[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 17]
[House]
[Pages 23825-23831]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



      SENSE OF CONGRESS IN SYMPATHY FOR VICTIMS OF HURRICANE FLOYD

  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 322) expressing the sense of the 
House of Representatives in sympathy for the victims of Hurricane 
Floyd, which struck numerous communities along the East Coast between 
September 14 and 17, 1999.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 322

       Whereas on September 16, 1999, Hurricane Floyd deposited up 
     to 18 inches of rain on sections of North Carolina only days 
     after the damaging rains of Hurricane Dennis;
       Whereas Hurricane Floyd continued up the eastern seaboard, 
     causing flooding and tornadoes in Virginia, Maryland, 
     Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut;
       Whereas Hurricane Floyd is responsible for 66 known deaths, 
     including 48 confirmed dead in North Carolina alone, as well 
     as 3 in New Jersey, 2 in New York, 6 in Pennsylvania, 4 in 
     Virginia, 2 in Delaware, and 1 in Vermont;
       Whereas hundreds of roads along the eastern seaboard remain 
     closed as a result of damage caused by Hurricane Floyd;
       Whereas waters contaminated by millions of gallons of 
     bacteria, raw sewage, and animal waste have flowed into 
     homes, businesses, and drinking water supplies due to septic, 
     pipeline, and water treatment system damage caused by the 
     flooding associated with Hurricane Floyd, a situation that 
     poses considerable health risks for individuals and families 
     in affected States;
       Whereas areas in 10 States were declared Federal disaster 
     areas as a result of Hurricane Floyd--Connecticut, Delaware, 
     Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, 
     Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia;
       Whereas individuals registering for Federal assistance in 
     States hit by Hurricane Floyd totalled 68,440 as of September 
     26, 1999, with 39,265 in North Carolina, 11,121 in New 
     Jersey, 4,582 in New York, 3,222 in South Carolina, 3,153 in 
     Virginia, 371 in Delaware, 6,479 in Pennsylvania, 173 in 
     Connecticut, and 74 in Maryland;
       Whereas thousands of individuals and families have been 
     displaced from their homes and are now taking refuge in 
     temporary housing or shelters;
       Whereas over $2 million in temporary housing grants have 
     been issued in New York and New Jersey and the residential 
     loss estimates are over $80 million in North Carolina alone; 
     and
       Whereas the nature of this disaster deserves the immediate 
     attention and support of the Federal Government: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) expresses its deepest sympathies to everyone who 
     suffered as a result of Hurricane Floyd; and
       (2) pledges its support to continue to work on their behalf 
     to restore normalcy to their lives and to renew their spirits 
     by helping them recover, rebuild, and reconstruct.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Franks) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Traficant) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Franks).
  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  In communities up and down the East Coast, including many in my own 
congressional district, Hurricane Floyd left a path of unprecedented 
destruction, hardship, and tragedy. It has been more than 3 weeks since 
the storm hit, and still thousands of families are unable to return to 
their homes. In communities throughout our area, downtowns have become 
ghost towns.
  Several of the towns I represent have suffered through floods before, 
but past storms were nothing in comparison to what happened on the 
evening of September 16. In the small community of Bound Brook, New 
Jersey, flood waters as high as 12 feet turned the downtown business 
area and surrounding neighborhoods into a raging sea of water. 
Residents had to be rescued by boats from trees as well as rooftops. 
Tragically, two people were unable to escape and died. In the 
neighboring community of Manville, the town literally became an island. 
The only way to get outside assistance into the flood-ravaged community 
was by helicopter.
  In the days following the flooding, I toured the hardest hit 
communities and talked to the homeowners and businesses who had lost 
their life savings in a sudden surge of floodwater. We all need, Mr. 
Speaker, to extend a heartfelt thanks to the Red Cross, the rescue 
squads, the police departments, the fire departments, the National 
Guard, and the tens of thousands who volunteered their time to come to 
the aid of their neighbors in need.
  In the midst of all the destruction, the flood victims found comfort 
in the compassion and generosity of strangers

[[Page 23826]]

who held their hands, gave them a blanket or dry clothes to wear, 
cooked them a hot meal and gave them a roof over their heads. The road 
to recovery will be a long one for many of the flood's victims. Some 
may never be able to return to their homes. Others will have to wait 
for months before extensive repairs are made.
  Today, we in Congress can do more than just express our deepest 
sympathies to the victims of Hurricane Floyd. We can pledge to do 
everything in our power to help them get back on their feet, rebuild 
and recover from their losses and restore their faith in the future.
  Later this week, I will be joining with colleagues from across the 
East Coast in calling for the expansion of the current disaster aid 
program to address one significant unmet need. Our legislation would 
extend disaster aid grants to small businesses as well as to 
homeowners. Without this modest level of assistance, the heart of our 
communities, our small businesses, may never reopen.

