[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 132 (Tuesday, October 18, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H8864-H8868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




MOURNING LOSS OF LIFE CAUSED BY EARTHQUAKE THAT OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 8, 
                      2005, IN PAKISTAN AND INDIA

  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 492) mourning the loss of life caused by the 
earthquake that occurred on October 8, 2005, in Pakistan and India, 
expressing the condolences of the American people to the families of 
the victims, and urging assistance to those affected.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 492

       Whereas on October 8, 2005, a powerful earthquake measuring 
     7.6 on the Richter Scale occurred in Pakistan and India, 
     centered on the city of Muzaffarabad;
       Whereas the earthquake caused severe damage in both 
     Pakistan and India;
       Whereas the earthquake and continuing aftershocks have 
     caused more than 50,000 deaths, resulted in serious injuries 
     to additional tens of thousands of people, and left between 
     2.5 and 3 million homeless as winter in the affected 
     mountainous region approaches;
       Whereas millions of people throughout the affected region 
     currently lack clean water, food, proper sanitation, basic 
     healthcare, adequate shelter, and other necessities, thereby 
     increasing the risk of additional suffering and death; and
       Whereas the United States and donors from at least 30 other 
     countries have, to date, pledged several hundred million 
     dollars in emergency and long-term reconstruction assistance, 
     and have begun to deliver humanitarian supplies to survivors 
     of the earthquake: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) mourns the tragic loss of life and horrendous suffering 
     caused by the earthquake that occurred on October 8, 2005, in 
     Pakistan and India;

[[Page H8865]]

       (2) expresses the deepest condolences of the American 
     people to the families, communities, and governments of the 
     tens of thousands of individuals who lost their lives in this 
     earthquake;
       (3) welcomes and commends the prompt international 
     humanitarian response to the earthquake by the governments of 
     many countries, the United Nations and other international 
     organizations, and nongovernmental organizations;
       (4) expresses gratitude and respect for the courageous and 
     committed work of all individuals providing aid, relief and 
     assistance, including United States civilian and military 
     personnel, who are working to save lives and provide relief 
     in the devastated areas; and
       (5) supports the actions to assist the victims taken by the 
     President and the Government of the United States to provide 
     all appropriate assistance to the governments and people of 
     the affected region.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde).


                             General Leave

  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H. Res. 492, the resolution under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the tragic earthquake in Kashmir reminds us of the 
uncertain course of nature and the parlous state of humanity as we 
confront a dangerous and uncertain world.
  We are also reminded that globalization, our ability to be instantly 
affected by events on the other side of the globe, allows us to express 
our humanity in ways unknown to previous generations. We can respond 
almost instantly, because we learn almost instantly, about the plight 
of poor victims in faraway lands.
  The areas affected by the earthquake of October 8 are about as far as 
one can get from our shores. Yet Americans, like others from around the 
world, were able to share the tragedy of the Pakistani and Indian 
peoples almost as it unfolded and could then react to it, generously, 
as is our history, including by dispatching considerable material 
assistance. We can be proud of the role our government and our private 
sector have played in making that response possible.
  Winter is coming to the affected areas, and there is a great need for 
shelter for the millions of homeless persons. India and Pakistan are 
significant countries, and not without considerable resources to devote 
to their own problems. However, an examination of the level of 
devastation from the recent earthquake and a consideration of the 
degree to which even our Nation's ability to respond to the hurricane's 
emergencies was strained, means that we need to be mindful of the 
ongoing and immediate needs of millions of South Asians. Shelter is in 
especially short supply.
  This resolution properly expresses our sense of mourning for the 
losses suffered, our sympathy to their survivors, commends those who 
have stepped forward with help, and encourages additional assistance. 
It is a privilege to bring this before the House today.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I rise in strong support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express the condolences of the United 
States Congress and the American people to the people of Pakistan and 
the people of India who have suffered so grievously from the horrendous 
earthquake that struck South Asia just 10 days ago.
  Mr. Speaker, the day after the earthquake, I received a telephone 
call from the President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf. The President 
requested, in the strongest terms possible, assistance not only from 
our Nation but from other donors around the globe. I immediately 
reached out to our own government and to other friendly governments and 
to nongovernmental organizations, and I am profoundly grateful that 
additional aid is flowing to the people of Pakistan as we speak.
  Each day, the news from Pakistan grows worse. The death toll now 
seems certain to rise above 55,000. More than 2 million people are 
homeless in the midst of recent torrential rainstorms, and the freezing 
cold of winter is fast approaching the mountainous regions most 
affected.
  Landslides and poor weather have hampered relief operations, 
heightening the misery of the injured and the destitute as they wait 
for help. Relief supplies still have not reached many remote areas 
where whole villages have been devastated.
  Over 30 nations, led by the United States, have rushed to aid and 
comfort the victims of the earthquake and its horrible after-effects. 
With natural disasters such as the South Asia earthquake and the Indian 
Ocean tsunami, the world has seen the generous heart of the American 
people.
  Our country has committed $50 million in initial relief supplies only 
from our government. We have also dedicated eight military helicopters 
to fly humanitarian missions, and we have transported over 70 tons of 
relief supplies to the neediest in the most remote areas.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States counts Pakistan as a strong ally in 
the war against terrorism, and it was my great pleasure recently to 
welcome President Musharraf to New York. Our assistance thus far proves 
that the United States is a solid friend of the Pakistani people. I 
urge our government and this Congress to support additional assistance 
to the people of Pakistan, India, and Kashmir.
  Our resolution offers the condolences of the House of Representatives 
and of the American people to the families, to the communities, and to 
the governments of Pakistan and India. It welcomes the humanitarian 
relief offered by other governments, the United Nations and expresses 
gratitude for the courageous work being performed by individuals 
providing aid, relief and assistance, including U.S. civilian and 
military personnel, under often extremely dangerous conditions.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2\1/4\ minutes to the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Crowley), a distinguished member of our committee.
  (Mr. CROWLEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)

