[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 1043-1052]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 EXPRESSING SYMPATHY FOR VICTIMS OF EARTHQUAKE IN INDIA ON JANUARY 26, 
               2001, AND SUPPORT FOR ONGOING AID EFFORTS

  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 15) expressing sympathy for the 
victims of the devastating earthquake that struck India on January 26, 
2001, and support for ongoing aid efforts.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 15

       Whereas on the morning of January 26, 2001, a devastating 
     and deadly earthquake shook the state of Gujarat in western 
     India, killing untold tens of thousands of people, injuring 
     countless others, and crippling most of the region;
       Whereas the earthquake of January 26, 2001, has left 
     thousands of buildings in ruin, caused widespread fires, and 
     destroyed infrastructure;
       Whereas the people of India and people of Indian origin 
     have displayed strength, courage, and determination in the 
     aftermath of the earthquake;
       Whereas the people of the United States and India have 
     developed a strong friendship based on mutual interests and 
     respect;
       Whereas India has appealed to the World Bank, the Asian 
     Development Bank, and the international community for the 
     economic assistance to meet the substantial relief and 
     reconstruction needs facing that country in the aftermath of 
     the earthquake;
       Whereas the United States has offered technical and 
     monetary assistance through the United States Agency for 
     International Development (USAID); and
       Whereas offers of assistance have also come from the 
     Governments of Turkey, Switzerland, Taiwan, Russia, Germany, 
     China, Canada, and others, as well as countless 
     nongovernmental organizations: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) expresses its deepest sympathies to the citizens of the 
     state of Gujarat and to all of India for the tragic losses 
     suffered as a result of the earthquake of January 26, 2001;
       (2) expresses its support for--
       (A) the people of India as they continue their efforts to 
     rebuild their cities and their lives;

[[Page 1044]]

       (B) continuing and substantially increasing the amount of 
     disaster assistance being provided by the United States 
     Agency for International Development (USAID) and other relief 
     agencies; and
       (C) providing future economic assistance in order to help 
     rebuild Gujarat;
       (3)(A) supports the economic assistance efforts of the 
     World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the international 
     community; and
       (B) urges the President to use United States influence with 
     these bodies to expedite these efforts; and
       (4) recognizes and encourages the important assistance that 
     also could be provided by other nations to alleviate the 
     suffering of the people of India.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Ackerman) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde).


                             General Leave

  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 15.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 15, which 
expresses the sympathy and the condolences of the American people and 
the Congress of the United States following the devastating earthquake 
that struck western India January 26, 2001.
  This earthquake, the most severe in India in the past 50 years, 
registered 7.9 on the Richter scale and caused incalculable human 
suffering and devastation. The resultant loss of life is estimated to 
be in the tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands are homeless and 
injured.
  President Bush has pledged to provide immediate assistance to India, 
which is in urgent need of medical supplies, food, and emergency relief 
equipment.
  H. Con. Res. 15 supports the efforts of our government, the World 
Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the international development 
community, in their endeavors to provide assistance to the Government 
of India and private voluntary organizations that are engaged in relief 
efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, India is the most populous democracy on earth and a 
strategic partner of the United States. It is, therefore, fitting that 
the United States Congress express its sympathy and condolences to the 
people of India for the tragic loss of life and devastating destruction 
caused by this earthquake and support all bilateral and multilateral 
efforts to ease the human suffering in India and provide assistance in 
the reconstruction effort.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 15. I 
urge its adoption by the House.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 
15.
  Mr. Speaker, on the morning of January 26, the devastating earthquake 
measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale ripped through Gujarat State in 
northwestern India, leaving in its wake destruction on a staggering 
scale. The full extent of the damage is as yet unknown, but the numbers 
of dead are at least in the tens of thousands, the number of injured in 
the hundreds of thousands, and the number of displaced is so far over a 
half a million.
  The estimate of property damage now tops $5 billion, but mere numbers 
cannot capture the extent of the devastation, nor the horror at the 
loss of life and loved ones.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to express my personal condolences to all of 
those in India for the tragic losses that they have suffered.

