help in the relief effort. 
They can also follow our lead today by demanding that the mayors and 
governors across this great Nation provide essential services to those 
now seeking shelter and aid.
  In Matthew 25, verses 34 through 40, the Lord gives a simple 
explanation of what is demanded of true Christians:

       Then the King will say to those on his right, ``Come, you 
     who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the 
     kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
       For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was 
     thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger 
     and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I 
     was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you 
     came to visit me.''
       Then the righteous will answer him, ``Lord, when did we see 
     you hungry and feed

[[Page H7642]]

     you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we 
     see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and 
     clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to 
     visit you?''
       The King will reply, ``I tell you the truth, whatever you 
     did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did 
     for me.''

  Mr. President, the least of our brothers have lost the little they 
had. They are hungry, they are suffering, and they are vulnerable now 
to the worst expressions of human desperation. You have recognized that 
our response to date has fallen short of our duties.
  And I fear that God, also, would not be pleased. We are called on to 
do all that is necessary to care for our brothers at this time. And we 
pledge to work with you to extend our Nation's hand and all of our 
Nation's resources to those in dire need.
  When history looks back upon how our Nation pulled through this 
difficult time, let it reveal a record worthy of a great Nation.

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