                              {time}  1300

  Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
this time. I thank the chairman of the committee and the ranking member 
of the committee for introducing this resolution.
  Through this resolution today, the House of Representatives will send 
the condolences of the American people to those who have been so 
tragically affected by the October 8 earthquake. I believe this House 
can do more than just send our condolences, though.
  The President has taken the first step with the initial pledge of $50 
million and the USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance activated 
its disaster assistance relief team quickly to ensure that urgent aid 
was provided. But the situation in Pakistan, the hardest hit in South 
Asia, remains critical.
  The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian 
Affairs said that weather and lack of access to remote areas is 
delaying the aid needed to save countless lives. We are also seeing 
logistical problems in providing the basic needs of the people who were 
made homeless and without shelter by this quake and, as I mentioned 
earlier, further impaired by heavy rains and flooding in the earthquake 
region.
  Critical needs such as food, clean water, and shelter are badly 
needed as the winter is fast approaching in this mountainous region, 
akin to the Adirondack region in New York State, which this time of 
year can have snow, and especially during the evening. So far, we have 
been able to help thousands of people, but that is simply the tip of 
the iceberg.
  Madam Speaker, I represent one of the largest populations of South 
Asians in the country and over the past week I have been reaching out 
to my Pakistani community. What I have found is a community doing all 
that it can to

[[Page H8866]]