                              {time}  1045

  I also want to express my condolences to those Indian-Americans whose 
families or friends have been affected by the earthquake. I know that 
the Indian-American community has mobilized since the earthquake to 
provide donations to those organizations that are assisting the relief 
operations on the ground in India, and the community should be 
commended for and assisted in its efforts.
  The U.S. Agency for International Development has responded with a 
pledge of $5 million in emergency assistance joining many other nations 
as the international community comes together to assist in the search 
and rescue effort.
  I am sure that, in this hour of India's deepest need, the United 
States and the international community will continue to do all that 
they can to assist India in the rescue and reconstruction efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us today expresses the deepest 
sympathies of the Congress to the people of India and expresses our 
support as the people of India begin to rebuild their lives. I urge all 
of our colleagues to support the resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), one of the coauthors of this 
resolution.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, first, I want to commend the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Hyde), the new chairman of the Committee on International 
Relations, especially for expediting this important resolution to make 
certain that it hit the floor today.
  I worked on this resolution with the gentleman from Washington (Mr. 
McDermott), my fellow cochairman of the Congressional Caucus on India; 
and it goes to the issue of the massive earthquake that with terrifying 
intensity hit the State of Gujarat in India on January 26. This is the 
most massive quake that India has faced in 50 years. It left in its 
wake tens of thousands of dead and injured. It devastated the 
infrastructure of the region.
  The death toll has now been estimated anywhere between 20,000 and, 
incredibly, 100,000 human beings. These are staggering numbers, though 
the fatality statistics alone do not begin to convey the level of 
suffering that the people of India have endured and will endure for 
years to come as a result of this quake.
  Indeed, the images of death and destruction we have seen on 
television are sobering. While the quake also impacted Pakistan and 
Nepal and Bangladesh, it is Gujarat that has been reduced to rubble. 
Thousands who have been left homeless must now deal with the loss of 
family members and the loss of their neighbors.
  But in this tragedy, we were afforded a look at the strength of the 
human spirit. Alongside the devastation that occurred were the courage 
and determination shown by the people of India. Glimmers of that spirit 
came in the news that a mother and her baby were found among the 
survivors a full 4 days after the quake struck.
  Offers of assistance have come from many countries. Not surprisingly, 
members of the Indo-American community have been quick to deliver their 
time and aid. Many Indo-Americans have family in Gujarat, though it is 
the Indo-American community as a whole that has stepped forward with a 
greatly impressive aid drive.
  Over the weekend, USAID coordinated an airlift of emergency supplies 
to meet the immediate needs of the families in the region. President 
Bush has said that other airlifts are on the way. This resolution backs 
that effort in the strongest of terms which extends the American 
tradition of providing humanitarian aid.
  The rebuilding of the state of Gujarat is a daunting challenge. 
Economic damage may top $5 billion. While India enjoys a growing 
economy, U.S.-India commerce is growing, India is still, though, very 
much a developing country that can ill afford this damage, especially 
to Gujarat, which was an economic powerhouse of India.
  But India has a strong partner in the United States. We can lend a 
hand. Indians and Americans share a strong friendship, one that is so 
promising because of our common security and economic interest as well 
as the bond of common values between the world's oldest and largest 
democracies.

[[Page 1045]]

  This quake, by the way, struck on India's Republic Day, a time for 
India to celebrate the democratic values upon which it was founded 51 
years ago.
  Again, I want to commend the effort of the gentleman from Washington 
(Mr. McDermott) and applaud the support many Members of both parties 
showed by quickly cosponsoring this resolution. Showing solidarity now 
is in India's interest and it is in America's interest, and I urge 
passage.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Washington State (Mr. McDermott), the cosponsor of the 
resolution before us and also the newly elected cochair of the 
Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans.
  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Con. Res. 15, 
the concurrent resolution to express sympathy to the victims of the 
earthquake and the Indian state of Gujarat.
  It is really with a very heavy heart that the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Royce), my colleague and Indian Caucus cochair, has 
introduced this bill.
  I went down to San Francisco on Friday to celebrate Republic Day with 
the Indian community. I have never been in such a sad place filled with 
people who had spent the day or the night trying to get through to find 
out if their families were still alive.
  For those of us who live on the West Coast, a 7.9 earthquake is truly 
terrifying. I have never been through anything that strong, and I have 
been through some tough ones in Seattle, and I know the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Royce) has in Southern California. The devastation was, 
of course, clearly going to be a bad earthquake. But no one realized 
that this was going to be the worst natural disaster in several 
centuries in India.
  Several high-ranking government officials have already stated that 
the death toll is probably going to reach 100,000 people. Conservative 