                              {time}  1115

  We cannot allow Floyd or any other natural disaster to decimate a 
vitally important part of the United States, our small businesses.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope our colleagues will join us in supporting this 
effort to help businesses, families, and communities fully recover from 
the devastation of Hurricane Floyd.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to 
the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton).
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio for 
yielding this time to me, and I thank the gentleman from New Jersey 
(Mr. Franks) for cosponsoring this and providing the leadership for 
this particular bill.
  Mr. Speaker, approximately 52,000 North Carolina citizens have called 
the FEMA telephone in-take line seeking assistance as a result of 
Hurricane Floyd. At the peak of the disaster more than 48,000 squeezed 
in make-shift shelters. Some 3 weeks after Hurricane Floyd struck, 
hundreds in North Carolina remained in temporary shelters. Emergency 
housing is needed. Home repair and replacement is a priority. Essential 
property has been lost. Many are out of jobs. Despair and hopelessness 
is setting in.
  Imagine, if you will, Mr. Speaker, doing without the necessities all 
of us take for granted. Imagine fighting for a cot to sleep on in a 
strange shelter at night. Imagine waking in the morning without lights 
or running water, standing in line for food, clothing and drinking 
water. Imagine being lost in a tunnel with no end in sight. More than 
anything, the victims of Hurricane Floyd now need hope.
  Imagine, Mr. Speaker, life as you have known it being swept away by 
rapid and rushing waters, unprecedented, unanticipated, and 
unforgiving. When Hurricane Floyd hit North Carolina, towns became 
rivers, and rivers became towns. Infrastructures built over lifetimes 
was destroyed. Losses that currently reach into the millions of dollars 
have been documented, and the numbers are growing.
  More than 650 roads were impassable due to the flooding, and at least 
10 bridges are severely damaged, and many more are structurally 
damaged. At the height of the flooding, Interstate 95, the roadway to 
Disneyland, was shut down. At least 600 pipelines were damaged. 
Electricity losses are nearly $100 million and growing. Millions in 
revenue has been lost. 1.2 million persons lost power due to the storm. 
Drinking water and wastewater treatment systems sustained untold 
damage. Bacteria, nitrates and other pollutants have contaminated many 
wells. Septic tanks are nonfunctional and due to the high water table 
will not be functional for some time.
  Agricultural losses compounding previous losses from the drought and 
economic downturns and other natural calamities have reached close to 
$1.5 billion, and the number is growing. Small-farm life is seriously 
threatened in North Carolina. We have millions of dollars in forestry 
losses, unknown losses to homes of thousands, unknown losses of jobs 
because thousands of businesses were flooded, many ruined, and 
thousands have lost income entirely.
  Thirty-one North Carolina counties were declared disasters in the 
wake of Hurricane Floyd. Fourteen of my 20 counties suffered severe 
flooding. Small towns, unincorporated municipalities, medium-sized 
cities like Pinetops, Trenton, Dodge Place, Kinston, Tarboro, Rocky 
Mount, Wilson, Greenville were substantially flooded. In Princeville, a 
town founded at the end of the Civil War by newly freed slaves, every 
business, every church, nearly every home and school has been 
destroyed. Mr. Speaker, the entire town has been destroyed. Fish and 
shellfish losses are countless; and if things could not be worse, there 
are millions of gallons of raw sewage and animal wastes. Contaminated 
waters have flowed into our water system. Disease-carrying insects, 
bugs, and rodent activity is on the rise.
  Mr. Speaker, Hurricane Floyd left in its wake the worst flooding in 
the history of the State of North Carolina. Yet despite all the misery, 
there are bright spots. Many of the schools that were closed, opened 
yesterday. Thousands of students who had not been in school since 
September 15 were able to return. Help has come from thousands, and I 
recognized some of them during my last night's special order.
  The sun is rising, the rivers are cresting, and the water is 
receding. The devastation of Hurricane Floyd will one day become 
history. It will become a mere memory in the minds of those who are 
suffering now through it. Possessions will once again be collected. 
North Carolina will rebuild, restore, and recover; but it is imperative 
that more help is provided by our Federal Government.
  This resolution, Mr. Speaker, offers hope, and for that help I urge 
its adoption.
  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes).
  Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for 
bringing this resolution to the floor, thank the gentlewoman from North 
Carolina for her commitment and energy in providing much needed help, 
and to all our delegation and Members up and down the East Coast who 
are affected, I am here today to speak on behalf of the many victims of 
Hurricane Floyd in North Carolina and also tornado victims in Stanley 
and Anson County who are looking to us for help.
  As a member of the North Carolina delegation, I am going to work hard 
to make sure their needs are met, but I want to point out, Mr. Speaker, 
that one way we can assist the many people who are in distress in North 
Carolina is to not use the Federal Government to wipe out their local 
economy.
  Mr. Speaker, the President went to eastern North Carolina recently 
and told farmers that he feels their pain, and he pledged his support 
in the wake of this disaster. However, as soon as he returned to 
Washington, we learned that he had instructed the Justice Department to 
do its best to wipe them all out with a Federal lawsuit. Mr. Speaker, 
the ultimate loser in this process will be the tobacco farmers, their 
families, workers and manufacturing facilities and others who work 
long, hard days to put food on the table and provide for their 
families. The fact that the administration has chosen to launch this 
action in the wake of a devastating natural disaster might be comical 
were it not so tragic.
  Mr. Speaker, members of the North Carolina delegation and I have sent 
a letter and personally contacted the President asking him to 
reconsider his plan and drop this lawsuit against the very people we 
are here to express sympathy for today. I hope other Members of this 
body will join us in this effort to not penalize victims with an 
additional Federal lawsuit.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Indiana (Ms. Carson).
  Ms. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the honorable gentleman from Ohio 
for

