[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 111 (Thursday, September 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1790-E1791]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT TO MEET IMMEDIATE NEEDS 
        ARISING FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF HURRICANE KATRINA, 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 2, 2005

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, our thoughts and prayers are with the people 
of New Orleans and all other Gulf Coast residents affected by this 
horrific disaster. As a nation we have watched with horror as the city 
of New Orleans has faced Hurricane Katrina and been overtaken by the 
waters of Lake Pontchartrain. We have seen the heart-wrenching stories 
that restore your faith, but sadly we have also seen the opposite.
  Lives have been interrupted. Families separated. And many now face an 
uncertain future of trying to locate family and friends as well as 
begin to rebuild their lives, many from scratch. With the victims 
dispersed across this nation, when this can begin is not known. The 
full impact of Hurricane Katrina--emotionally, physically and 
financially--will not be known for years and more realistically 
decades.
  It is during tragedies like this, that we must come together as 
Americans to help our fellow citizens in their time of need. Mr. 
Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to praise the hundreds 
of Americans who are working day and night to help rescue and bring 
relief to the thousands of people trapped in the affected area.
  From the start, the American people have again shown their unity of 
spirit and their willingness to aid those in the midst of this 
devastation. And these are not only professional rescue personnel but 
simply kind-hearted neighbors who may have a boat, or some extra water 
or blankets and are scouring the area looking for survivors. I cannot 
imagine the difficulties they are facing and the sacrifices they have 
made to help their fellow Americans. I thank them for all their efforts 
and pray that they remain safe themselves and return home to their 
families.
  I commend the generosity of the American people, including my home 
town of Sacramento, which because of its location at the confluence of 
the American and Sacramento Rivers has a unique understanding of being 
a flood-threatened city. I am proud of their generosity and extension 
of assistance--sending its firefighters, search and rescue teams and 
opening its doors to hundreds of victims of Hurricane Katrina who are 
unable to return to their homes. Their efforts to restore a sense of 
normalcy for those who have been so up-rooted are a testament to them.
  I also share the frustration of so many with the early response of 
our government to this crisis. While the conditions under which the 
relief workers are functioning are catastrophic

[[Page E1791]]

we can and must do better. Our primary focus must be on getting to 
those who are still stranded and need immediate assistance. Once that 
is accomplished I feel strongly that Congress must take a critical look 
at this response effort.
  This is a moment of national sorrow. Sorrow at not preventing the 
preventable and sorrow for the tragic circumstances that came to be. 
Yet it is also a moment of national unity that is truly heart-warming.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, I send my thoughts and prayers to all those 
affected by Hurricane Katrina and I thank all those brave and generous 
Americans who are working to bring assistance and relief to the region. 
The outpouring of generosity from Americans across the country can make 
us all proud.

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