[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 13, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H4269-H4270]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE INDOMITABLE SPIRIT OF VIRGIN ISLANDERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
the Virgin Islands (Ms. Plaskett) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, as we mark the solemn sixth anniversary of 
Hurricanes Irma and Maria, I am reminded of the indomitable spirit of 
Virgin Islanders who faced these devastating Category 5 storms, and the 
invaluable support we received from Members of Congress who rallied to 
secure much-needed funding for our recovery.
  The impact of two twin Category 5 hurricanes unleased unprecedented 
destruction upon the Virgin Islands of the United States, leaving a 
trail of devastation that will be remembered for generations.
  September 6, 2017, witnessed the relentless fury of Hurricane Irma as 
it swept across our territory, carving a path of devastation that 
lingers in our collective memory. A mere fortnight later, Hurricane 
Maria descended upon our already devastated islands, compounding the 
damage exponentially.
  In the wake of these unparalleled catastrophes, the people of the 
U.S. Virgin Islands demonstrated incredible resilience and 
determination, while other places receiving such damage cried and 
wailed about what had happened to them. Virgin Islanders, as always, 
not believing that support would come, looked to one another.
  We came together to support one another, rebuild our communities, and 
lay the foundation for one more resilient future. The road to recovery 
has been long and arduous, but the spirit of Virgin Islanders remains 
unbroken, and the commitment to rebuilding stronger and more resilient 
persists.
  As we approach the exhaustion of FEMA disaster relief funding, we 
face an impending crisis. FEMA has announced the implementation of 
immediate needs funding due to the dwindling disaster relief fund. 
Under INF, immediate needs funding, new obligations for public 
assistance not essential for lifesaving and life-sustaining activities, 
permanent work, and the hazard mitigation grant program will be paused 
until the disaster relief funding is sufficiently supplied.
  Without FEMA funding, crucial programs such as public school 
reconstruction and essential services hang in the balance. Moreover, we 
are only 10 legislative days away from a government shutdown, with some 
of our colleagues more concerned about baseless political vendettas 
than the well-being of the American people.

  I implore my colleagues to rise above partisan extremes and deliver 
for the American people. The Biden-Harris administration has requested 
$16 billion in supplemental funding to replenish the disaster relief 
fund. This request

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should receive bipartisan support for disaster-impacted areas across 
the United States. It is crucial that we put the needs of our 
constituents first, prioritizing disaster relief over political 
bickering.
  I say to my Virgin Islands brothers and sisters, that opportunities 
are fragile and don't always come through for us. We have got to do 
what needs to be done to support our own rebuilding if Washington 
cannot.
  Mr. Speaker, I will continue to work on behalf of Virgin Islanders to 
assess the support needed for our ongoing rebuilding efforts. Together, 
we share the responsibility of ensuring that the U.S. Virgin Islands 
emerge from the twin tragedies stronger and more resilient.
  The opportunity before us is significant, and we must not let it slip 
away. Let us act swiftly to provide the necessary funding and support 
for all disaster-impacted areas across America to build a more 
resilient preparedness plan.
  Mr. Speaker, may we rise to this challenge with the strength and 
unity it demands, and may we, as Virgin Islanders, remain VI strong.

                          ____________________