[[Page 23827]]

yielding me this time; and, Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this 
resolution. We, the people of the United States, in order to form a 
more perfect union must provide for the general welfare of the people, 
the people in the Carolinas who have been devastated. I recognize the 
pain of the people who live there, who are affected by it on 
television. I saw where the waters had washed up the graves, and 
caskets were floating down the rivers, and saw where the hogs were on 
top of roofs trying to preserve what little life there was among the 
cattle.
  America is busy doing things around the world. America needs to focus 
her attention on North Carolina and swiftly and surely, that the people 
in the Carolinas who have been affected so in such a devastating way by 
Hurricane Floyd get the kind of help and relief that they need 
expeditiously. I am willing to help; I know that most Members of 
Congress are willing to help. They need shelter, and I think that the 
apparatus we have in place like FEMA and all of these other disaster 
agencies that are in existence at this time in this country need to 
focus its full attention on North Carolina and ensure that relief is 
posthaste on behalf of those American citizens that we are here to 
represent.
  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Myrick).
  Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for 
yielding me time; and, being from North Carolina, I of course am very 
much aware of the need there, but I think everybody in this country has 
seen the horrible devastation that has taken place.
  As my colleagues know, we have so far done a good job relative to the 
disaster-relief part of this effort. The Federal Government has stepped 
in; FEMA, they have done a good job; the State government has done a 
magnificent job in meeting the immediate needs of the people. But now 
we move into a separate phase in this recovery effort.
  Recovery is different than the immediate relief because we are 
talking long term. People have got to have a place to live. They need 
their homes rebuilt. They need their jobs again. And all of this is 
going to take place with the help of a lot of people across America 
because Government will do their job; we in the North Carolina 
delegation will see that everything possible is done from the 
government side. But then we have also got to have the help of all the 
people in this country who are willing not only to step up with 
dollars, but to step up with volunteer time. Who will come into North 
Carolina and help these people have some hope again, have a home in 
which to live?
  I mean, think about it. One may have a home that has been destroyed 
in this flood, and then it has to be condemned because of the hog waste 
and the human waste and the gasoline and everything else. So, one had a 
mortgage on that home, they had no insurance because maybe they lived 
in the 500-year flood plain. They did not think they needed insurance. 
And all of a sudden here they are, no home, no insurance, a mortgage to 
pay, nowhere to go, maybe no job.
  So I implore all the people across America, please come help us as a 
volunteer in North Carolina to give these people hope and to rebuild.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Rothman).
  Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio for 
yielding this time to me. I want to thank my colleague from New Jersey 
(Mr. Franks) for his leadership on this issue, and I urge all my 
colleagues to support House Resolution 322.
  Over the past several weeks the people of northern New Jersey have 
learned what many victims of disaster have already learned, that 
rebuilding lives can be a long and painful process and that the Federal 
Government needs to be there to help them in their time of need.
  My heart goes out to the people of my district and to North Carolina 
and around the country who have suffered so grievously given this 
natural disaster. From the Hackensack to the Saddle Brook to the 
Pasaic, the rains that spilled the waters of New Jersey's rivers onto 
our communities caused tremendous damage, heartache, and loss. Memories 
that were encased in family heirlooms and photographs and other 
priceless possessions were lost. In addition to the hundreds of 
thousands of dollars, millions of dollars in communities that were lost 
when the rains swept away literally a lifetime of savings and 
investment.
  For the people of my district the effects of this disaster will 
continue to be felt for weeks, months, and years to come. I have been 
encouraged by the quick response of FEMA, the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency. Within hours teams arrived in New Jersey to start 
the difficult process of assessing the full extent of the damage and 
providing assistance.

