[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 135 (Wednesday, September 23, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H9837-H9840]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           EXTENDING CONDOLENCES TO VICTIMS OF GEORGIA FLOODS

  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 765) expressing condolences to the families of 
the individuals killed during unusual storms and floods in the State of 
Georgia between September 18 and 21, 2009, and expressing gratitude to 
all of the emergency personnel who continue to work with

[[Page H9838]]

unyielding determination to meet the needs of Georgia's residents.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 765

       Whereas the State of Georgia has been hit by days of 
     unusually strong storms that have resulted in downpours and 
     flooding, beginning on September 18, 2009;
       Whereas numerous Georgia rivers and creeks, including the 
     Chattooga and Chattahoochee Rivers and Chickamauga Creek, 
     swollen by days of rain, have overtopped their banks, 
     creating a dangerous and deadly situation for nearby 
     residents;
       Whereas the storms and floods have taken human lives;
       Whereas the floodwater has destroyed homes, flooded 
     roadways, including major highways, compromised drinking 
     water, severely damaged plumbing systems, and caused 
     significant damage to homes and businesses;
       Whereas on September 21, 2009, Georgia Governor Sonny 
     Perdue declared a state of emergency in 17 counties, 
     including Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clayton, 
     Cobb, Crawford, DeKalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, 
     Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens, and Walker Counties;
       Whereas the National Weather Service estimated that between 
     15 and 22 inches of rain have fallen in the metropolitan 
     Atlanta counties of Gwinnett, Douglas, and Paulding between 
     September 18 and 21, 2009;
       Whereas the rains have broken a 130-year-old record at 
     Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport;
       Whereas hundreds of Georgians have been evacuated from 
     their homes and over 300 people are seeking refuge in 
     shelters;
       Whereas the Governor estimates that over 1,000 residences 
     are seriously flooded;
       Whereas the weather has closed schools in several counties;
       Whereas as many as tens of thousands of people have been 
     without power in metropolitan Atlanta;
       Whereas search and rescue operations are continuing in 
     several counties where the water continues to rise;
       Whereas the Georgia Emergency Management Agency has 
     coordinated with local emergency personnel and has worked 
     tirelessly to protect human lives and rescue those threatened 
     by the floods;
       Whereas the Georgia Emergency Management Agency continues 
     to facilitate requests for assistance from citizens and first 
     responders all across the State of Georgia;
       Whereas the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and other 
     first responders have acted valiantly in life safety response 
     operations, including delivering sandbags and rescuing people 
     trapped in their cars and homes from the floodwater;
       Whereas the Federal Emergency Management Agency has 
     activated its national and regional response coordination 
     centers and is working closely with the State of Georgia to 
     monitor the response efforts and identify and respond to any 
     immediate emergency needs for the citizens and communities of 
     the State that are impacted by these devastating floods; and
       Whereas volunteers are giving their time to help ensure 
     that evacuees are sheltered, clothed, fed, and comforted 
     through this traumatic event: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) offers its deepest sympathy and condolences to the 
     families of those who lost their lives in the flooding in the 
     State of Georgia;
       (2) expresses its condolences to the families who lost 
     their homes and other property in the floods;
       (3) expresses gratitude and appreciation to the people of 
     the State of Georgia and the surrounding States, who continue 
     to work to protect people from the still rising floodwaters;
       (4) expresses its support as the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency continues its efforts to respond to any 
     needs of the citizens and communities affected by the 
     flooding; and
       (5) honors the emergency responders, within and beyond 
     metropolitan Atlanta and the State of Georgia, for their 
     bravery and sacrifice during this tragedy.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mario 
Diaz-Balart) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota.


