[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 175 (Tuesday, November 13, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H13538-H13539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXPRESSING SYMPATHY AND PLEDGING SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF FLOODING IN
SOUTHERN MEXICO
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree
to the resolution (H. Res. 812) expressing the sympathy and pledging
the urgent support of the House of Representatives and the people of
the United States for the victims of the devastating flooding in
southern Mexico, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 812
Whereas in late October 2007, a series of storms brought
torrential rainfall to southern Mexico, especially the States
of Tabasco and Chiapas, causing the Grijalva, Carrizal, and
Puxcatan Rivers to overflow their banks;
Whereas early reports have branded the resulting floods as
the worst in Mexico in 50 years and Mexican President
Calderon has called it ``one of the worst natural disasters
in the history of our country. Not only because of the size
of the area affected, but because of the number of people
affected'';
Whereas the flooding is estimated to have affected
1,000,000 people so far;
Whereas Mexico's Federal Social Development Department now
estimates that the homes of over 500,000 people were damaged
or destroyed;
Whereas more than 300,000 people are reported to still be
trapped inside their homes or on their rooftops, with
uncertain access to food, medicine, and safe drinking water;
Whereas forecasts call for even more rain in the days
ahead;
Whereas the Governor of the State of Tabasco Andres Granier
stated that 100 percent of the states crops were lost and
that 80 percent of the State of Tabasco is under water;
Whereas the capital of Tabasco, Villahermosa, has been
particularly devastated, being compared to New Orleans after
Hurricane Katrina;
Whereas the flooding has hampered the capacity of Mexico's
oil industry;
Whereas in the State of Chiapas, authorities have declared
a state of emergency in 22 municipalities and at least 7,000
people have been evacuated to shelters;
Whereas Red Cross workers in Mexico have called for urgent
supplies of water, food, and basic materials to assist in the
rescue efforts; and
Whereas health officials have begun warning against the
serious possibility of cholera and waterborne diseases: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) expresses its heartfelt sympathy for the victims of the
devastating flooding affecting southern Mexico;
(2) conveys its sincere support to the people and
Government of Mexico;
(3) urges the United States Government to immediately make
available all appropriate assistance requested by the Mexican
authorities; and
(4) reaffirms its commitment to provide relief aid to the
victims as the effects of the flooding continue to unfold.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr.
Bilirakis) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from American Samoa.
General Leave
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from American Samoa?
There was no objection.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this
resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to first thank my colleague and dear friend, the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Linda T. Sanchez), and also the
chairman of our House Foreign Affairs Committee and the distinguished
senior ranking member, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, for their support and
leadership; and again especially my good friend, Congresswoman Linda
Sanchez, for her authorship of this resolution. This is very, very
critical, Mr. Speaker. We cannot support Mexico enough during one of
the worst natural disasters in their history.
A series of storms have brought torrential rainfall to southern
Mexico, especially the States of Tabasco and Chiapas, causing the
Grijalva, Carrizal, and Puxcatan Rivers to overflow their banks. The
homes of an estimated half a million people have been damaged or
destroyed, and at least that many more people have been affected by
severed utilities and transportation corridors.
Mr. Speaker, Mexican President Felipe Calderon has called it ``one of
the worst natural disasters in the history of our country. Not only
because of the size of the area affected but because of the number of
people affected.''
The Governor of the State of Tabasco, Andres Granier, stated that 100
percent of the State's crops were lost and that 80 percent of the State
of Tabasco is underwater. Over a million Tabascans, half the State's
population, have been directly affected, with at least half a million
losing their homes and even more losing all of their material
possessions. The capital of Tabasco, Villahermosa, has been
particularly devastated, being compared to New Orleans after Hurricane
Katrina.
Mr. Speaker, an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 people were being housed
in shelters, Interior Minister Francisco Ramirez Acuna said recently in
a television interview. He estimated that some 400,000 people in
Tabasco would need some kind of government aid to get back on their
feet. The floodwaters' descent could lead to outbreaks of diseases like
malaria, dengue fever and cholera.
Mr. Speaker, we must commend President Calderon, who has led Mexico's
rapid response to its worst flooding in recent history and who has
personally played a major role in averting a catastrophe on the level
of Katrina. Amid heavy rains, President Calderon ordered in thousands
of soldiers, marines, pilots and federal police on October 29, 2 days
before the most damaging flooding hit. When the riverbanks finally
burst, inundating some 70 percent
[[Page H13539]]
of the city of Villahermosa on October 31, there were more than 60
helicopters ready to carry out nonstop rescue and relief missions.
