[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 15, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H6719-H6721]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1340
             OBSERVING FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF HURRICANE RITA

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend 
the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1583) observing the 
fifth anniversary of the date on which Hurricane Rita devastated the 
coasts of Louisiana and Texas, remembering those lost in the storm and 
in the process of evacuation, recovery, and rebuilding; saluting the 
dedication of the volunteers who offered assistance in support of those 
affected by the storm, recognizing the progress of efforts to rebuild 
the affected Gulf Coast region, commending the persistence of the 
people of the States of Louisiana and Texas following the second major 
hurricane to hit Louisiana that season, and reaffirming Congress' 
commitment to restore and renew the Gulf Coast region, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1583

       Whereas on September 24, 2005, Hurricane Rita made landfall 
     as a Category 3 hurricane just east of the Texas-Louisiana 
     border, between Sabine Pass and Johnson's Bayou, with wind 
     speeds of 120 miles per hour, and further devastated the Gulf 
     Coast;
       Whereas Hurricane Rita caused 7 deaths, forced 3,000,000 
     residents to evacuate their homes, left 1,000,000 people 
     without electricity (according to the National Climatic Data 
     Center), and caused flooding and tornadoes in the States of 
     Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama;
       Whereas damages from Hurricane Rita are estimated at 
     $11,300,000,000;
       Whereas in 2005, Hurricane Rita was the second hurricane to 
     reach Category 5 status in the Gulf of Mexico, making it only 
     the third time that more than one Category 5 storm had formed 
     in the Atlantic in the same year (according to the National 
     Climatic Data Center);
       Whereas the storm surge from Hurricane Rita was as high as 
     15 feet near the landfall site and according to the United 
     States Geological Survey traveled as far as 50 miles inland, 
     causing disastrous flooding and massive loss of property;
       Whereas tens of thousands of homes and businesses in 
     Louisiana and Texas were destroyed by the flooding; and
       Whereas the United States Geological Survey's National 
     Wetlands Center indicates that 217 square miles of 
     Louisiana's coastal lands were transformed to water after 
     Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) observes the fifth anniversary of the date on which 
     Hurricane Rita devastated the coasts of Louisiana and Texas;
       (2) expresses its support to the survivors of Hurricane 
     Rita and condolences to the families of its victims;
       (3) commends the courageous efforts of those who assisted 
     in the response to the storm and the recovery process;
       (4) recognizes the contributions of the communities in 
     Louisiana and Texas to the United States; and
       (5) reaffirms its commitment to rebuild, renew, and restore 
     the Gulf Coast region.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Mario Diaz-Balart) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and add any extraneous material on H. Res. 1583.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong 
support of H. Res. 1583, observing the fifth anniversary of Hurricane 
Rita.
  Hurricane Rita made landfall as a category 3 hurricane just east of 
the Texas and Louisiana border with wind speeds of 120 miles per hour 
unleashing devastating destruction.
  Hurricane Rita directly led to the deaths of at least seven people, 
left over 1 million people without electricity, and damaged or 
destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes. In addition to this 
devastation the storm caused in Texas and Louisiana, it also caused 
flooding and tornadoes in the States of Arkansas, Mississippi, and 
Louisiana. Total damages from the storm are estimated to be over $11 
billion.
  Hurricane Rita also led to one of the largest evacuations in United 
States history. Prior to making landfall, Hurricane Rita set a record 
as the most intense hurricane ever in the Gulf of Mexico. The storm 
also set a record for the most rapid intensification for any tropical 
cyclone, as it strengthened from a category 2 hurricane to a category 5 
hurricane in less than a day.
  All of these factors, coming less than a month after Hurricane 
Katrina, prompted 3 million residents to evacuate their homes. In many 
instances,

[[Page H6720]]

