[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 18, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H3404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HAWAII DISASTER
(Ms. GABBARD asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute.)
Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, over the last several days, the people of
Hawaii have faced extreme and severe weather, heavily impacting the
communities of Waimanalo, east Oahu, and most heavily, the island of
Kauai.
Far too many people are living and struggling in chaos as a result of
record-breaking rain, flooding, and landslides that have completely
devastated communities, homes, and businesses. It has led to hundreds
of people being evacuated.
Many people are still struggling without water and electricity. They
are stranded, separated from their children and family members on
different parts of the island, and relying on airlifts from the Hawaii
National Guard for basic supplies. Time and again, our Kauai community
has come together, proven to be strong and resilient, mobilized to
support and take care of each other.
I want to say a big thank you to Mayor Carvalho, the Hawaii National
Guard, the Coast Guard, our first responders, organizations like the
Red Cross, churches, schools, and members of our community who have
stood up and taken action, leaders like: Joel Guy and Ryan Sebring;
Doug Phillips, who was running boats; Laird Hamilton, who was running
water rescue; Hanalei and the Takeshiros, who were running their Zodiac
up and down the Wainiha River; Malama Kawai, Mocu Chandler, Laura
Richards, and so many more.
I am looking forward to being on Kauai tomorrow to offer my support
to those who are helping provide relief to those most affected as our
delegation stands ready to help Kauai recover from this disaster.
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