[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 117 (Monday, September 19, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S10189]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ENZI (for himself and Mr. Kennedy):
  S. 1718. A bill to provide special rules for disaster relief 
employment under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 for individuals 
displaced by Hurricane Katrina; read the first time.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, it's a privilege to join my colleague 
Senator Enzi in introducing a bill to bring much needed employment 
relief to the many working men and women who suddenly lost their 
livelihood because of Hurricane Katrina. The bill authorizes the 
Secretary to use National Emergency Grant funds to create short term 
jobs as the region begins to rebuild.
  In distributing these funds, the first priority will be the States 
who have suffered the greatest loss. A group of us visited the Gulf 
Coast area last Friday and saw firsthand the immensity of the 
devastation. We know these proud hard-working men and women are anxious 
to become self-sufficient again as soon as possible. The Nation has 
opened its heart to the victims of this vast tragedy, and we need to 
focus now on making sure that their towns, cities and parishes are 
ready for their return. In order to rebuild, we need to make sure that 
there are jobs for them and schools for their children. Last week, we 
took a first step in helping reopen the schools and we also need to 
take a similar step to see that there are jobs when they return.
  The most heavily affected States--Alabama, Louisiana and 
Mississippi--are doing all they can to begin rebuilding the local 
economy, so only Governors and local elected officials will control 
these employment funds. Our intention is to help rebuild the local 
economy and give benefits to local workers through local businesses.
  I commend Chairman Enzi for his leadership on this bill, and I urge 
my colleagues to support it.
      By Mr. CORNYN:
  S. 1720. A bill to provide enhanced penalties for crimes committed 
using funds appropriated for remediation of any injury or damage caused 
by Hurricane Katrina; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, our hearts go out to those who have been 
affected by the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina. By now, those 
who have been displaced by this disaster know that help is available to 
them. And true to the American spirit, assistance has poured in from 
people all across this great land. We have seen the Government, at 
every level, fail in some way to respond adequately to this emergency. 
Congressional hearings will examine these failures and the reasons for 
them to make sure that we are better prepared to respond in the future.
  But there is no need for a review of the adequacy, efficiency, or 
responsiveness of everyday citizens who heeded distress calls from 
their fellow citizens. When the history of this disaster is finally 
written, it will document the fact that the American people rose to the 
challenge. Because that is what Americans do--every time, without 
exception.
  Over the past several weeks we have seen ordinary Americans, on their 
own initiative, coordinate the donation of goods needed by evacuees, 
rent U-Haul trucks, and drive to New Orleans to deliver supplies. 
Others have initiated fundraisers and have donated substantial funds to 
aid the Red Cross and other charities that are on the ground. And still 
others, like those in my home State of Texas, have literally opened 
their doors to complete strangers to provide them with food, shelter, 
and other necessities, so that they can get back on their feet and 
begin to rebuild their lives.
  Here in the Congress we have acted quickly, passing emergency relief 
appropriations of more than $60 billion dollars to get money into the 
devastated areas so people can be helped and areas can be rebuilt. The 
President has further proposed sending an unprecedented amount of money 
and incentives to aid in the rebuilding. I plan to support reasonable 
efforts designed to aid in accomplishing these goals. However, as we 
pour extraordinary amounts of money into the affected areas, we must 
guard against those callous people who may see this as an opportunity 
to wrongfully enrich themselves through fraud.
  We all know that the Federal Government's track record at detecting 
and avoiding fraud is poor, at best. As we begin to funnel what some 
have said may be close to $200 billion dollars into the disaster areas, 
we must be vigilant to ensure that these funds go where they 
legitimately are supposed to go. And we must send the message here and 
now that the actions of those who may defraud the Government or 
otherwise illegally obtain a portion of these funds will not be 
tolerated.
  That is why I have introduced the Katrina Waste, Fraud and Abuse 
Deterrence Act of 2005. This legislation states that anyone convicted 
of any crime involving funds appropriated for disaster relief in the 
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina face a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 
years--and up to 20 years--in prison.
  As I have said, a staggering amount of money will be, and currently 
is being sent to this area. The funds will speed the rebuilding of 
these areas and otherwise help those who are in need of assistance. But 
the American people will not tolerate misappropriation of these funds. 
President Bush has ordered that a team of inspectors general review all 
expenditures to ensure that the rebuilding work is done honestly and 
wisely. I applaud the President for his stewardship of this money. The 
bill I introduce today will put some teeth into this oversight. It will 
say to those who may contemplate illegally cutting corners or outright 
stealing disaster funds whether by fraud, theft, or embezzlement, that 
they will be caught, prosecuted, and imprisoned.
  To those who legitimately need these funds: Your country is here to 
help you. To those who are inclined to take advantage of the misfortune 
of others by wrongfully taking these funds: You will be prosecuted.
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