raise funds to help their families and friends who were so tragically 
affected by this earthquake. I also had the honor of speaking to a 
private Muslim school in my district to update them on the U.S. efforts 
to provide emergency relief. I was sad to learn that several students' 
families were directly affected, one student losing over 40 members of 
their family. The students and the community leaders were very grateful 
that our country is working to help their homeland, but we all agree 
that more can and needs to be done.
  Madam Speaker, I challenge this House to provide for the millions who 
have been left injured and homeless. This is a chance not only to help 
people in need, but to change the hearts and minds of Muslim countries' 
attitude towards the United States.
  After the tsunami, the majority of Indonesians changed their view of 
us because they saw the soft power of the United States. It is time to 
show that same soft power to the people of Pakistan so that they too 
can have a change of heart towards the United States and our people.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, before yielding time, I want to recognize 
my associate, Peter Yeo, who drafted and did the major work on this 
important legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3\1/2\ minutes to my good friend 
and colleague from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, let me first of all thank 
the leadership of the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde) and the 
gentleman from California (Ranking Member Lantos) for their quick and 
compassionate expression that we now have on the floor of the House.
  I rise today to join in the support of H.J. Res. 492, and I 
acknowledge as the cochair of the Pakistan Caucus, newly-founded, to 
have the pleasure of having both of the members of the Committee on 
International Relations leadership, the ranking member and chairman, 
being supportive of this effort, as I cochaired with my colleague, the 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton). I can assure my colleagues that we 
are very grateful for this profound statement, mourning the loss of so 
many. We do realize that the numbers continue to climb and that the 
difficulties are rising beyond our understanding.
  Just this past Sunday, some 70 members of the South Asian community 
were convened by my office in Houston, people of different views and 
political perspectives, but they united, as we did with the tsunami, 
and we have called ourselves Houston's Solution for Earthquake Relief 
and Rehabilitation in Pakistan.
  The reason I believe is because this picture is worth a thousand 
words. The impact on children is going to be unbelievable and without 
expression.
  So it is very important as we look to, as my colleagues have said, 
the relief from the United States, that we do several things. One, we 
are the coordinator, and I congratulate the administration for 
designating Afghanistan as the site of the command, and we acknowledge 
the loss, devastation in Afghanistan, not as much loss of life, and 
certainly India has been a real partner. I met last week with the 
ambassadors from India and spoke to both of them and offered my 
sympathy and also how we can be involved. Obviously, the obvious things 
that are needed are food and medicine and tents, but, most of all, 
coordination and dollars.
  So I am asking today that we put our heads together in this Congress 
and find the additional resources beyond the $50 million, because I can 
assure my colleagues that we believe these numbers are going to go up, 
not out of hysteria, of 100,000. We do not know the numbers for sure, 
but they will be climbing.
  The added concern is that it is getting enormously cold. It makes it 
very difficult for the rescuers to come. The roads are impassable, and 
many of those who were in that room on Sunday could recount for me the 
very terrible stories of their relatives, living outdoors, no heating, 
no addressing of their wounds, and, of course, this picture that shows 
the children who are orphaned.
  So I ask my colleagues to support H.J. Res. 492 and that we spend a 
moment of mourning, and I would ask that when it is appropriate that we 
rise in silence. During the time that we are on the floor of the House, 
I ask the Speaker to convene us in a moment of silence as we mourn for 
those who have lost their lives.
  I finally conclude by saying that we are grateful for what we have 
been able to do, but we all know that a good Samaritan, no matter what 
faith you may articulate this philosophy, it is better to give than to 
receive. We have given and are still giving to our own who are victims 
and survivors of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. Many who would 
say who are listening to this debate or discussion that we have our own 
to take care of, and we realize that America does have the 
responsibility of her own, but we know also that America has many 
blessings to count for, and those blessings, I believe, come because we 
have been willing to give, even until it hurts. These are people who 
are in desperate need, children by the thousands are suffering, and we 
hope that we will be able to provide for them as well.
  I ask my colleagues to support H.J. Res. 492.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 492, ``Mourning the loss 
of life caused by the earthquake that occurred on October 8, 2005, in 
Pakistan and India expressing condolences of the American people to the 
families of the victims, and urging assistance to those affected.''
  Earlier this month, a disaster occurred on a virtually unimaginable 
scale when an earthquake violently shook Southeast Asia. Over 50,000 
people were killed in India and Pakistan, and countless more were 
seriously injured. Whole cities were razed to the ground, and an 
estimated 2.5 to 3 million people lost their homes. This winter in 
Pakistan and India men, women, children, the elderly, the orphaned and 
the infirmed will be sleeping outside, exposed to the harsh mountain 
climate. They are lacking the basic necessities for life; in need of 
food, water, sanitation, basic healthcare, and adequate shelter.
  Disasters of this magnitude, no matter where they occur, affect all 
of us. In the face of this disaster, countries from around the world 
have joined together in pledging humanitarian aid to the affected 
regions. The United States can uniquely sympathize with the suffering 
and devastation felt in the earthquake-ravaged region. We too have felt 
the bitter sting of a natural disaster this year. Our feeling of loss 
and suffering gives us only a glimpse, however, of the utter 
devastation in the affected regions of India and Pakistan. Our shared 
losses bring the United States closer to our fellow humans on the other 
side of the globe, and should only serve to strengthen our national 
resolve to help those in need, rather than give us excuses for not 
giving the full support of the American people.
  The House of Representatives, together with the American people we 
represent, mourn the horrific loss of life and livelihood experienced 
in Pakistan and India. We offer them our fullest support in the 
reconstruction effort of the region, but also understand that no amount 
of money, goods, and supplies will replace the loss of life in the 
region. For this, we can only offer our deepest condolences to the 
people affected by the earthquake, and ask them to find the strength to 
see their friends, families, and communities through these difficult 
times.
  I support H. Res. 492 for the foregoing reasons, and I appeal to my 
colleagues to follow suit. The people of Pakistan and India will be in 
all of our thoughts and our prayers. I yield the remainder of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to my good 
friend and our distinguished colleague from New York (Mr. Owens).
  (Mr. OWENS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this very appropriate 
resolution. I think that beyond the spirit of this resolution there 
must be immediate response from the entire apparatus of the United 
States Government and from the United States people.
  Madam Speaker, we are weary, maybe, of disasters. When you add up the 
tsunami and Katrina and Rita, and now in Pakistan 55,000 have already 
died, and in the mountains they are freezing cold, without any shelter, 
twice that number may die before it is over, and one might say, well, 
we just cannot keep going on. We are donor weary, we are disaster 
weary. That is ridiculous. When we add up all of these people, maybe we 
will get 100,000 victims, but the world consists of 6 billion people 
and more than 200 nations. We can take care of all of these disasters 
if we put our mind to it.

