[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E63-E64]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES TO THE PEOPLE OF AUSTRALIA FOR THE LOSS OF LIFE 
AND DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY DUE TO THE WORST FLOODING IN HALF A CENTURY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 18, 2011

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
condolences for the loss of life and destruction of property that is 
occurring in Australia's northern state of Queensland, as a consequence 
of the worst floods in half a century. The flood, which has affected 
three-quarters of Queensland, has killed 20 residents and resulted in 
thousands of people being evacuated from their homes and businesses.
  The steady rain that fell for days before Christmas caused rivers to 
swell and inundated 22 cities and towns. The Australian National 
Climate Centre has predicted that the region is highly likely to 
receive even more than average rainfall from now until the end of 
March, when the full impact of a strong La Nina cycle will be felt. 
Estimates of the number of Queenslanders affected go as high as 
200,000. States of natural disaster have been declared in 41 of 
Queensland's 73 municipalities and more than 11,000 people have been 
evacuated. In addition, the floods have cut off food supplies to 
communities in the north including Townsville, Cairns and many 
indigenous communities.
  Economists predict that the floods will have an impact on the 
national GDP of between 0.25 percent and 0.5 percent, or $3 billion to 
$6 billion, with the mining and agricultural industries affected the 
most. Half of the state's agricultural crops have been destroyed, coal 
deliveries have been halted, and mines shut. The international economy 
will likely feel this economic burden because Queensland supplies half 
of the world's cooking coal for steel manufacturing, which accounts for 
about two-thirds of the global trade. The Premier of Queensland and 
Australia's Prime Minister have announced additional disaster relief 
assistance to help small businesses and primary producers that have 
been impacted.
  Encouragingly, the size of the tragedy has been matched by the size 
and speed of the response, but the long-term impact is yet to be 
determined. It will be a long wait before the massive amount of water 
recedes and the recovery process starts, involving the resurfacing of 
roads, reconnecting of power and repairing of infrastructure--all 
requiring an unparalleled rebuilding effort. I extend my sincere 
appreciation to the emergency service personnel, army and air force 
crews, volunteers, and Australia's federal and Queensland governments 
for their well coordinated response to this disaster. The loss suffered 
would have been far greater without the skill, dedication, compassion, 
and sacrifice of these emergency responders.
  Mr. Speaker, the flood in northern Australia is a major natural 
disaster and has caused

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loss and destruction on a catastrophic scale. I want to send a message 
of condolence to those Australian families who have lost lives and 
livelihoods. Australia is and always will be an important ally and 
friend to the United States. The Australian people will truly be in my 
thoughts and prayers over the coming weeks. I wish the affected 
communities the very best as they rebuild their lives and communities, 
and I encourage my colleagues to do so as well.

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