those who were evacuating from Hurricane Rita were displaced, having 
evacuated from Hurricane Katrina.
  The good news today is the gulf coast is coming back.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1583.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  This resolution recognizes the fifth anniversary of the devastation 
caused by Rita.
  Madam Speaker, as a Floridian, I understand the impact that storms 
like Rita have on individuals and families and on communities. It's so 
important that we do remember, that we do not forget.
  This resolution was introduced by Representative Boustany of 
Louisiana and is cosponsored by the entire Louisiana delegation. I want 
to thank the gentleman from Louisiana for his work on this resolution 
and, frankly, on all issues related to Louisiana's recovery from this 
disaster. He has been a great leader on issues for his State, and this 
is one more example of that.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, at this time I would 
like to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from 
Louisiana (Mr. Boustany), the sponsor of this resolution and a leader 
on these issues.
  Mr. BOUSTANY. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague from 
Florida for his kind words, and we share the same sentiments with 
regard to hurricanes, and we've both dealt with them. I appreciate his 
work as well and his leadership for the State of Florida.
  Madam Speaker, September 24 marks the fifth anniversary of Hurricane 
Rita's landfall in my southwest Louisiana district. This category 3 
storm came ashore with wind speeds of more than 120 miles per hour and 
115 feet of storm surge, causing an estimated $11.3 billion in damages, 
making it the third most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history.
  Hurricane Rita caused widespread destruction to our communities, 
fragile working wetlands, and critical energy infrastructure in 
Vermilion, Cameron, and Calcasieu Parishes.
  On a personal note, I'd like to thank all of my colleagues who 
traveled to southwest Louisiana in the months after the storm to 
witness firsthand the devastation and to offer assistance. I also want 
to thank Chairman Oberstar, Ranking Member Mica, and the committee 
staff, as well as the entire Transportation and Infrastructure 
Committee, who all worked with our delegation to help address some of 
the problems we faced in this storm's aftermath.
  In the past 5 years, I've worked hard to ensure that Rita is not the 
forgotten storm and to further assist in the region's recovery and 
building. I'm proud we have initiated the first-ever hurricane 
protection plan for southwest Louisiana and included provisions in the 
2007 WRDA bill to help expedite the Corps of Engineers' work to ensure 
projects are not delayed.
  Rita exposed the critical state of our coastal wetlands and the role 
they play in supporting the U.S. energy industry. These wetlands serve 
as a critical buffer against hurricanes and protect industries and 
cities located further inland. Before the 2005 storms, the projected 
land loss in Louisiana was 24 square miles per year. After Katrina and 
Rita, the national wetland center reported 217 square miles of 
Louisiana coastal lands were transformed to water.
  Protecting and strengthening our coasts is not only a Louisiana 
problem--it's an American problem. Families and businesses rely on the 
energy we produce in Louisiana and transport throughout the country 
each day. We were just starting to regain our way of life along the 
gulf coast, and Louisianans now face new challenges.
  The current moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico 
threatens good-paying jobs and our economic livelihood. This moratorium 
has idled 33 rigs and the workers on these platforms, and it's 
hampering south Louisiana's recovery. There are also thousands more 
support workers affected by this, including welders, electricians, 
mariners, caterers, and engineers, that aren't directly employed by the 
drilling operator.
  The ramifications of the deepwater moratorium and the de facto 
shallow water moratorium are being felt as layoffs have begun along the 
gulf coast. The same hardworking citizens who stayed in south Louisiana 
to rebuild their homes with their own hands after Hurricanes Katrina 
and Rita are now experiencing economic devastation.
  American energy production in the gulf can be done safely, and we 
need to work together to quickly implement improved safety standards to 
put gulf coast residents back to work delivering the energy that this 
Nation relies upon.
  Louisianans are resilient, and I'm proud to work with my community as 
we continue the long recovery process.
  Madam Speaker, I want to salute the dedicated first responders, 
volunteers, and professionals who offered assistance to those affected 
by the storm and recognize the progress southwest Louisiana has made in 
5 years of restoring and rebuilding our coastal communities.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, in the subcommittee 
that I am ranking member of, I've had the privilege of working with 
this next gentleman from Louisiana. He is, frankly, almost single-
handedly responsible for releasing billions of dollars that were stuck 
in the Federal bureaucracy that should have gone, and now are moving 
because of his efforts, to rebuild parts of Louisiana.
  And so at this moment, it is a privilege to yield 5 minutes to the 
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Cao).
  Mr. CAO. First of all, I want to thank my colleague and mentor from 
Florida for his tremendous support of me in the last 2 years, and I 
hope to continue working with him in the future.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1583 
offered by my good friend and colleague from Louisiana, Dr. Boustany.