[[Page H8867]]

  The United States must provide the leadership. $50 million is not 
enough. Speed is very important here. The formalities of waiting will 
mean that thousands and thousands of people will die unnecessarily.
  Madam Speaker, I hope that we will use as many of the helicopters in 
Afghanistan as we can, send them across the border to Pakistan. Eight 
helicopters is not enough. That is the only way these areas can be 
reached in the mountains. The roads are not passable. There are no 
places to land other kinds of aircraft. Only helicopters can land.
  I have one of the largest Pakistani communities in America in my 
district, and I visited Pakistan 4 years ago. I went to a school, 
several schools in Kashmir. One of the schools, an all-girls school 
that was having a test, an eighth grade test, I could see that eighth 
grade girls were studying quadratic equations. That is one of the 
schools that was crushed in the earthquake. I hope that the students 
were not in there. But I saw school after school of eager young people, 
anxious to learn, in those mountain schools. I went on those roads.
  Madam Speaker, if not in humanitarian terms alone, let us stop and 
think about the diplomacy issues here. Pakistan has long been our ally. 
Throughout the whole Cold War, they were our ally. We could not have 
driven the Russians from Afghanistan. We did not have a single soldier 
involved, but we were behind the sting of missiles and the whole 
strategy that drove the Russians out of Afghanistan and led to the 
collapse of the Soviet Union, but they were disappointed we did not 
honor them more for that. That is in the past. Right now, they are 
helping us in the war against terrorism. Their government is at risk 
because of their position with the United States on terrorism.
  What we do now with this earthquake, how we respond to this 
earthquake can determine the nature of our relationship with Pakistan 
forever. We have an opportunity, it is tragic, but an opportunity to 
demonstrate how we operate, how we react to help our friends. If they 
are really a friend, we can do so much more, and I hope that this 
resolution is just the beginning. I hope all Members will become 
sensitive to the fact that we can do more. We must do more. God expects 
us to do more.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I am delighted to yield 4 minutes to the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez), a distinguished member of the 
Committee on International Relations and the chairman of the Democratic 
Caucus.
  (Mr. MENENDEZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the distinguished 
ranking Democrat from California (Mr. Lantos) not only for his support 
but also for his leadership along with the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Hyde) in taking the lead on this important issue and bringing a 
resolution to the floor, one that I am strongly in support of.
  As we learned in September here in the United States, natural 
disasters strike without warning, destroy our homes and communities, 
and challenge us to take care of the victims. We also learned that it 
is only with the help of the world that we can respond to such large-
scale natural disasters. Over 90 countries responded after Hurricane 
Katrina, including both India and Pakistan. Now it is our turn to 
respond to them.
  Current estimates are that over 40,000 people were killed in India 
and Pakistan, and the number is only expected to rise. We know that the 
rescue efforts have been difficult, because many of the villages that 
were hardest hit were in remote mountainous areas which are almost 
impossible to reach. In fact, the U.N. estimates that only 30 to 40 
percent of an estimated 350 to 900 villages damaged by the earthquake 
have been inspected. Right now, many suffer without food, medicine, or 
shelter and face the oncoming winter cold with great fear.
  I want to commend the international rescue effort that is underway 
and the U.S. contribution to that effort. As Andrew Macleod, the United 
Nations Operations Chief in Pakistan, said, the task of responding to 
this crisis is ``bigger than all of us.'' We have all heard the saying, 
``the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.'' When nations 
contribute to the relief efforts in India and Pakistan, they are 
working together to create that greater response, that whole which is 
greater than the sum of its parts.
  In response to the United Nations' appeal for $272 million for 
emergency aid, over 30 countries have already offered assistance, and 
the United States has pledged $50 million. I hope the world and the 
United States will continue to provide not only immediate, but long-
term assistance to those areas that need it most, and I hope our 
combined efforts can prevent any public health disasters that could 
result from this tragedy.
  Our diversity is our greatest strength and connects us to almost 
every country in the world. When tragedy strikes anywhere in the world, 
it is also directly felt in the homes of U.S. citizens who still have 
family and friends in their countries of origin. So I would like to 
acknowledge the actions of the U.S. Indian and Pakistani communities 
who are sending money and aid to help the survivors. I see that in my 
own home State of New Jersey, which has the third largest population of 
Indian Americans in the country and a very large Pakistani community as 
well.
  In closing, I want to express my deepest sympathies and condolences 
to the families and friends of those who perished in last Saturday's 
earthquake in India and Pakistan. This has been a year of great trials 
and tribulations, of enormous disasters followed by unprecedented 
responses. But as we learned after the tsunami at the start of the year 
and during the hurricanes last month, and as I am confident we will see 
again with this earthquake, together we can be greater than the sum of 
our parts and overcome these grave natural disasters.
  I encourage all Members to vote for the resolution.