estimates on property damage suggest a $5.5 billion toll, and that is 
before there has really been an assessment of the problem.
  This resolution simply expresses our sympathies and our support for 
efforts by our own country in relief efforts. The physical devastation 
of Gujarat will not be erased for many years, and the psychological 
scars may never be eliminated.
  Gujarat is where Mahatma Gandhi came from. It is where independence 
sprang. His first nonviolent act was to walk from Ahmedabad, the city 
that was destroyed, down to the sea. This is a time of tragedy, then, 
for our friends in India and all its people. In recent years, we have 
grown increasingly closer to India. The President visited India. The 
Prime Minister visited the United States last year. It was truly an 
amazing year last year. Those ties have become tighter and tighter in 
large measure because of the strong Indian-American community who has 
made an amazing impact in our country.
  It has been this community that has come together to truly lead the 
American people's response to this natural disaster. I was in Seattle 
for the Republic Day celebration on Sunday, and they had already 
pledged a million dollars from Seattle.
  India is a trading partner, a strategic partner and certainly an ally 
in democracy. I truly hope that our token of support is received by 
India and the people of India with our deepest sympathies.
  This resolution, I am sure, will be unanimous on all sides of the 
aisle. I am happy this House has acted so quickly.
  I want to thank Speaker Hastert and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. 
Gephardt) for acting so quickly and especially to thank the gentleman 
from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) 
for waiving their jurisdiction so that we can vote on it today.
  I would like to close by offering a Sanskrit benediction: ``Sarva 
Mang-alam Bha-vantu,'' peace to everyone.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), the distinguished chairman 
emeritus of the Committee on International Relations.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to thank the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Hyde), our distinguished chairman, for yielding. And I 
commend the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman 
from Washington (Mr. McDermott) for their sponsorship of this important 
resolution.
  I am pleased to rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 15, a sense of 
the Congress expressing our sympathy for the victims of the recent 
tragic earthquake in India and support for our ongoing aid efforts. Our 
hearts and prayers go out to our friends and families both here and 
abroad who are anguishing and mourning over this enormous tragedy in 
India.
  On January 26, a quake that hit India's Gujarat state measured 7.9 on 
the Richter Scale. As of yesterday, there were 6,287 people confirmed 
dead and 15,481 injured, with estimates putting the total number of 
fatalities projected to be as high as 100,000. That earthquake left 
thousands of buildings in ruin, caused widespread fires and devastation 
and impacted the entire infrastructure of that region.
  My office has been in direct contact with Ambassador Celeste, our 
representative to India; and based on his report, we are confident that 
our State Department is acting swiftly and appropriately in this 
crisis.
  Two days ago, our Nation's airlift, a 747 aircraft, loaded with 
supplies capable of assisting some 8,000 people, landed; and U.S. funds 
have already been contributed to India's prime minister's relief fund.
  Secretary of State Colin Powell has been permanently engaged in 
ensuring that our government does all that it can to help in sending 
emergency equipment and personnel to help relieve this suffering and 
then assessing how and where our assets can best be utilized.
  We commend India's defense minister, George Fernandes, for his swift 
and impressive response to this crisis. He is well known as being a man 
of the people and his dedicated work of his soldiers is doing God's 
work.
  It was reported yesterday that Prime Minister /Vajpayee, while 
touring areas hardest hit by the powerful quake, pledged that no 
expense would be spared to rebuild the affected region as soon as 
possible. We in our Nation need to do all that we can to assist him in 
his efforts, and I look forward to hearing from the administration how 
we can be of further assistance.
  I strongly support H. Con. Res. 15 and urge my colleagues to support 
the resolution.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), the founder of the India Caucus and the 
former chairman.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I come to the 
House floor this morning. Last Friday, as we know, one of the most 
destructive and devastating earthquakes hit India. And the area hit 
hardest by the quake was Gujarat, an area where a majority of Indian-
Americans in my home district of New Jersey come from.
  Many of these Indian-Americans today are still waiting to hear 
whether or not relatives and friends are still alive. I want the 
millions of Indian-Americans to know that my prayers remain with them 
as the struggle to find victims and provide assistance to the wounded 
continues.
  Mr. Speaker, the resolution that we have before us today says two 
very important things: first, that, as a country and as a Congress, we 
express our deepest sympathies to all Indians for the tragic losses 
suffered as a result of last week's earthquake; and, second, the 
resolution voices this Congress' belief that we must substantially 
increase the amount of disaster assistance being provided by USAID and 
other relief agencies. This is critical.
  As of today, USAID has already sent $5 million in emergency supplies 
to the area most devastated. This is a good start, but we must do more. 
That is why I have asked President Bush to immediately double the 
amount of money being sent to India through USAID. I believe that we 
will need to do more in the future, but this assistance will make a 
huge difference in the lives of those who are now suffering.

