[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 111 (Thursday, September 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1799-E1800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SECOND EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR HURRICANE KATRINA 
                                RESPONSE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 8, 2005

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, my thoughts and prayers go out 
to the people of the Gulf Coast and their loved ones who have been so 
profoundly affected by Hurricane Katrina. My deepest gratitude goes out 
to all those engaged in relief efforts.
  Our nation is grieving. The images and stories broadcast from flooded 
streets and makeshift shelters will be forever engraved in our minds 
and hearts. Hurricane Katrina has collectively wounded us. But, out of 
this anguish, an intense commitment has emerged--to stand alongside the 
brave survivors during this time of recovery.
  While Katrina' s historic rampage of the Gulf Coast can be measured 
in hours, recovery will likely be recorded in terms of years and 
billions of dollars. Last week, Congress provided a ``down payment'' of 
$10.5 billion. We are here today to approve a $51.8 billion disaster 
relief package to aid further recovery efforts. All support--given 
recent events--carry grave concerns about how money will flow to those 
suffering from this natural and man-made disaster.
  Like many, I am alarmed over apparent delays, and lack of 
communication and coordination. But, these frustrations cannot distract 
us from the work ahead of us. Our priorities are clear: Focus on 
Katrina's survivors, first.
  Many of the survivors have lost loved ones, are homeless, and face 
the terrifying prospect of starting their lives over. Nevertheless, 
they have demonstrated a remarkable resiliency in a desire to move 
forward and need support to do so.
  Families have been separated, and must be reunited.
  The injured and sick need care and treatment, including a wide array 
of mental health services.
  My office has been in direct contact with local disaster response 
officials to ensure that San Diego's available resources are aiding 
those suffering in Louisiana and Mississippi.
  Members of San Diego's Urban Search-and-Rescue Taskforce have left 
for the Gulf Coast to provide assistance, as well as a variety of first 
responders and military personnel.
  After we have seen to the needs of those hurt by Katrina, let's look 
at the broader picture. There must be a thorough and independent review 
of the response effort in the coming days. We need to answer the 
serious questions and concerns Hurricane Katrina raised about emergency 
planning. Namely, we need to address the care and evacuation for the 
vulnerable in our communities when emergencies arise.
  On a personal note--based on my volunteer experience with the Red 
Cross after Katrina's landfall--we need to develop an efficient

[[Page E1800]]

method of tracking missing family members and reuniting them with their 
loved ones. I spoke to people who were desperate to learn the 
whereabouts of their loved ones. The pain in their voices was evident 
and made worse by the scarcity of available information. A number of 
websites, registries and other electronic bulletins have sprung up in 
response. CNN and other cable channels have taken on this challenge. 
Children are going before the cameras seeking relatives. What is the 
federal responsibility to ensure a comprehensive emergency database for 
such catastrophes?
  We need to reevaluate existing emergency management practices and 
policies. What are the skill sets needed to assure those in charge are 
able to properly and aggressively manage a widespread emergency? How 
much can we realistically rely on the military? Can and should those 
capabilities be developed to a greater extent in the civilian 
population? Do we overextend and over depend on local responders who--
by virtue of being personally affected by a cataclysmic event--are 
unable to provide their talents when needed?
  We can, we must, and we will do everything possible to make sure our 
lack of preparedness and slow response to this catastrophic on-going 
tragedy never happens again.

                          ____________________