[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 162 (Wednesday, October 24, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H11938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES

  (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to express on behalf of 
California's congressional delegation our appreciation to our 
colleagues here in the House of Representatives and to the 
administration, President Bush and Secretary Chertoff and Director 
Paulison and others in the administration who are at this moment on the 
ground in Southern California, and to the courageous firefighters and 
Governor Schwarzenegger and his entire team for all that is being done 
to deal with what has been described by one battalion chief in San 
Diego, California, as the worst fire that the State has ever faced. 
Last night, Brian Williams of NBC News said that the fact that nearly a 
million people have been evacuated from their homes means that this is 
the largest movement of people since the Civil War.
  We are going to go through some very difficult and challenging days 
ahead, and to the firefighters, to those who have suffered losses, our 
thoughts and prayers are with you. And again my appreciation to our 
colleagues who represent States across this country, North Carolina, 
Wyoming, Arizona, Idaho, States all across this country, Mr. Speaker, 
that have stepped up to the plate to help us. I also want to express my 
appreciation to Speaker Pelosi as well.

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