[[Page 1046]]

  I just lastly want to thank the gentleman from Washington (Mr. 
McDermott) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), the new 
chairman on the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, for 
introducing this resolution in such a timely manner.
  I ask that my colleagues support this resolution so that the nation 
of India and millions of Indian-Americans here in the United States 
know that they are not alone in helping the victims of this devastating 
event.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Knollenberg).
  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois 
(Mr. Hyde) for yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise this morning to join the bipartisan voices 
of support to the nation of India during this extremely difficult time.
  As was noted last Friday, western India, Gujarat, was struck by a 
devastating earthquake resulting in the loss of tens of thousands of 
lives. It has been mentioned that 100,000 might be reached, death and 
devastation that defies description. Perhaps the injuries will be in 
the hundreds of thousands, economic damage of $5 billion or more, and 
perhaps even that is not measurable.
  With the destruction of thousands of buildings and the devastation of 
the region's infrastructure, India is in great need of support from the 
international community. And I am glad to hear that USAID has weighed 
in with an initial response on January 27th of $5 million. There is 
more to come.
  Along with that, the international community, the European Union, the 
International Red Cross is on board. Things are happening, but it 
cannot happen fast enough.

                              {time}  1100

  So, Mr. Speaker, I offer my condolences to all the families and 
individuals in India and the United States, and particularly those in 
my own district in Michigan who lost their loved ones, as well as those 
who have lost homes and possessions. I urge all Members to join in 
expressing our deepest sympathies and continued support as the people 
of India face the enormous task of rebuilding their country.
  I urge my colleagues to support the resolution and I commend the 
authors, the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman 
from Washington (Mr. McDermott), as cochairs, for bringing this 
resolution forward.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Ms. Kilpatrick).
  Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank our ranking member 
for allowing me the time to come forward, and I thank also the two 
chairmen, as well as the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) and the 
gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDERMOTT) for bringing this to the 
floor quickly.
  As a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, where I serve 
on the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related 
Programs, this small appropriation that we are giving India today 
hopefully will be a first step in assisting them with the tragedy that 
they suffered on January 26.
  I want to express my sympathy to the victims of the devastating 
earthquake and let them know that this Congress, USAID, the World Bank 
and the Asian Bank are working in partnership to make sure that we do 
what we can to help to rebuild that fabulous country.
  It is important that we show our appreciation and support because 
millions of Indian-Americans, as has already been stated, here in this 
country have lost families in their homeland; over 20,000 and up to 
100,000 people losing their lives.
  So, Mr. Speaker, I am happy to also express sympathy and offer 
support, and I hope that as we work through the foreign operations 
budget we will find more financing and more support for the people of 
India.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Maryland (Mrs. Morella).
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 
15. I want to thank the chairman, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Hyde), and I want to thank the ranking member, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Lantos), for so expeditiously bringing this very 
important resolution before us. Obviously, I want to thank the Members 
of Congress who crafted it, the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) 
and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott).
  This is so important, and I certainly express my sorrow and my 
sympathy to the citizens of Gujarat, and all of India, for the losses 
that they have experienced caused by the tragic earthquake in India 
which occurred on January 26.
  This earthquake was the most powerful to strike India since August 
15, 1950. The Indian Government estimates that as many as 100,000 
people are dead, 200,000 are injured. The media has reported that more 
than 500,000 people are displaced. And although logistical constraints 
continue to hamper relief efforts, the United States Agency for 
International Development's Disaster Assistance Response Team, Catholic 
Charities, and dozens of relief agencies have worked with the Indian 
Government in identifying several critical needs in affected areas. 
Hundreds of volunteers have offered themselves and equipment to the 
relief efforts, including earth-moving equipment, concrete cutting and 
breaking supplies, medical equipment and supplies, mobile field 
surgical hospitals, portable water, sanitation facilities, food, and 
shelter.
  Americans are traditionally very generous to those in need, be it an 
individual or an entire Nation. And this terrible incident is another 
example of how we have to come together to attempt to lessen the severe 
pain that the country of India is currently experiencing.
  Although the search for survivors decreases by the day, we must 
remember the rebuilding period that will take decades. Literally 
hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children are homeless, 
widowed, orphaned, and helpless.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent a large number of Indian-
Americans in my district and to serve on the Congressional Caucus on 
India and Indian-Americans. I want to encourage all of my colleagues to 
join me in recognizing the pain of an entire Nation and the courage of 
its people while offering long-term support.
  Paraphrasing John Donne, who said, ``No man or woman is an island; we 
are all connected to each other. The death of any man or woman 
diminishes me. The bell tolls for each of us.'' Let us respond.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Ackerman), along with many Members of the Congressional Caucus on India 
and Indian-Americans.
  Let me first of all acknowledge the great contributions that Indo-
Americans have given to this Nation. Celebrating the 51st anniversary 
of their democracy this weekend in Houston with some 5,000, it was very 
much emphasized the drawing together of this community to lift up India 
and their loved ones.
  We realize there may be as many as 100,000 dead. And as we have 
watched every morning on television, we have seen not only the sadness 
but we have seen the courage, we have seen the ability of those in 
India to survive. And they want to survive and they want to try to save 
their family members. I am hoping, and I believe this resolution is of 
great importance to acknowledge their courage, to acknowledge the 
devastation and to begin to talk as a country to increase the amount of 
aid.
  Let me applaud the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans 
for its request for additional aid, and I wish to acknowledge 
Condoleezza Rice and the Bush administration in responding to a call I 
made for an increase in aid. Let us give the Indian people sympathy and 
love and let us give them support.

[[Page 1047]]

