[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 14, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H620-H621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HELP FOR THE SURVIVORS OF THE LAHAINA FIRE

  (Ms. TOKUDA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1

[[Page H621]]

minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. TOKUDA. Mr. Speaker, last week on Thursday I flew to Maui to be 
with our Lahaina ohana as we mark the 6-month anniversary of the fires.
  On Sunday, our hearts were full and our eyes were misty as we watched 
our Lunas do the coin toss at the Super Bowl.
  Just yesterday, Maui police confirmed the identity of the 101st 
victim, Mr. Paul Kasprzycki. He was 76 years old.
  It is a stark reminder of the pain and loss that our people feel and 
the roller coaster of emotions our community experiences every single 
day.
  According to a preliminary study of Maui's fire survivors released 
last week, 55 percent of people surveyed are exhibiting signs of 
depression.
  Survivors also report higher than average rates of low self-esteem 
and suicidal ideation. Our people are hurting.
  The reality is we can clear debris, we can rebuild our schools and 
reopen roads, but healing the pain and the trauma you can't see but 
people feel, that is much harder, which is why we need to hold wellness 
fairs and meet people where they are.
  We need to make sure that the work of our Federal public health 
officers are supported so they can be there for survivors and frontline 
workers.
  There is a mental health crisis ravaging our people now. All of us 
need to be there for them, and we must do everything we can to provide 
all of our survivors and disaster responders with the mental health 
care and support they need now. Mahalo.

                          ____________________