[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 17 (Monday, February 13, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S1127]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE AND FIRE: IN 
                             COMMEMORATION

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise to recognize the 100th 
anniversary of one of the most significant disasters in California 
history, San Francisco's Great Earthquake and Fire of 1906.
  One hundred years ago, the city of San Francisco experienced this 
horrific tragedy when the city shook for almost 60 seconds and 
communities from as far away as Oregon, Los Angeles, and Nevada felt 
the tremors. The Richter scale was not yet in existence in 1906, but 
seismologists today estimate this earthquake had a magnitude of 7.7 to 
8.0.
  Following the earthquake, fires broke out across the city and raged 
for 3 days. In fact, the fires did more damage than the earthquake. As 
a result of this disaster, over 3,000 people were killed, 300,000 
people became homeless, and the city suffered about $500 million worth 
of damage. Telegraph and telephone services were destroyed as well as 
the municipal railway and all government buildings.
  The 100th anniversary of this historic tragedy provides an 
opportunity to reflect on what we have learned and how to better 
prepare for a similar event. We now know that residents must be 
prepared to be self-sufficient for 72 hours following a disaster. And 
the city of San Francisco has done a great deal to make the community 
safer.
  San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has spearheaded an updated citywide 
emergency plan--the first time it has been done in 10 years. The San 
Francisco Fire Department offers training in disaster and emergency 
response for residents. Over 11,000 San Francisco residents have 
completed the course in the past 15 years. San Francisco has also 
invested $2.5 million in leading the development of a regional response 
plan with seven other bay area counties. This is one of the first 
regional response plans in the country. I commend the city and county 
of San Francisco on its efforts to ensure the city is ready to respond 
to a disaster.
  Having witnessed the slow response to Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf 
States, I wrote to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, in 
September asking for a copy of their disaster response plan for a 
serious earthquake in California. I am still waiting to receive their 
plan. Without the plan in hand, I remain very concerned that FEMA is 
not prepared should a major earthquake or natural disaster occur in 
California.
  It is very important that the State of California and its residents 
are working to prepare themselves for a major disaster. I have created 
a ``Getting Ready'' guide on my Senate Web site to help my constituents 
prepare their homes and families for a disaster. This guide is 
organized in easy-to-follow steps and provides links to other 
preparedness sites--www.boxer.senate.gov/equake.cfm.
  On the 100th anniversary of the Great San Francisco Earthquake and 
Fire, I rise to honor the memory of those who lost their lives during 
this disaster. I also pause to reflect on the tragedy that befell this 
great city and its citizens. The community came together to repair and 
restore the city, and today, San Francisco is one of the United States' 
top tourist destinations and a dynamic urban center.
  I also commemorate this anniversary by encouraging all of us to look 
forward and ensure our families are prepared for a major earthquake or 
similar disaster. I will continue fighting to ensure the Federal 
Government is taking the steps necessary to help our local communities 
in disaster response.

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