  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the sense of congress resolution 
expressing sympathy for the victims of the recent earthquake in India. 
The earthquake that struck India on January 26, 2001, was truly 
devastating and horrific. The loss of human life and mass destruction 
of property that has been witnessed in India is sad and real. With at 
least 20,000 people killed, thousands missing or homeless, and the 
region's infrastructure totally devastated, the state of Gujarat and 
the Indian nation has an overwhelming task of rebuilding.
  The earthquake had enormous affect in India's western Gujurat state, 
and governmental officials said thousands are injured or missing. The 
tremble caused high-rise buildings to shake from New Delhi to Munbai 
and Kolkata. I have learned that the death toll could go as high as 
100,000. Whatever the actual loss, such tragedies are difficult to ever 
justify morally or in any other logical fashion. It is a humanitarian 
disaster.
  The United States can and should play a leading role in the 
international relief effort on behalf of India, given the growing ties 
with India and the burgeoning American-Indian Community in America. In 
fact, India and the United States have much in common as the world's 
two largest democracies. Last year, I had an opportunity to accompany 
President Clinton on his historic visit to India to further strengthen 
our ties with the people of India. The warmth and genuineness of the 
people of India was unforgettable.
  This past weekend I attended a moving event with Indian-Americans 
from the 18th Congressional District of Texas. The Honorable Rinzing 
Wangdi, Consul General of India was in attendance. I had the 
opportunity to speak with a number of Indian-Americans who spoke about 
their shock and sadness regarding the earthquake.
  Accordingly, I wrote and spoke with the Bush Administration 
officials, over the weekend, to ask for support of the Indian people. 
When meeting with American-Indians in my community, they urged me to 
seek assistance for the people of India. While I surely applaud the 
innovative efforts being taken within India to assist the victims 
during this traumatic time, urgent assistance is needed for the people 
of India. We have all learned by now that searchers in India used 
everything from sniffer dogs and sophisticated rock-cutting tools to 
screwdrivers and their bare hands to search for survivors. We must 
hope, of course, that any life that can be saved will be saved.
  In bringing hope and expeditious relief to the people of India, we 
must listen to the growing Indian-American population for their 
guidance and expertise in emerging from this crisis. Indian-Americans, 
who have organized themselves into large numbers of associations and 
organizations, are playing an important role in strengthening 
cooperation in India and the United States. This is a promising sign 
for relations between our nations because we can pull together in times 
of need.
  As a preliminary response, I am thankful that coordinated efforts by 
agencies such as the American Red Cross and international organizations 
are beginning to determine the needs of the survivors and those left 
without basic necessities. Contributions by individuals to such relief 
agencies will make such a discernable difference in the life of the 
people of India that have suffered so severely.
  Additionally, India will be seeking loans from the international 
community to rebuild the devastated areas. The Government of India is 
expected to seek loans from international institutions, such as the 
World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. The World Bank has thus far 
offered $300 million, and has pledged to put together a longer-term 
assistance plan in consultation with the Gujarat state government. We 
understand that India may seek $1.5 billion in multilateral loans.
  Mr. Speaker, we must confront unilateral U.S. sanctions that are in 
place against India to bring some peace and stability to the affected 
areas. Under the unilateral sanctions regime on India that went into 
effect in 1998, the U.S. government was directed to oppose multilateral 
loans and credits to India. However, under legislation adopted by 
Congress, the President of the United States has the authority to waive 
certain sanctions, including the mandated U.S. opposition to World Bank 
loans, particularly those loans that would have a direct humanitarian 
benefit. Clearly, the present tragedy in India is an enormous 
humanitarian emergency.
  Accordingly, I wish to join my colleagues and urge the Administration 
to fully support India's request for assistance through international 
financial institutions, and should work within the World Bank and other 
international organizations to expedite India's requests. It is the 
right thing to do and we all know it.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time of enormous tragedy in India, it would send 
a positive signal of American concern and support if the remaining U.S. 
unilateral sanctions against India were waived to allow for friendlier 
and more normalized relations between our nations, and to remove any 
impediments for full and prompt delivery of assistance to India in this 
time of need. Let us be helpful and expeditious in this enormous time 
of need for the people of India.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the resolution.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas 
(Mr. Paul).
  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me this 
time. I too want to express my deep sympathy and sorrow for those 
people in India who are suffering. It was truly a devastating natural 
disaster and certainly the concern of all Americans goes out to all 
these people.
  I do have some concerns about how we respond so often to disasters 
like this because we believe that we can solve all our problems by just 
going to the taxpayers. I know that this does not seem like the 
appropriate time to raise the question, but there was a time in our 
history when we did not assume that it was a constitutional approach to 
tax poor people in America to help people in other parts of the world. 
We have always resorted to charities and volunteer approaches, and I 
still believe that is proper. I do not think there is evidence to show 
that aid to governments is necessarily the most efficient manner of 
helping other people.
  There is also the moral question. We talk about what we are giving 
today, and it is substantial amounts, and we are substantially 
increasing it. It could be $10 million. It could be $100 million. But 
nobody talks about could it cost something. Well, there is a cost to it 
and it might hurt some innocent people in this country; the people who 
we do not know about. Somebody might not be able to build a house or 
get medical care. There may be somebody who will lose a job. There may 
be an increase in inflation. But we will never see those victims, so 
they are not represented. I think that if we were more determined to 
follow the rule of law and do this only in a voluntary manner we would 
not always place a burden on some innocent people in this country.
  It was ironic that today, although there was talk earlier about 
sending some goods and surpluses, that actually the ambassador today 
sadly said he was not interested in any surpluses; he just wanted the 
dollars to come over there. And there may be a good reason for this, 
for efficiency sake or whatever. But in a way, I think if we have some 
surplus in food or something, we should be able to provide that.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to express my sympathy 
for victims of the recent earthquake in the State of Gujarat, India 
and, at the same time, my concern for American taxpayers who, once 
again, will see their constitution ignored and their pockets raided by 
their representatives in Washington--it is, of course, easy to express 
sympathy with other people's money.
  Without so much as a hearing in the International Relations 
committee, this bill comes to the floor and, while laudably expressing 
deep sympathy for victims of this terrible natural disaster in India, 
regrettably expresses support for (a) the World Bank; (b) 
``substantially'' increasing the amount of U.S. taxpayer-funded, 
disaster assistance; and (c) future economic assistance to rebuild the 
state of Gujarat, India.
  Setting aside for the moment that nowhere in Article I, Sec. 8 (the 
enumerated powers clause) of the Federal Constitution can authority be 
found to take money from U.S. taxpayers for this purpose, additional 
problems result from passage of this resolution as well as those 
actions certain to follow as a consequence of the bill's passage.
  First, the notion of taxing the fruits of financially struggling 
Americans with no constitutional authority only to send it to foreign 
governments is reprehensible. One of the problems with such aid is that 
it ultimately ends up in the hands of foreign bureaucrats who merely 
use it to advance their own foreign government agendas thus making it 
less likely to get to those most deserving. One need only compare the 
success of private charities in this country with those government 
relief efforts to clearly see government's profound and inherently 
inept record.
  Secondly, forced ``contributions'' erode any satisfaction that comes 
from being a charitable individual. Without the personal choice of 
giving or not giving to charitable relief efforts, the