                             General Leave

  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H. Res. 765.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Minnesota?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. 
I rise in strong support of H. Res. 765.
  We have come to this floor many times over the past 2\1/2\ years with 
resolutions to express our condolences for victims of the ravages of 
nature, to the first responders, to the families of the victims, and we 
are here again in the wake of unprecedented flooding in Georgia 
following on an extraordinary period of drought in that State.
  This tragic disaster, the complete toll for which has yet to be 
calculated, is a reminder that amidst all of our concern for homeland 
security, as my good friend, former chairman of the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure, Don Young said many times, we face 
that tragedy every year with disasters in the form of nature's ravages 
upon our countryside, and we are here and we meet again today to thank 
the men and women who serve the Nation, serve the State of Georgia and 
the people of that State as police officers, firefighters, emergency 
managers, emergency medical personnel, who every day place themselves 
in danger to save the lives of their fellow citizens. Not only in 
Georgia but all over this country, we all see it, each of us in our 
districts.
  When tragedy comes calling, whether an emergency medical problem 
facing a neighbor or large-scale natural disaster, the Nation's 
emergency responders, our charitable organizations, are the first ones 
on the scene to provide their professional help and their comfort and 
their support. They are well-trained, highly skilled people on the 
front lines within this country responding to the needs of people and 
also responding to mitigate the damage and the ravage of natural 
disasters.
  This is also National Preparedness Month, and while the devastation 
in Georgia and surrounding States is tragic, this is an opportunity for 
us to think in a broader context of all of the types of disasters, 
whether fire on the west coast in California or flood on the east 
coast, are constantly a threat to our fellow citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, at this point I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. 
Lewis) such time as he may consume.
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank Chairman Oberstar 
and members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for 
moving with all deliberate speed to bring this resolution to the floor 
today.
  As many of you know, for the past week it has been raining all over 
the State of Georgia. In some parts of the State, the rain has been 
devastating. I offer this resolution with my colleagues from the State 
of Georgia to express my sincerest sympathies to the families of those 
who have lost their loved ones in the floods. This is a terrible 
tragedy for the people of the State of Georgia. Some families have lost 
their homes; they have lost everything.
  I am deeply concerned about the damage this flooding has caused to 
homes and businesses, to roads and bridges. Some schools in the State 
remain closed, and at least one school has been destroyed. The Governor 
is estimating that the damage will rise into the hundreds of millions 
of dollars, and that is based on what can be seen. Many areas are still 
underwater, and we hear that the rain is not yet over.
  I appeal to the citizens of Georgia to be careful as you move around. 
It is impossible to know how deep the waters are or how fast they are 
moving.
  Finally, I want to thank all of the emergency personnel for all of 
their hard work in protecting people from the dangers of the 
floodwaters.
  I know that my colleagues join me in my commitment to working with 
the State, city and county officials, as well as FEMA and the Federal 
Government, to ensure that the State of Georgia has everything it needs 
to protect human life and to help our citizens rebuild and recover from 
these unbelievable waters, this unbelievable flood.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members of this body to support this 
resolution.
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  This resolution would express the condolences of this Congress to the 
families of those tragically lost during the storms and floods that hit 
Georgia earlier this week. As our distinguished chairman explained 
earlier, it would also serve to recognize and remind the American 
people of the work of the emergency responders, the first responders 
during this disaster and, frankly, during all disasters.
  Earlier this week, those storms hit part of the Southeast, soaking 
the region for days. In many cases it is still

[[Page H9839]]

going on and causing significant flooding. Those rains caused severe 
flooding, destroying bridges and forcing hundreds and hundreds of 
people to be evacuated. Unfortunately, those same floodwaters caused a 
number of tragic deaths, including the death of a 2-year-old boy.
  We Floridians, unfortunately, know all too well what kind of 
devastation a storm like this can cause.

