[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 120 (Thursday, September 22, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1936]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PREPARATION FOR HURRICANE RITA

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                         HON. MICHAEL T. McCAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2005

  Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, last week, I visited the Katrina 
relief efforts in my district, and Vice President Cheney and I met with 
the Texas Emergency Management Agency. They did an outstanding job in 
the Katrina relief effort, but now we are faced with another 
hurricane--Hurricane Rita.
  As I speak to you now, Rita, a category 5 hurricane, is bearing down 
on the coast of Texas and is projected to hit near Galveston. Now more 
than ever, this kind of leadership is needed for our communities in 
Texas.
  Along with the mandatory evacuations in the Gulf Coastal region, 
there currently exists a voluntary evacuation in the Greater Houston 
area for flood plains, and neighborhoods near main bayous. Although 
these evacuation orders are voluntary, the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency strongly suggests that in the event of a hurricane all 
evacuation orders must be honored to prevent needless loss of life.
  If we work together, we can save lives. This is our duty as friends, 
as neighbors and as Americans.

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