[[Page 1048]]

decision to be charitable and the moral reward of so doing is 
completely eroded by the force-based government.
  Lastly, as a result of such actions as these, participation dwindles 
worldwide for the most efficient means of dealing with such 
catastrophes, that is, private disaster insurance. When disaster costs 
are socialized, greater catastrophic results are encouraged as more 
people ignore the costs of living in riskier areas. At the same time, 
these same actors ignore the cost savings and other benefits of living 
in safer areas. Governments acting to socialize these costs actually 
stimulates the eventual death and destruction of more people and their 
property. (This, of course, is a lesson that the United States should 
learn to apply domestically, as well.)
  While I truly do extend my heartfelt sympathy to those victims of the 
recent natural disaster in India, my duty remains to protect the U.S. 
taxpayer and uphold the constitutional limits of our Federal 
Government. For this reason and each of those detailed above, I must 
oppose this resolution.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Solis).
  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I too rise in support of House Concurrent 
Resolution 15.
  A few weeks ago, Mr. Speaker, we heard of a devastating earthquake 
also in El Salvador. Here we go again, another earthquake that has 
profoundly affected the citizens of India.
  As a former representative of the State of California, I had the 
privilege of working with the Indo-American community in the State of 
California to help establish a trade office there. I know that these 
individuals, both there and abroad, their families right now deserve 
our utmost support and sympathy, and particularly any humanitarian aids 
that we might provide.
  I stand here before my colleagues, as a California representative, 
asking for full support and effort on behalf of our country for those 
mostly affected in the great country of India.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Foley).
  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois for 
bringing this quickly to the floor. Having just returned from India, I 
wish to express my deepest sympathy to the many victims of the recent 
earthquake. India is a beautiful country, with so many wonderful 
people. The scope of this disaster is just hard to imagine. Traveling 
across the country, I was amazed by the diversity in the culture and 
the hospitality of the hosts.
  The devastation caused by this natural disaster has taken the lives 
of over 10,000 people but has impacted countless others, both in India 
and here in the United States. In my own district, the American-Indian 
community is very strong, and I am honored to consider many of them my 
friends.
  It is difficult to imagine the magnitude of the devastation in India 
as we speak hear on the floor today, but I am deeply moved by the 
mobilization of the Indian community in response to this tragedy.
  Let me borrow a quote from the inaugural address of President Bush. 
``Never tiring, never yielding, never finishing, we renew that purpose 
today; to make our country more just and generous; to affirm the 
dignity of our lives and every life. This work continues. This story 
goes on.'' That is America, there to help in time of need.
  So I would encourage all Americans to consider contributing to one of 
the many aid organizations that participate in the recovery and aid the 
mission in India. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and 
I thank all who participated in bringing it to the floor today.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen) .
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in 
support of House Concurrent Resolution 15 expressing sympathy for the 
victims of the devastating earthquake that struck India on January 26, 
2001 and support for aid efforts.
  Relative to our population size, the Virgin Islands proportionately 
has one of the largest Indian communities in the United States. In many 
communities of the Caribbean, people who trace their ancestry to India 
make up an important part of the fabric of those societies. So on 
behalf of the Virgin Islands' community I wanted to join my colleagues 
in expressing our sympathy and concern, but more importantly in 
encouraging our country's support.
  One finds it difficult to imagine how a Nation will cope with a 
tragedy which estimates total deaths possibly as many as 100,000 
people. They can only do so with our and the world's help.
  I want to commend President Bush for his quick response in offering 
assistance to the people of India. Likewise, I want to commend the 
Speaker; our minority leader, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. 
Gephardt); and my other colleagues for doing the same with this 
resolution today, and I urge its support.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman.
  As chairman of the subcommittee on science that oversees what we do 
on earthquakes in the United States, I would like to sort of make two 
comments. Number one, we are going to do whatever we can in this 
country to relieve some of the suffering and some of the damage that 
has been caused by earthquakes in India, so certainly I support this 
resolution. But I would like to call to all my colleagues' attention, 
to the attention of the American people, that this is not isolated to 
some other country; something that might happen someplace else.
  We have had serious earthquakes in the United States and will 
continue to have very serious earthquakes. The Loma Prieta earthquake 
was an estimated $6 billion worth of property loss in addition to human 
life. And of course the Northridge in 1994 was an estimated $40 billion 
loss of property as well as a great deal of damage to our physical 
health and well-being in California. It is a challenge.
  We have passed a bill this past year which is probably the most 
aggressive effort in giving us a better time frame to determine what we 
can do in that short time period to reduce the damage to human and 
physical property.