                              {time}  1300

  We also have been able to see firsthand the first responders and 
other emergency personnel and the Red Cross, how they continuously work 
tirelessly, as they are doing right now as we speak, to respond in the 
aftermath to those who are hurting and suffering still.
  So I do think that it is very fitting to remember those lives that 
have been lost, tragically lost, and to once again express our deep 
profound gratitude to those involved in the response and the recovery 
effort.
  I also want to thank the distinguished chairman of the committee, Mr. 
Oberstar, for bringing this up so quickly. I support passage of the 
resolution and urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal).
  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Yesterday, I visited the sections in my congressional district that 
were affected by the floods that were brought on by the torrential 
rains that our State has experienced. I was accompanied on that visit 
by county commissioners and other State and local officials.
  Having seen the devastation that has been brought on by these rising 
waters, I am pleased to join with my other colleagues from Georgia in 
urging President Obama to declare portions of Georgia, including three 
counties in my congressional district, to be Federal disaster areas. I 
was deeply moved by the flood damage that was caused in the counties of 
Catoosa, Forsyth and Walker that are in my district. Chickamauga Creek 
was nearing its crest, and there are a number of homes and businesses 
that are now covered or partially covered by deep, muddy water.
  Unfortunately, many of those who are affected by this are not covered 
by the standard insurance policies, and therefore they are going to be 
left without any help other than the help already being provided by 
churches and civic organizations and other parts of our community as 
they respond to the needs of their fellow citizens. Therefore, I urge 
the President to begin the process immediately of providing Federal 
assistance.
  Citizens of Georgia have always been willing to respond when disaster 
strikes, and many of our citizens have gone to other parts of the 
country when hurricanes had hit. I know that as this water subsides 
there will be organized volunteers who will come to the aid of the 
citizens in our State.
  I am also hopeful that people of faith will continue to join me in 
praying for those who are hurting for the loss of their loved ones and 
the loss of their home and their other possessions. We should pray for 
those who are willing to volunteer during this time of tragedy, 
sometimes at great risk.
  I applaud the work of the local and State emergency responders who 
have been on duty, both before and after this storm. Public safety 
agencies have once again risen to the occasion, and I want to extend my 
thanks to each of them, because many of them have been on duty around 
the clock. We have so many professionals who work tirelessly to make 
certain that our communities are safe and that people are rescued when 
they are in peril, and such is the case in our State today.
  Mr. Speaker, I therefore wholeheartedly support this resolution and 
urge its adoption.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, although our Speaker is in line to address 
us, she has graciously agreed to yield to the gentleman from Georgia.
  I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia 
(Mr. Scott).
  Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Thank you so much, Chairman Oberstar, and thank 
you for your graciousness, Madam Speaker, and your offer of help and 
condolences that you have extended to each member of our Georgia 
delegation and to all the people of Georgia. We thank you for your 
concern, and yours, Mr. Chairman.
  I certainly rise with a heavy heart. This is an extraordinarily 
challenging time for the people of my State of Georgia and certainly 
for people in my congressional district, for, Mr. Speaker, of the nine 
persons that have lost their lives so far, six of them have come from 
my district, and, as a matter of fact, six have come from one county, 
and that is Douglas County. So our hearts and our prayers go out for 
all of these families.
  Rest assured that this Congress has their thoughts and their needs 
deep in our bosom at this time of great sacrifice and of great hurt and 
pain. It is important for the people of Georgia to know that we in 
Congress are moving swiftly in concert with our President to make sure 
that this gets the signature of a statement of national emergency and a 
declaration of emergency, because until that happens, we will not be 
able to get the funds that are needed.
  That is what is of utmost importance now. There are people without 
homes. There are people without homes without any flood insurance, 
which means that that would be on their backs to pay for, which many do 
not have. The estimate of damage is over $300 million as we speak and 
continues to grow. So we need to move with all swiftness, with all 
quick dispatch, to get this Federal aid down and to make sure that the 
people, particularly in those areas that were hit throughout Metro 
Atlanta, but also in the areas of Cobb County in my district.
  We have been in touch with our county commissions in those areas, 
with Tom Wortham in Douglas County and the mayor of Douglasville, Mayor 
Mickey Thompson, who are working feverishly to make sure that they are 
responding to the needs of our citizens.
  So, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chairman, all the Members of the Congress, we 
certainly appreciate the condolences, and we appreciate the care and 
the sincerity that this Congress is expressing to the people of 
Georgia, and we assure the people of Georgia that we will get the help 
down to them quickly.
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve my time.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to 
the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), our distinguished Speaker 
of the House.
  Ms. PELOSI. I thank the gentleman for yielding and for giving us this 
opportunity to come to the floor to express on the floor of the House 
our condolences to the people of Georgia in this very, very sad time.
  Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Members of the Georgia delegation, for 
calling attention to the serious flooding in Georgia and other parts of 
the American southeast and again with this resolution to offer our 
condolences on behalf of all Members of the Congress.
  Of course, we offer our condolences to those who lost their lives. We 
are sad for those who have lost their homes and their livelihoods. 
Those lost, as Mr. David Scott referenced, include nine people dead, 
dozens stranded and more than 30,000 without electricity. Those lost 
included a teenage boy trying to rescue another in danger; a mother of 
two young children; and a very young child, 2 years old, swept away 
from his father's arms. When that word came over the TV, my colleagues, 
all of America wept. It is just so sad. Our hearts ache for those who 
have lost so much.
  But in the emerging sun, what do we see? We see neighbors coming to 
the aid of neighbors and the tireless work of our first responders.
  Members of Congress are being briefed on the ongoing events by our 
members of the Georgia delegation. Thank you, Mr. Lewis, for being the 
author of this resolution. We are all trying to reach out to see what 
we can do to help individually in conversation and as a Congress.
  I know that President Obama will act upon the request that he has 
just received. He has received the request from Governor Perdue. Now he 
has received the formal documentation from FEMA, and I am certain that 
it will be addressed immediately.
  The thoughts and prayers of this entire Congress and the people we 
represent, the American people, are with