                              {time}  1130

  I also want to commend New Jersey's volunteers and those 
professionals, the police, fire, first-aid, emergency response 
personnel, phone, gas and electric company workers, local elected 
officials and all the volunteers who did such an outstanding job during 
the flooding and its aftermath to help their neighbors. These heroic 
men and women put their lives on the line many, many times, and made 
many, many sacrifices to help the people of our region.
  But now that the winds and rains have subsided from Hurricane Floyd, 
the Federal Government must be there. People debate whether there is a 
role for government. Well, there surely is a role for the Federal 
Government in the case of a natural disaster no one could have 
predicted. And in New Jersey, where we are the second lowest in terms 
of returning dollars from Washington, we send our tax dollars to 
Washington and we are the 49th State, almost the lowest ranking, to get 
money back from Washington.
  This is now when we need Congress' help. This is now when we need 
some of our Federal dollars back to us in New Jersey. I urge all my 
colleagues to support those efforts and to support House Resolution 
322.
  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend for 
yielding me time, and I congratulate him on offering this important 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, as we all know, on September 16, Hurricane Floyd took an 
unexpected turn after ravaging North Carolina and Virginia and crashed 
into central and northern New Jersey. The State's capital county, 
Mercer County, along with eight others, were declared major disaster 
areas, and, as my colleagues know, such a declaration does trigger the 
release of Federal expertise and funds to help people recover from 
Hurricane Floyd.
  To date, over 12,000 New Jersey residents have applied for assistance 
through FEMA. In the short term, we are looking for immediate relief 
for those who have been devastated, with loans and small grants; and, 
in the long term, we will be requesting FEMA's help for extensive 
mitigation projects to protect family and businesses in flood-prone 
areas such as in the City of Trenton and the Township of Hamilton.
  I would just point out for the record, Mr. Speaker, that as a result 
of that hurricane, in the City of Trenton alone, 40 homes were 
completely devastated and 25 businesses completely flooded; and each of 
those people are looking for some help and some assistance.
  When disaster strikes, as we all know, the U.S. Small Business 
Administration acts as the Federal Government's disaster bank. The SBA 
has three types of low interest loans. Approximately 3.6 percent is the 
rate, for 30 years, available to qualified homeowners and non-farm 
businesses of all sizes. These loans include homeowner loans up to 
$200,000 to cover residential losses not fully compensated by 
insurance.

[[Page 23828]]

  Homeowners and renters may also borrow up to $40,000 to repair/
replace personal property such as clothing, property, and cars; nonfarm 
businesses of any size and nonprofit organizations may apply for up to 
$1.5 million to repair or to replace assets like inventory or machinery 
or equipment damaged by the disaster; and small businesses that suffer 
economic losses may apply for SBA's economic injury disaster loans.
  Mr. Speaker, beyond the individual SBA loans, FEMA has a Hazard 
Mitigation Program to fund construction projects to protect either 
public or private property; and we will be pursuing that very 
aggressively as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I just want to make one final point. When FEMA arrives 
on the scene, sometimes people feel that the cavalry has arrived and 
everything is going to be made whole. But FEMA is not a panacea. It 
provides a bridge, helps people get back on their feet, but the 
devastating losses that our friends throughout the country on the East 
Coast especially have experienced will not be fully compensated for, 
but we have to do the maximum effort to make sure they are back on 
their feet and their families are protected for the future through 
mitigation efforts.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McIntyre.)
  Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from North 
Carolina (Mrs. Clayton) and my other North Carolina colleagues on both 
sides of the aisle for bringing this resolution to the floor. The 
flooding with Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd is unprecedented in the 
history of North Carolina. This disaster met or exceeded the 500-year 
floodplain for many communities, and 500 years is before settlers had 
even arrived here in our country.
  While the economic losses have been enormous, it cannot touch upon 
the loss of life that so many fellow Tar Heels have suffered. Hurricane 
Floyd resulted in 48 confirmed fatalities, and this figure could still 
rise as search and rescue teams continue to reach isolated communities 
and flooded homes, cars, and businesses.
  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said that noble souls, through dust 
and heat, rise from disaster and defeat, the stronger.
  Indeed, nature's actions have tested our patience, our souls, our 
will, but we should not break our resolve to recover from this horrific 
event. We will be stronger, now, more than ever, if we work with the 
sense of community.
  After all, what are we here for? This is the People's House. Our 
first duty is to help the people of this country. If during this time 
of crisis, we cannot reach out to our countrymen and women, our 
children, our senior citizens, we do not have a future. Many of them do 
not even have today, if we do not unite together, reach across the 
aisle, not only in our expression of sympathy, but our expression of 
desire to help. That is our duty. That is our calling as the people who 
have been elected here to serve the people in this Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that every one of our colleagues join us in 
expressing our deepest sympathy to those individuals and families who 
have lost loved ones and lost property. I want to thank all my 
colleagues on both sides of the aisle for standing together as we reach 
those who need help at life's most desperate hour.
  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Kelly).
  Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the 
resolution offered by my colleague from New Jersey. Throughout our 
history, Americans have always distinguished themselves and our Nation 
through their ability to persevere through trying times. This ability 
must be attributed in large measure to the faith that we have always 
had in our neighbors, in our fellow citizens, to help in times of need. 
The efforts of assistance, not only by those in government but also by 
those who simply cared, to the victims of Hurricane Floyd certainly 
stands in validation of this faith.
  Having worked very closely with representatives of FEMA in New York 
State, New York State's Emergency Management Office and its 
extraordinary Director, Edward Jacoby, the Small Business 
Administration, and many of the fire departments, town supervisors and 
sheriff and police departments as we tried to clean up and understand 
the enormous devastation that hit my district, I know firsthand their 
selfless devotion and caring work to help people whose lives have been 
diminished by the fury of this hurricane.
  Though lives have been lost and communities damaged and disrupted, 
the effort to recover and rebuild has generated a sense in many that 
better days will lie ahead.
  So we rise today to reaffirm our fellowship to those affected by 
Hurricane Floyd. This House extends to these victims our sympathy and 
our continued commitment to assisting them as they work to rebuild 
their lives and their communities.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge).
  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman and ranking 
member for bringing this resolution to the floor, and the gentlewoman 
from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton) and the other members of our 
delegation for working on it.
  This expression of sympathy for the victims of this storm is an 
important symbol that expresses collectively many of our personal 
thoughts and prayers. And so many have shown genuine sympathy towards 
those injured and killed by the most destructive natural disaster to 
ever hit my home State of North Carolina.
  Let me say from the outset, I am aware and sympathetic to those 
affected by the hurricane beyond the borders of North Carolina. My 
thoughts and prayers are also with you. But, folks, I have seen the 
suffering in my home State firsthand, and the word ``devastating'' just 
does not do it justice.
  It is devastating when you lose your job. Those people in many cases 
have lost everything they own, everything they ever knew. They have 
lost more than their jobs. They have lost their possessions, their 
homes, their clothing, those sentimental items that we rarely think 
about until they are gone, wedding photographs, military awards, a 
child's first report card, love letters, and, for at least 48 families, 
a loved one. So much lost, washed away in the flooding not seen in our 
State in all of recorded history.
  In some places entire towns, roads, infrastructure, schools, 
businesses will have to be rebuilt from scratch. Farmers have lost 
their crops and have suffered great to their barns, their homes and 
their equipment. These farmers were already toiling under the worst 
economic disaster prior to this flooding, and now they have been 
slammed by a storm.
  The people who barely escaped the rushing floodwaters with their 
clothes on their back hailed from some of the poorest areas in the 
entire country. Some have said this storm will set back some parts of 
eastern North Carolina as much as 50 years.
  No, ``devastating'' does not do this storm justice. Hurricane Floyd 
has been a catastrophe of the highest order.
  But, folks, in every storm there is a silver lining. If this storm 
has proven anything, it has proven the determination, the resolve and 
the indomitable spirit of the people of North Carolina. Our people come 
by the name ``Tar Heels'' honestly, because they stand in the face of 
adversity, and today they are facing this adversity, but we need the 
help of this Congress and the people of America.
  If something knocks us down, we get right back up to fight another 
day. And that's what is happening all over North Carolina. People are 
pulling themselves up by the bootstraps and putting their lives back 
together. Neighbors are helping neighbors. People all over North 
Carolina and around the country are making donations, sending food and 
supplies and providing their letters and prayers of support.
  I personally have felt great sadness at the suffering that has since 
Hurricane Floyd wreaked havoc on my state. However, I have