                              {time}  1115

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the 
gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the vibrant Indo-American 
community in my district, many of whom who have relatives in Gujarat, I 
rise in strong support of the resolution and thank the distinguished 
co-chairman of our Caucus on India, the gentleman from Washington (Mr. 
McDermott) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), who I was 
honored to travel with them and the President to India last year.
  I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this resolution, which 
expresses sympathy for the loss of lives and Congress' commitment to 
help our ally, India, the world's largest democracy.
  I know that USAID and other U.S. agencies are working hard to respond 
to this crisis. It is also important that we all work to get accurate 
information to our constituents so that they can know, in the earliest 
time possible, what has happened to their loved ones.
  I certainly pledge to do my part and am happy once again to 
congratulate the authors of this resolution.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Ose).
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the people of the 
Third Congressional District to express our deepest sympathies to the 
people of India for the losses suffered in the recent earthquake in 
Gujurat.
  As we see the victim toll continue to rise, I pledge my support to 
those efforts in aiding India and its people to recover and rebuild 
their cities and their lives.
  I hope that the Committee on Financial Services will take an 
extensive look at helping India through the Asian Development Bank. The 
U.S. contribution to the Asian Development Bank can provide an 
effective way to

[[Page 1049]]

help India rebuilt its cities and keep its society going.
  I applaud the Bush administration's active role and those of all 
international organizations in supporting the people of India at this 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this resolution.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the 
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps) a member of the committee.
  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, it is with such sadness that I rise today to 
speak of the enormous tragedy which has befallen the Indian people. The 
earthquake that struck Gujarat on January 26 has taken such a toll and 
the suffering continues.
  I recently had the opportunity to travel to India and witnessed 
firsthand the grandeur of this great nation. I experienced the 
generosity and warmth of the Indian people and benefitted from their 
friendship.
  The Indian people have overcome many challenges to become a great 
leader in technology and commerce. As the world's largest democracy, 
India is a great friend to the United States and an important ally. I 
trust we all are and will do all we can to help our friends in this, 
their time of need.
  I commend the efforts in my district through a nonprofit agency, 
Direct Relief International, where shipments of medical supplies are on 
their way in a coordinated effort. I know that this aid we send cannot 
end their suffering, but we must reach out a helping hand and our 
prayers to our friends in India and to Indian Americans here at home.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Latham). The gentleman from Illinois 
(Mr. Hyde) has 2\1/2\ minutes remaining, and the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Ackerman) has 7\1/2\ minutes remaining.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Ferguson).
  Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues know, on January 26 of 
this year, India suffered a tragic and deadly earthquake that stole the 
lives of thousands. It is with my deepest and heartfelt sympathies that 
I offer my prayers for all those affected by the earthquakes in western 
India.
  I have spoken with Indian Americans in my district in New Jersey who 
are experiencing tremendous grief. My thoughts are with them and their 
family and friends and all of those who have been affected by this 
unbelievably tragic event.
  Now that several days have passed and the critical threshold for time 
for the rescue of survivors is dwindling, I can only point to the 
recovery of a 7-year-old child, who was found in the arms of her 
deceased mother, as a sign of hope that there are still survivors. It 
is faith that has kept these survivors alive. We must not lose ours.
  In the aftermath of these earthquakes, the people of India have shown 
an enormous display of strength, courage, and determination. We must 
support the thousands of survivors who have been left in shock and who 
are in desperate need of medical care, food and shelter.
  We must ensure that the United States and international aid is 
delivered to provide both economic and disaster assistance in order to 
alleviate the suffering of the people of India in a timely fashion.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez).
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong support for 
the resolution before us, which expresses our deep sorrow and sympathy 
for the horrifying earthquake that devastated India, the world's 
largest democracy, on January 26.
  In spite of this enormous natural disaster, the will of the Indian 
people perseveres as they try to recover and meet the latest challenge 
placed before them. Many of my constituents have family, friends and 
loved ones that live in Gujurat, the hardest-hit region, and my 
thoughts and prayers are with them.
  Our shared democratic values and commitment to the rule of law and 
basic freedoms demonstrate why it is in America's interest to assist 
India, a growing trading partner, in its full recovery. While the 
Agency for International Development has already provided several 
millions of dollars in emergency humanitarian and disaster assistance, 
I hope President Bush will seek to do more.
  Even though the earthquake will have a negative impact on India's 
growing economy, India should continue with its bold economic 
liberalization and revitalization efforts. Through those efforts, the 
United States will remain its largest foreign trading partner and 
investor.
  The Indian-American community, which has played a strong and 
productive role in strengthening ties between India and the United 
States, has responded strongly in the midst of their overwhelming 
grief. The effects of this unfolding tragedy will be felt over time, 
but it remains necessary to continue with relief efforts and begin to 
consider the long-term steps necessary to help India rebuild itself.
  I hope our Government will continue to support the relief efforts of 
AID, private voluntary organizations, and international financial 
institutions to supplement for the vigorous efforts of the Indian 
government as it helps its citizens recover and rebuild their lives. It 
gives us the sense of universality of our citizens, the citizens of the 
world. And in moments of need, this is the time which the United States 
has a tremendous opportunity to help.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the 
distinguished gentleman from the State of Illinois (Mr. Davis), the 
original conceiver of this resolution before us today, who has been 
very gracious in cooperating both with the leadership and with the 
women members of our delegation to allow them to speak before him, as 
well.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman 
from Illinois (Speaker Hastert), the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey), 
the majority leader, and my colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Hyde) for their sensitivity in expediting this important resolution to 
the floor.
  I also take this opportunity to commend and thank the gentleman from 
Washington (Mr. McDermott) and the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Royce), the co-chairs of the Caucus on India, for their leadership in 
drafting this important resolution.
  I was also pleased to have a resolution which I submitted rolled in 
this one so that there would be one strong resolution and one strong 
display of unity.
  I rise today on behalf of the people of the Seventh Congressional 
District of Illinois to offer support, sympathy and condolences to the 
people of India in light of what has been called one of the most 
deadliest and most devastating earthquakes ever to strike that country.
  On Friday, January 26, India was struck by a devastating earthquake 
that measured 7.9 on the Richter scale. The earthquake has flattened 
the second most industrialized city in India. In addition, to causing 
massive destruction to the infrastructure of India--thousands of lives 
have been lost. As of today, the official death toll stands at more 
than 7 thousand. According to Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes, 
the death toll could go as high as 100 thousand, with twice as many 
injured. Moreover, more than 200,000 people are said to be homeless as 
a result of the devastating destruction to many of the buildings in 
Western India. Thousands of India citizens remain traumatized by the 
continuous strong tremors and aftershocks--some ranging up to 5.6 
magnitude on the Richter scale, that continue to hit India.
  Hundreds of thousands of persons are plagued with the prospect of no 
food, no running water for bathing or cooking, no blankets to stay warm 
and no working telephones to make contact with family.
  But even in the midst of this tragedy, there are heartwarming stories 
that must be told. For example, the enormous outpouring of aid from the 
world community and especially Pakistan. Other stories include children 
and babies being pulled out of the rubble after being buried for 3-4 
days. The remarkable story of the

