[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 116 (Thursday, September 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1857-E1858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONTRIBUTIONS OF NORTH TEXANS TO HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 15, 2005

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize and commend the compassionate contributions of North Texans 
towards the hurricane relief efforts. During the past two weeks, 
televisions across the nation have brought into our living rooms images 
of the terrible destruction and suffering caused by Hurricane Katrina. 
Obviously our hearts ache at seeing our fellow Americans in desperate 
need, struggling at first just to survive, and now beginning to put 
their lives back together, one piece at a time. This desperation and 
despair, however, has not gone unanswered. Americans have come together 
in the past weeks, giving new meaning to the word ``community,'' and 
the North Texas community has been a leader in this endeavor.
  The City of Dallas and the surrounding areas have served as models of 
compassion, generosity, and leadership as North Texas has welcomed 
thousands who have been so tragically displaced by the hurricane into 
our neighborhoods and communities. So many sectors have given so 
selflessly of their time and resources to those in desperate need: city 
and county administrations, transit agencies, faith-based institutions, 
educational institutions, private and non-profit sector entities, and 
regular citizens have answered humanity's greatest call.
  The American Red Cross in North Texas has come to the aid of 
thousands of evacuees here in Dallas, providing much needed meals and 
beds. Volunteers at the Call Center of the Dallas Emergency Operations 
Center have fielded thousands of calls, helping to organize this 
massive relief effort. Transportation has been generously provided by 
Dallas Area Rapid Transit, who have distributed over 3500 transit 
passes to evacuees, and the Dallas Water Utilities Distribution 
Division has assisted by providing pallets and personnel at the Dallas 
Convention Center.
  The area's first responders have acted with bravery and selflessness. 
The Dallas Police Department has committed over 300 officers to support 
evacuee operations. The Texas State Guard has provided invaluable 
medical and shelter management services, deploying over 250 guardsmen 
to the Convention Center and Reunion Arena shelters alone. Fire Rescue 
and EMS personnel have lent their expertise to the relief effort at 
shelters throughout Dallas, and nearly two thousand patients have been 
served.
  The Surgeon General of the United States, Richard Carmona, has 
described medical operations in Dallas as ``nothing short of 
astounding,'' and Mr. Justo Hernandez, the coordinating officer on site 
with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has reported that, in his 
17 years of service with the agency, FEMA has never been as well 
received as it has in Dallas. Louisiana State Representative Derrick 
Shepherd described the effort as a ``first-class administration of a 
difficult administration'' and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin stated, 
``People are doing great work everywhere in Texas''.

[[Page E1858]]

  Clearly, world renowned Texas hospitality has lived up to its 
reputation. The spirit of the North Texas community is strong and kind, 
and I commend all North Texans who have contributed toward the 
restoration of hope for their fellow man.

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