[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 116 (Thursday, September 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1860]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

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                       HON. ERNEST J. ISTOOK, JR.

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 15, 2005

  Mr. ISTOOK. Mr. Speaker, my absence today from the House chamber is 
due to my traveling to New Orleans and Oklahoma City to assess the 
damage and relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. My return 
to Washington, DC is not possible until after conclusion of today's 
legislative business. As a member of the Committee on Appropriations 
and the vice chair of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security I am 
involved in the direct funding of our government's efforts in saving 
lives, stabilizing this devastated area, restoring order, mitigating 
still uncertain conditions, and beginning the rebuilding process that 
can assist in returning prosperity and making people whole. During my 
visit to New Orleans, I will witness firsthand the scope of the 
devastation, observe relief operations, and meet with some of the more 
than 2,100 members the Oklahoma Army National Guard serving in New 
Orleans. My trip concludes with my traveling to Oklahoma City to meet 
with hurricane evacuees and relief workers.
  Since Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the Gulf Coast August 31, 
Oklahomans have been at the forefront of relief efforts. Since August 
30, the Oklahoma National Guard has supplied four U860 Blackhawk 
helicopters, airlifted tens of thousands of pounds of food and water to 
New Orleans and supplied much-needed security and rescue efforts in the 
midst of looting and flooding that followed the hurricane's landfall. 
Oklahomans have also opened up their homes and businesses to help the 
relief effort, and have worked with the Red Cross in opening shelters 
for those evacuees throughout Oklahoma.

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