[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          FLOODING IN ILLINOIS

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                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2008

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the heroic 
efforts of all those in my district who have responded to the 
destruction that Hurricane Ike left in its path. After ravaging Texas 
and Louisiana, Hurricane Ike's rains made their way through the 
Midwest, devastating the area with record-level rainfall and causing 
massive flooding in northeastern Illinois, including parts of my 
district. Throughout the Chicagoland area, the amounts of rain broke 
records--almost 7 inches of rain fell in my district on just 1 day, the 
most in history. More than 90 billion gallons of rain were dumped on 
the area.
  Governor Blagojevich declared seven counties in Illinois disaster 
areas. This will set in motion a process that will allow the Federal 
Government to make a major disaster declaration so that Illinois can be 
eligible for Federal assistance to help individuals, families, and 
businesses and help local governments; and hazard mitigation assistance 
so affected areas can implement projects to reduce future flood damage. 
In the meantime, I have encouraged my constituents to avoid flooded 
areas, to report instances of price gouging, and to be prepared with a 
solid inventory of the items they have lost when they contact their 
insurance companies to report damage.
  Every single community in my district was affected, particularly the 
towns of Des Plaines and Park Ridge. I would like to thank and commend 
the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, local first-responders, the 
American Red Cross, and local elected officials like my friend Des 
Plaines Mayor Arredia--who has been a leader in the effort to prevent 
flooding in the region--for quickly mobilizing the response and 
providing relief for the flood victims. I also want to recognize the 
neighbors who helped their neighbors, and all of the people who came 
together in the face of hardship. Their response to Hurricane Ike was a 
great example of the heart of the people of my district.
  Yesterday, I joined Governor Blagojevich and other State, county, and 
local elected officials at the Prairie Lake Community Center in Des 
Plaines, which is serving as a relief and relocation shelter, to visit 
with people displaced from their homes with nowhere to go and thank the 
Red Cross volunteers who are doing such great work. I promised those 
people taking shelter that I won't stop working with the Army Corps of 
Engineers to complete the Des Plaines River Project. Those parts of the 
project that have already been completed made a difference and saved 
homes from being flooded. I will also keep working to ensure that local 
municipal projects that address flood prevention get the funds they 
need.
  Congress needs to appropriate funds to respond to the devastation 
that Hurricane Ike and Hurricane Gustav left in their wake. I urge all 
of my colleagues to join me in making sure that we allocate sufficient 
resources to help FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers, and States and 
communities across the country rebuild in a coming spending package.

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