[[Page 23829]]

also been inspired by the determination our people have shown as they 
struggle to survive. I have never been more proud to be a North 
Carolinian than I am today. Representing the hard-working, God-fearing 
and Floyd-surviving people of my district in Congress is one of the 
greatest honors of my life. The people of North Carolina will survive, 
as will all those that have been affected by this catastrophic storm. 
Please join me in expressing sympathy for the victims of Hurricane 
Floyd by passing this resolution unanimously. And then let us pledge to 
work together to pass a supplemental disaster relief package for the 
victims of Floyd that will help all the victims get back on their feet 
and that will bring honor and distinction on the United States 
Congress. And please keep the victims of this unprecedented disaster in 
your thoughts and prayers in the weeks ahead.
  Mr. FRANK of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones).
  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
New Jersey as well as the gentlewoman from North Carolina for 
introducing this resolution.
  I must say, as many of my colleagues from North Carolina and also 
from New Jersey and Virginia and elsewhere have said, that this is 
probably one of the worst natural disasters that we have seen, 
certainly in my State, and I cannot speak for New Jersey and Virginia. 
But when you have a gentleman from the State of Maryland who was a 
volunteer during America's help in Turkey with the earthquake, and he 
comes back and he goes down to eastern North Carolina and he is quoted 
in the paper as saying that it reminded him of the Third World, that 
maybe tells you better than what I can say just how bad things are in 
eastern North Carolina.
  But I will tell you that the resolve of the people in North Carolina 
and the people of eastern North Carolina is such that when they have 
been devastated by this natural disaster, they have come together and 
they take care of their brothers and sisters, as the Bible says, and I 
can assure you that the outpouring of help, not just sympathy, but help 
that has come from people within the State of North Carolina, as well 
as from all over America, is just what America is about. When people 
are hurting and when people are in need, we as Americans come to each 
other's aid. That is what makes this country what it is today.
  I want to also say that FEMA I think has done an excellent job. It is 
a tough job. When you have people that are frustrated and stressed and 
have lost so much, and they are anxious for help, I do want to say that 
I think FEMA has done an excellent job. Certainly they are overwhelmed 
by this disaster, but, again, they are doing their very best to help 
the American taxpayer and the citizens of eastern North Carolina, as 
well as Virginia and New Jersey.
  I do want to say, Mr. Speaker, that when farmers and business owners 
and individuals have lost everything, then, as I said earlier today in 
a morning speech, I think sometimes that we need to reconsider foreign 
aid. We need to reconsider, that the American taxpayer, the American 
that has been hurt, should come first.
  In closing, I know that this Congress will do everything within its 
power to help its neighbors in North Carolina, as well as New Jersey 
and Virginia.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the very 
distinguished gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Watt).
  Mr. WATT of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, if you live in a 5-year 
floodplain or a 10-year floodplain or even a 25-year floodplain, you 
can reasonably expect to have a flood every 5 years, every 10 years, 
every 25 years. But when you live in a 500-year floodplain, you cannot 
prepare for it. You do not buy insurance for a disaster that occurs 
every 500 years.

