[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 111 (Thursday, September 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        ON PASSAGE OF H.R. 3673

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. TODD RUSSELL PLATTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 8, 2005

  Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the Government Reform 
Subcommittee on Management, Finance, and Accountability, I rise today 
to express my concern for the victims and to emphasize the importance 
of ensuring that every dollar allocated to this relief effort gets to 
its intended recipient. As we pass this important relief measure, let 
me assure all Americans that we stand ready, willing, and able to 
assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina. As we prepare to provide the 
appropriate and necessary assistance to ensure our citizens can rebuild 
their lives, we must administer these Disaster Assistance funds 
responsibly.
  Over the past two years, my Subcommittee has held three hearings on 
management at the Department of Homeland Security. While not always the 
most exciting topic, it is strong, sound management that will enable us 
to get through a crisis of this magnitude. Last year, in the aftermath 
of the Florida hurricanes, FEMA administered grants through the 
Individuals and Households Program. Just as we seek to do today, these 
grants were intended to provide emergency relief to those most 
impacted. Unfortunately, according to a report by the Department of 
Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (Audit of FEMA's 
Individuals and Households Program in Miami-Dade County, Florida, for 
Hurricane Frances, OIG-05-20), there were numerous documented instances 
of improper payments.
  The assistance that we are providing to the victims of Hurricane 
Katrina is too important to be misspent. The Federal government has a 
responsibility to ensure the proper and effective distribution of aid. 
Any dollar lost to fraud or mismanagement is a dollar that does not 
make it to someone who is in need.
  With the passage of the Stafford Act (Public Law 93-288) and its 
subsequent amendments, the Congress put in place specific requirements 
for the effective allocation of disaster funds. This statutory 
framework is designed to protect these resources from those who would 
seek to gain at the expense of the victims of disasters such as 
Hurricane Katrina. With sound management, appropriate controls and 
accountability, we will have the means to continue to provide resources 
to those who are truly in need of assistance.

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