[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 172 (Wednesday, November 7, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         ANSWERING THE CALL IN THE WAKE OF TROPICAL STORM NOEL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 7, 2007

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise to seek my colleagues' help with 
the humanitarian crisis in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mexico, and 
the Bahamas, whose devastation many have compared to Hurricane Katrina.
  Last week, Tropical Storm Noel became the deadliest storm of the 2007 
hurricane season, responsible for at least 140 deaths throughout the 
Caribbean. Flooding and mudslides caused by the heavy rainfall led to 
the displacement of more than 80,000 people and isolated small towns 
and villages in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mexico, and the Bahamas.
  The track of this deadly storm brought back those poignant 
reflections of how helpless we felt when Katrina hit, how frustrated we 
were at not being able to help, and the lessons we learned from that 
storm. Yet now a new storm has come with the same intensity and 
devastation and we have a chance to do something about it.
  Our Government is beginning to respond. This past weekend, three U.S. 
Coast Guard helicopters began conducting search and rescue operations 
and assisted with aerial assessments of affected areas to determine 
needs. The Defense Department has sent helicopters and personnel to the 
Dominican Republic and Peace Corps volunteers in the country have been 
dispatched to affected areas to help.
  In all, the United States Government has contributed over $350,000 
directly to the Dominican Government, $200,000 to the Pan American 
Health Organization and $100,000 to Catholic Relief Services, CRS, and 
World Vision for the local water, shelter materials, and other 
emergency relief supplies. Our Government has also provided, through 
U.S. Agency for International Development and the Office of U.S. 
Foreign Disaster Assistance, an additional $500,000 for emergency 
relief supplies, water, sanitation, and hygiene support, and other 
emergency relief activities.
  Yet more help is needed. The U.N. reports that 40 percent of the 
water distribution system and 60 percent of the country's 122 aqueducts 
have been damaged. Public shelters and medical facilities are reaching 
their maximum capacity, while sanitation conditions are deteriorating 
and relief supplies are quickly running out.
  It's true that we can't fly the helicopters and we can't distribute 
the water. But there are a lot of other ways in which we can help. We 
here in Congress can make sure that our Government does not stray from 
these initial commitments and that bureaucratic red tape does not 
impede the transportation of supplies to the areas hardest hit. We can 
also appeal to constituents in our own home districts to give to the 
local charities that are involved in this effort, like the Red Cross or 
Catholic Charities.
  We must not forget that our country's strength lies not just in size 
of our military, but also in the depth of our compassion. Whatever 
people can give--from hard cash to canned goods to clothes--will help 
lift and restore the lives of the victims of this terrible tragedy. Any 
effort will go a long way to relieving the suffering that continues to 
be felt by our friends and neighbors.

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