                              {time}  1145

  This is what has happened in North Carolina. People have been hit by 
an incident that can reasonably be expected never to occur again in our 
lifetimes, not again for 500 years. So we need the kind of response in 
this body to an incident and in a way that demonstrates that we are 
responding once every 500 years.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank these colleagues for bringing this 
resolution to the floor, and talk about the resolution for a little 
bit.
  The resolution is three pages long. Most of the first two pages talk 
about the devastation that has occurred. I want my colleagues to zero 
in on the last four lines of this resolution, because that is where we 
make our 500-year commitment to these people.
  It says that we pledge to support to continue to work on the people's 
behalf to restore normalcy to their lives, and to renew their spirits 
by helping them to recover, rebuild, and reconstruct.
  Now, we can express all the sympathy that we want to, and that is 
important in this context. But this is the four lines that we make our 
commitment in, and it would be a mistake for any of my colleagues to 
come and support this resolution simply out of a political motivation 
to get some brownie points if they are not serious about living up to 
the last four lines of the resolution.
  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Fowler).
  Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this very 
important resolution. As many of my colleagues know, I have over 100 
miles of coastline in my Florida district. This makes us very 
susceptible to hurricanes like Floyd.
  I never thought I would say that we were lucky to have category 1 
hurricane force winds, but we were. However, Hurricane Floyd did cause 
substantial damage to the coast of Florida, enough to warrant a 
presidential disaster declaration. My thoughts and prayers are with all 
of those who are now struggling with rebuilding their homes and 
businesses. I am confident, however, if that same community spirit in 
the midst of this disaster continues through this rebuilding, we will 
all end up with stronger and better communities.
  I want to particularly commend FEMA and the State and local and 
volunteer emergency management organizations that did such an excellent 
job in aiding our communities during this disaster, and are continuing 
to aid us as we rebuild.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne).
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in 
supporting today's resolution, and commend the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Franks) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. 
Clayton) for House Resolution 322, expressing sympathy for the victims 
of Hurricane Floyd.
  We can all imagine how tragic and terrible and disheartening it must 
be to lose the very basics of life, to see your home and all your 
possessions lost because of uncontrollable acts of nature. In the wake 
of the havoc wreaked by Hurricane Floyd, however, there has been a 
silver lining. That is that people have been drawn together in a spirit 
of humanitarian concern as thousands of volunteers from churches and 
community organizations have come forward to offer assistance to those 
who are facing hurricane-related hardships. They have provided shelter 
and food and clothing, and most importantly, moral support during this 
time of crisis.
  In my home county of Essex, we have had a serious problem with 
flooding and malfunctioning traffic lights which has endangered public 
safety. Fortunately, everyone pulled together with Federal and State 
support. We have been able to begin rebuilding and repairing the damage 
caused by Hurricane Floyd.
  I am pleased that President Clinton responded favorably to the 
request by New Jersey and other States affected by the hurricane to be 
designated Federal disaster areas so we can obtain much needed relief 
from FEMA and other Federal agencies.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, I want to extend my sympathy to the victims of 
Hurricane Floyd all across the Atlantic East Coast who have been 
displaced from their homes or who have lost loved ones. They remain in 
our thoughts and

[[Page 23830]]