[[Page H9840]]

the people of Georgia today and in these days ahead as we work with 
them to ensure that they have all that they need. I hope it is some 
level of comfort to them that their representatives on both sides of 
the aisle from Georgia have made us fully aware of the direct impact 
that the rains have had on Georgia. We stand ready to help with 
whatever we can do officially, but always with what we can do in our 
prayers.
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve my time.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Johnson), whose district also 
covers a great portion of the area ravaged by the floods.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
  Mr. Speaker, my constituents are suffering greatly this week. In just 
72 hours, the Atlanta metropolitan area has received 15 to 22 inches of 
relentless rain, causing widespread flooding, numerous deaths and 
hundreds of millions of dollars of property damage.
  I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to express my deepest concern for the 
victims of this terrible flood, to join Governor Perdue in urging the 
President to declare an emergency for the State of Georgia, and to urge 
passage of the resolution before us.
  Sponsored by my colleague, Congressman John Lewis of Atlanta, this 
resolution will offer our sympathy to flood victims and our gratitude 
to those heroes who have worked tirelessly to protect people from the 
floodwaters.
  I know that Speaker Pelosi is doing everything that she can to assist 
the people of Georgia, and for that I thank her. As a matter of fact, 
as early as yesterday morning she was on the phone with each of us to 
express her concerns and to also pledge any assistance that she could 
give. So we appreciate that.
  Governor Perdue and President Obama have been on the phone 
coordinating efforts to deal with this national disaster. I applaud the 
Governor for the State's competent and effective response, and I join 
him in urging our President to make available Federal funds to 
supplement Georgia's efforts to mitigate the effects of the flood.
  Mr. Speaker, my constituents and all the residents of flooded areas 
in the American South have shown tremendous courage in the face of 
washed-out roads, destroyed homes and treacherous conditions. Let us 
pass this resolution as a small token of our empathy and support.
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no further 
speakers and yield back my time.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 765.
  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. OBERSTAR. 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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