                              {time}  1350

  House Resolution 1583 observes the fifth anniversary of the 
devastation and destruction caused by Hurricane Rita. On September 24, 
2005, Hurricane Rita made landfall along the Louisiana and Texas border 
as a category 3 hurricane. Rita's landfall was less than 1 month after 
Hurricane Katrina had ravaged multiple areas along the Gulf Coast, 
including in Louisiana's Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, which I 
represent.
  Following the heroic work of first responders, our Armed Forces, and 
countless volunteers in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans 
was unbelievably scheduled to reopen on September 19. Hurricane Rita's 
approach, however, made that impossible, and instead the city once 
again was vulnerable. Levees surrounding New Orleans were damaged 
extensively by Hurricane Katrina, and were far from repaired. Thousands 
of blue FEMA tarps remained atop roofs throughout the city, offering 
only provisional or temporary protection.
  On Friday, September 23, the day before Rita made landfall, her outer 
bands began raising water levels around New Orleans, and the patches on 
the Industrial Canal and the London Avenue Canal were unable to hold 
back the rising water. Once again, we were faced with the same flooding 
which had wreaked so much havoc less than a month before.
  New Orleans' Gentilly and Ninth Ward neighborhoods, two of the 
hardest hit by Katrina, were again flooded, and in some locations the 
waters rose to a depth of 8 feet. For many, this was a worst nightmare 
situation happening all over again.
  Hurricane Rita resulted in the death of seven individuals and forced 
the evacuation of 3 million Gulf Coast residents. It also cost an 
estimated $11.3 billion in damages. Madam Speaker, as the gulf coast 
continues its recovery from the recent devastating oil spill, I wish to 
remind us that only a city, State, and a region of great character and 
determination can rise from devastation to persevere and recover. And 
that is what we will do.
  On this anniversary, I offer my heartfelt sympathy to the families of 
the

[[Page H6721]]

victims of Hurricane Rita, and I offer my deepest thanks to those who 
assisted in the recovery process. I urge my colleagues to support House 
Resolution 1583, as a reconfirmation of this body's commitment to 
rebuild, renew, and restore the gulf coast region not only from 
Hurricane Rita, but also Hurricane Katrina.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 
1583, as amended, observing the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Rita. 
Hurricane Rita made landfall just east of the Texas-Louisiana Boarder 
as a category three hurricane on September 24, 2005. Hurricane Rita 
directly caused the deaths of at least seven people, damaged or 
destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes, and left over one million 
people without electricity. In addition to the devastation the storm 
caused in Louisiana and Texas, it also caused flooding and tornadoes in 
the States of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
  Before making landfall, Hurricane Rita was the second hurricane in 
2005 to become a category 5 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane 
Rita broke Hurricane Katrina's record as the most intense hurricane 
ever in the Gulf of Mexico. The storm also climbed from a category 2 to 
a category 5 storm in less than 24 hours with the fastest 
intensification of any tropical cyclone in history.
  Coming less than a month after Hurricane Katrina, this storm forced 
3,000,000 million residents to evacuate their homes. In many instances, 
those who were evacuating from Hurricane Rita were already evacuees 
displaced by Hurricane Katrina. We also witnessed the unfortunate 
deaths of 23 nursing home residents who perished when the bus 
evacuating them caught fire.
  As I have mentioned previously, since Hurricane Rita and the other 
storms of the 2005 hurricane season, the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure has passed legislation and held numerous hearings to 
improve not only the recovery from these storms, but also our nation's 
preparation for, response to, recovery from and mitigation of disasters 
from all hazards. These efforts continue on September 22, 2010, when 
the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and 
Emergency Management will hold a hearing entitled: ``Five Years after 
Katrina: Where We Are and What We Have Learned for Future Disasters.''
  Prior to the 2005 hurricane season, when our nation faced large or 
unusual disasters, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was 
quick to adapt and provide solutions to unique problems that would 
arise, often working with Congress on those solutions.
  However, by 2005, things were very different. FEMA was an agency 
within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and not an 
independent agency that reported directly to the President and 
Congress. As I have said previously, FEMA's performance as an agency 
has suffered since its inclusion in the Department of Homeland Security 
in 2003.
  Even long after the response to the 2005 hurricane season, the 
agency's placement in DHS had a detrimental effect on the residents of 
the Gulf Coast. There were delays in decision making, which delayed 
delivery of critical assistance to citizens. While things appear to be 
improving with the recovery in the Gulf Coast, this improvement was far 
too long in coming. I am still deeply concerned that, even with the new 
leadership at FEMA, if FEMA remains in DHS it will not be able to 
respond to future disasters in the manner the nation needs and expects.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1583.
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I have no further 
requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I have no further requests for 
time, I simply ask for support, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1583, as 
amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  The title was amended so as to read: ``Resolution observing the fifth 
anniversary of the date on which Hurricane Rita devastated the coasts 
of Louisiana and Texas, and for other purposes.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________