in our prayers, and we will continue to offer our full assistance as 
the task of rebuilding gets underway.
  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble).
  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to 
me.
  Mr. Speaker, my district, which is located in inland North Carolina, 
was spared this very, very dreadful disease which now plagues eastern 
North Carolina. But even though we were spared, every time I go home, 
groups come to me and say, we cannot do enough for those victims down 
east, and also in New Jersey, but they are talking primarily about 
North Carolina.
  I called on an old law school friend of mine from Rocky Mount, which 
is also inland, Mr. Speaker, just to inquire as to how things are 
progressing. He said, you cannot imagine how bad it is until you come 
to see it. He said, the television portrayals really do not bring you 
up to speed.
  I guess about the only bright spot, Mr. Speaker, has been the East 
Carolina University football team. They played South Carolina. They 
could not return to their home in Greenville because the campus was 
under water. North Carolina State, which is their arch rival, loaned 
their stadium to them. There were signs, I noticed, in the East 
Carolina contingency thanking State, which is quite a landmark, the way 
those two schools battled each other football-wise. But East Carolina 
won that game and defeated Miami.
  An account in the largest newspaper in my district gave a detailed 
report of the game, but the focus was on the flood and the people from 
East Carolina who drove the back roads to get to Raleigh just to escape 
the flood.
  The concluding line of the story was that, oh, incidentally, East 
Carolina won the football game. But it was incidental, because keeping 
things in perspective, the news that day was the flood and how those 
people gathered in that parking lot in Raleigh to hold hands, to laugh, 
and to cry.
  I thank those in this body who are concerned about them, those who 
are empathizing and sympathizing with the people who have suffered 
through this disease that plagues North Carolina.
  A friend said, Howard, they do not need loans, they need grants. I 
concur. I hope we can come forward quickly and come to the aid of those 
people who desperately need it.
  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman).
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to 
me.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Franks) and the gentlewoman from North 
Carolina (Mrs. Clayton) for coming together with all of our colleagues 
from New York and New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina to bring 
this timely resolution to the floor.
  This bipartisan measure represents the tragedy each of us have 
observed and experienced in our own congressional districts, and 
reflects the sorrow we feel for the thousands of individuals, families, 
businesses, and communities who continue to struggle in the wake of 
Hurricane Floyd.
  Between September 14 and September 17, Hurricane Floyd struck 
countless communities along the East Coast, devastating homes and 
businesses. Responsible for at least 66 known deaths and millions of 
dollars in property and infrastructure damage, Hurricane Floyd is one 
of the most destructive natural disasters in the history of our Nation.
  Accordingly, we have all joined together in introducing House 
Resolution 322, a resolution expressing the deepest sympathy for the 
victims of the hurricane, and pledging our support to continue to work 
on their behalf to restore normalcy to their lives and renew their 
spirits.
  Mr. Speaker, the effects of Hurricane Floyd are continuing to have 
devastating affects on the State of New York. Numerous municipalities 
have sustained significant damage from flooding, power outages, and 
loss of vital public services. Rising waters forced individuals to 
leave their homes throughout our region, and particularly after the dam 
at Hyenga Lake burst, portions of the town of the Clarkstown in the 
State of New York were evacuated.
  Presently the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business 
Administration, New York State Emergency Management Office, are working 
together to provide our injured communities with information, supplies, 
funding, and peace of mind. We commend them for their vital assistance.
  However, the true heroes in this disaster are the people and their 
will to prevail. Citizens throughout the New York counties of Orange, 
Rockland, and Westchester are working together to overcome this 
tragedy. It is amazing to see how our communities have rallied around 
each other to rebuild their broken communities.
  Hurricane Floyd was one of the worst disasters in our Nation's 
history. The Congress has the duty to recognize the challenges people 
engulfed in this tragedy are facing, and we must work together, as they 
have, to ensure our Federal agencies have the necessary support they 
require to deal with the level of disaster.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton).
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to 
me.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I just want to thank all who have expressed 
their sympathy, and want to reemphasize the point that the gentleman 
from North Carolina (Mr. Watt) made; that, one, to empathize is also to 
support, not just to sympathize. This has been a mammoth, an enormous 
disaster. There has been none, I am told, in the history of this 
magnitude for floods in the United States, and never this devastation 
in North Carolina. Therefore, the response has to be accordingly.
  Americans are at their best in disasters. I can tell the Members, if 
there is any redeeming grace out of this horrific loss, it has to be 
the generosity of the American people, neighbors helping neighbors.
  Equally challenging, however, will be our governments collectively 
coming together and making the kind of response that is necessary, not 
for people to recover, but, indeed, for people to rebuild and for 
communities to be restored.
  Again, I urge the support of Members and call for a vote.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I agree with the gentlemen from North Carolina, Mr. Watt 
and Mr. Coble, sympathy is not enough. The Congress must help. This was 
a grave disaster. The carcasses of dead animals are still afloat in 
North Carolina. It is time for Congress to act.
  I want to commend FEMA for a fine job, State and local governments 
for all the good work they are doing, and all the charitable and civic 
organizations and all the people of America for reaching out to help.
  But I want to make this statement to all of the impacted citizens who 
experienced this great disaster. After the crisis is over and the media 
packs its bags and they desert, and we do not see it on the news 
anymore, the people despair and think maybe they have been forgotten. 
This is the time for the resolution, because it says the Nation has not 
forgotten, and more importantly, the Congress of the United States has 
not forgotten, and will help all of those impacted upon by this great 
disaster.
  I want to commend the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton), 
the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Franks), and urge everybody in this 
body to vote for this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution which 
expresses sympathy for the victims of Hurricane Floyd.
  Hurricane Floyd dumped 20 inches of rain onto North Carolina alone. 
In fact, parts of North Carolina received nearly three feet of rain in 
September.
  This resulted in the worst flooding in North Carolina history and the 
start of a recovery process that could take months, if not years, to 
complete.