President Calderon and half his cabinet were on the ground, giving
televised updates on everything from how to use satellite phones in
shelters to the drop points of millions of bottles of water. The
President's reaction is most impressive, and I take this opportunity
here on the House floor to applaud this leader's efforts.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution expresses the empathy of the United
States House of Representatives during this time and pledges our
continued assistance. We applaud the prompt humanitarian response of
the Mexican government, international organizations, and relief bodies.
We must continue to support these efforts as long as they are
necessary.
In this resolution, it is resolved that the House of Representatives
urge the U.S. Government to immediately make available all possible
assistance to Mexican authorities and reaffirms its commitment to
provide relief aid to the victims as the effects of the flooding
continue to unfold.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may
consume.
I stand to join my colleague, my good friend from American Samoa,
today to express my sincere sympathy and support for those who have
suffered as a result of the recent torrential storms in southern
Mexico. The damage has been devastating. It is reported that as many as
1 million people have been affected by the flooding, with the homes of
an estimated 500,000 people being destroyed or damaged. The Governor of
the State of Tabasco has stated that 100 percent of the State's crops
have been lost and 80 percent of his state is underwater. What a shame.
Sadly, with more than 300,000 people reported trapped inside their
homes or on rooftops and additional downpour predicted, it is still too
early to quantify the total destruction wrought by these unrelenting
rains. Just over 2 months ago, Mexico was ravaged by Hurricanes Dean
and Henriette. Now what President Calderon has characterized, and I
quote, one of the worst natural disasters in the history of Mexico has
followed.
I am awed by the perseverance of our friends in Mexico and commend
the courage they continue to demonstrate in their efforts to overcome
the damage of these storms. Furthermore, I admire the contributions
made by relief organizations and private citizens from around the world
to assist in the aftermath. My prayers are with the families and
friends of those harmed by the perils of this storm.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 10 minutes
to the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Linda T.
Sanchez).
Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. I want to thank the gentleman for
graciously yielding me so much time. I would also like to thank the
distinguished chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Congressman Tom Lantos, and the distinguished ranking member, Ileana
Ros-Lehtinen, for supporting this important resolution that I am
offering today.
The U.S. has had its share of natural disasters recently, from
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 to this year's southern California
wildfires, some of which are still burning as I speak. As we have
learned, it is difficult even for the United States, one of the
wealthiest nations in the world, to adequately care for our victims and
rebuild our communities once we have experienced one of these natural
disasters.
In both of those disasters, our neighbor was there to help us with
emergency relief units and firefighters. Now Mexico faces the challenge
of a devastating natural disaster within its own borders.
This resolution recognizes the plight of our Mexican neighbors and
expresses our desire and commitment to support Mexico during one of the
worst natural disasters in its history, a disaster which the country's
President has described as one of the worst not only because of the
size of the area affected but because of the number of people affected.
As many Americans already know, a series of storms brought torrential
rainfall to southern Mexico, especially the States of Tabasco and
Chiapas, causing various rivers to overflow their banks.
At least half a million people's homes have been damaged or destroyed
and perhaps double that number are without utilities or cut off from
transportation routes.
In the State of Tabasco, as was already mentioned, 100 percent of the
agricultural crops have been lost and 80 percent of the state is
underwater. It's incredible.
Truly, this is a disaster of epic proportions. In this agricultural
area, even those who were able to stay safe during the storm will face
many challenges in the weeks ahead. Having lost their crops, which for
many are their sole source of income, surviving and keeping their
families fed and intact will be difficult.
In addition to picking up the pieces of their lives after losing
their homes and crops and everything that they owned, the flood
survivors face increased threats from diseases like malaria, dengue
fever and cholera.
As a good neighbor, it is imperative that we do all that we can to
help Mexico ensure that the flood victims can indeed get back on their
feet. It is the least we can do for a neighbor who did what it could to
help us in our times of need when we experienced natural disasters.
I also want to take a moment to commend and comment on Mexican
President Felipe Calderon for leading his country's rapid response to
this devastation and for the work that he did before the rains fell to
avert an even greater catastrophe. The President's swift reaction
avoided even greater disaster, and I applaud his efforts. They really
were impressive.
This resolution today expresses the sympathy of the U.S. House of
Representatives during this time and pledges our continued assistance.
We want to acknowledge the prompt humanitarian response that has come
from many quarters, not just the Mexican Government but international
organizations and relief bodies. We must continue to support these
efforts as long as they are necessary.
I urge my colleagues not only to support this resolution but to work
together to ensure that its goals are realized. I urge us to continue
to work in a bi-partisan manner to address this humanitarian crisis. We
must not just speak of our good intentions; we must act on them. We
must immediately make assistance available to Mexican authorities so
that Mexico can continue to provide relief aid to the victims as the
effects of the flooding continue to unfold.
I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.
{time} 1315
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentlewoman for her most
eloquent remarks before the floor of this House and, again, I want to
urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) that the House suspend
the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 812, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. 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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