                              {time}  1315

  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis).
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, let me first of all commend and 
congratulate the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Lantos) not only for their leadership in bringing 
this resolution, this legislation to the floor, but also for the 
tremendous leadership that they have consistently provided in dealing 
with the international affairs and international relationships between 
our country and how we respond to the needs of many other nations 
throughout the world. I think that they have both demonstrated exactly 
what we need in this direction, and I commend them.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation because 
it is an indication of our leadership responsibility. The Bible says 
that to those to whom much is given, much is expected in return. We 
have indeed been a very fortunate Nation, and we are fortunate to be 
able to provide assistance to others throughout the world.
  I have worked very closely with the Indian and Palestinian 
communities in Chicago and the Chicago area. As a matter of fact, I 
serve on the board of directors of East-West University, which is a 
primarily Pakistani-owned university, and have many close friends 
there.
  So I extend condolences to those who have been adversely affected and 
again commend our leadership.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support H. Res. 492 
of which I am an original cosponsor and join with my colleagues in 
mourning the loss of life as a result of the earthquake that occurred 
on October 8, 2005 in Pakistan and India.
  It is estimated that the earthquake claimed the lives of 20,000 to 
40,000 people and left more than 2.5 million homeless. Millions of 
people throughout the region now lack clean water, food, proper 
sanitation, basic healthcare, adequate shelter, and other necessities.
  To date, the U.S. and 30 other donor countries have pledged several 
hundred million dollars in emergency and long-term reconstruction 
assistance and many are involved in delivering humanitarian supplies.
  As the ranking member of the International Relations Subcommittee on 
Asia and the Pacific, I express my condolences to the victims and urge 
continued assistance of those affected. In the case of India, I 
especially commend the efforts of the Indian American community for 
mobilizing its forces and working

[[Page H8868]]

with Members of Congress to make sure help is rendered.
  I urge support of this legislation and I thank Chairman Hyde and 
Ranking Member Lantos for their leadership in crafting this important 
piece of legislation and bringing it before the House for consideration 
this day.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HYDE. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 492.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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