[[Page 23831]]

  In North Carolina, flood waters have destroyed or heavily damaged 
3,000 homes and forced 42,500 people to apply for state and federal 
assistance.
  When the waters finally subside, Floyd is expected to be the most 
expensive natural disaster in North Carolina history, topping the $6 
billion price tag from 1996's Hurricane Fran.
  FEMA already has approved more than $4.3 million in direct aid to 
those affected by Floyd, and insurance companies are extending premium 
due dates an additional 60 days because so many are unable to return to 
their homes.
  At least 1,500 people remain in shelters, spending nights huddled in 
sleeping bags and days monitoring media reports on the flooding. The 
American Red Cross has served hundreds of thousands of meals since 
evacuations for Floyd began, and the organization expects to remain in 
the region for months to come.
  Panicked residents who have lost everything and have watched the 
media pack up and leave are afraid the Nation has lost interest in 
their problems.
  This resolution is timely, Mr. Speaker, because it sends a message to 
the victims of Hurricane Floyd that the Nation has not forgotten them, 
and the Congress of the United States will make sure they get the aid 
and assistance necessary to rebuild their lives.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina 
(Mrs. Clayton), Members from the region, Members from both sides of the 
aisle, for coming here to express their heartfelt sympathy, but also 
for us to collectively focus on the job that remains ahead.
  This flood has caused enormous dislocation in our communities. Our 
neighbors will need our help in the weeks and the months ahead, and 
this institution needs to retain a commitment to make certain that 
these folks get back to a life as normal as possible.
  I am looking forward to working with our colleagues to assure that 
that is the end of this event, a successful conclusion that will have 
the Federal Government working in partnership with the State and local 
governments and volunteer agencies to make sure our neighbors get back 
on their feet.
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, as record floodwaters receded across New 
Jersey only weeks ago, the damage toll from Hurricane Floyd inched 
upward in our state. Surging floodwaters caused several hundred million 
dollars in property damage and claimed four lives.
  As officials struggled to cope with thousands of refugees, families 
were left to deal with contaminated drinking water, highway closures 
and lingering phone and power outages.
  Nine of the counties hardest hit by Floyd have been declared federal 
disaster areas--including Hunterdon, Middlesex, Mercer, and Somerset 
counties in my district.
  I was able to see firsthand the damage that the hurricane caused. In 
Lambertville, I toured the Middle School that only days before had 2-3 
feet of water flowing through it. Mud covered floors, floating school 
supplies, and overturned desks scattered the building. Officials there 
told me they expect the clean-up effort may cost up to $1.5 million.
  In Branchburg, I watched as families shoveled mud from their 
basements--their belongings ruined and homes permanently damaged.
  In my Congressional District, there was water everywhere, but none to 
drink, as flooding contaminated drinking-water sources. More than 
200,000 residents throughout the state were urged to boil tap water 
before using it.
  From the scenes of devastation, tales of heroic rescues emerged.
  In this time of devastation it gives me some comfort to think on 
those men and women of New Jersey who thought first of their fellow 
citizens.
  The inextinguishable spirit of the citizens of New Jersey has burned 
brightly in the days since this horrible disaster. And it will continue 
to burn as an example for our nation.
  However, this spirit alone cannot restore the damage caused by 
Hurricane Floyd.
  While the federal disaster declaration is a substantial step forward 
in helping central New Jerseyans start to put their lives back 
together, more immediate assistance is necessary.
  In cosponsoring this Resolution, I have pledged my support to 
continue to work to restore normalcy to the lives of the victims of the 
hurricane and to renew their spirits by helping them recover, rebuild, 
and reconstruct. I urge my fellow colleagues to join me.
  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, New Jersey suffered from some of the 
worst flooding in 200 years when Hurricane Floyd roared through Jew 
Jersey in September. Homes, corps, businesses and lives were destroyed.
  Floyd is gone, and the flood waters have receded, but many New 
Jerseyans continue to suffer its effects. Lives were completely 
disrupted, and they continue to be. Our words here on the House floor 
have little impact on their suffering, yet they are important because 
we must ensure that America remembers the havoc Floyd wreaked on New 
Jerseyans, and the people of coastal North Carolina as well. 
Furthermore, we must continue to monitor the Federal government's 
response to this disaster and make sure none of our residents is 
overlooked.
  I also want to take the opportunity to commend the countless men and 
women who contributed to relief efforts in New Jersey. Whether by 
wading into the waters to help rescue a stranded citizen, or by aiding 
with a contribution of time or money to help provide food and shelter 
for families, many of whom lost everything, New Jersey's volunteers 
have again demonstrated an admirable commitment to their fellow New 
Jerseyans, and to them I say, thank you.
  To the people of my own district, in Morris, Essex, Somerset, Sussex 
and Passaic Counties, and elsewhere, and to the people of Bound Brook 
and Manville, and throughout New Jersey who have lost both their 
belongings and their faith, let me assure you that Congress has not, 
and will not forget you.
  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Sununu). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Franks) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, House Resolution 322.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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