[[Page 1050]]

human heart and how it is able to triumph over tragedy. In Chicago, and 
other cities relief efforts are underway. There are the remarkable 
doctors, nurses and other medical personnel volunteering to work 
urgently against time to save as many victims as possible. Their 
dedication to save life regardless of the lack of medical supplies 
available to them, at times moving from victim to victim without time 
to sterilize their medical instruments. I praise the medical personnel 
who are doing everything possible to save their fellow citizens during 
this tragic time in their country.
  It is estimated that the damages caused by the earthquake will be 
$5.5 billion. India is in need of mobile surgery units, simple 
medications, bandages, splints, and electronic equipment to help search 
for bodies buried in the rubble. India has already begun to receive aid 
in forms of search dogs, cranes, generators, and experienced rescuers. 
The United States has committed $5 million in aid to be sent to India.
  I call on all citizens of the United States to assist India in its 
rebuilding efforts. Crisis situations, like the one in India, calls for 
genuine unity among nations. It has been predicted that the 
rehabilitation and reconstruction may take another 10 to 20 years. The 
need for support to India will continue to exist after the rubble has 
been plowed away and the dead memorialized. This Resolution says that 
we, as a nation, will continue to be by India's side during its 
transformation back into a state of normalcy.
  I want to commend the world community for its swift action and 
response and especially the country of Pakistan. I also want to commend 
all of the medical personnel, the doctors and nurses, and others who 
have given so much of themselves so that they could be of help.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my new intern, Jennifer Luciano from 
Loyola University. This was her first work effort, and I think she did 
an outstanding job.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 1\1/2\ minutes 
to the distinguished gentleman from the State of Washington (Mr. 
Inslee).
  Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, the depth of the suffering and tragedy in 
India I think is obvious. But I think what is not, perhaps, obvious is 
to the extent of how close our relationship will be with the Indian 
people over the next several decades.
  I would suggest that one of, and just one of the reasons we should 
significantly increase our aid to India at this time is that we are 
going to have a relationship with India, the world's largest democracy, 
I believe, in the next several decades every bit as close and 
important, as vital and productive as our previous relationship with 
the continent of Europe in the last several centuries. And because of 
that, we ought to significantly increase, is my belief, our commitment, 
which, at this moment, stands at, I believe, $5 million.
  My growing friendship with the Indo-American community, seeing the 
creative talent that has come to our community in my district, which is 
the major reason for the economic explosion in my district with their 
creative talents, leads me to conclude that India is going to be every 
bit as important as the European community.
  I want to compliment the Bush administration in trying to assess the 
damage in India. I have spoken to two assistant secretaries in the last 
2 days about that. But I do want to encourage the executive authority 
to significantly increase the aid on an emergency basis, even before we 
can do an emergency supplemental. And the reason I say that is, the 
executive staff does have the ability to do this at this time. There 
are funds in the various accounts to be able to do so. And it is my 
belief that this would be a tremendous step for the new administration 
to take, to come up with an aid package in multiples of $5 million.
  It would demonstrate the compassion that is the basic character of 
the country, but it would also demonstrate that this new administration 
intends to have a proactive beneficial international policy.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from the State of New Jersey (Mr. Holt).
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, while thousands of individuals celebrated 
their domestic accomplishments and democratic government a week ago on 
Republic Day, the earthquake shook the ground that they marched on and 
turned a festivity into a disaster for hundreds of thousands.
  Earlier this month, I had the privilege of traveling again in India, 
a country rich in heritage, beauty and traditions, a country quickly 
rising in economic power.
  Now, however, despite the dismal reports, small glimmers of hope are 
emerging from the darkness. Just yesterday, a 24-year-old computer 
student, Veeral Dalal, a resident of my State of New Jersey, was 
rescued in Bhuj after spending 4 days with only 8 inches of room 
between him and a collapsed ceiling.
  Americans are generous to those in need. We stand ready to offer 
assistance. Mr. Dalal is just one example of how grief can be mitigated 
with hope. But we must stand ready not only to offer help and rescue, 
recovery, and emergency shelter and care, but also in the longer-term 
efforts in community planning and reconstruction of a modern 
infrastructure in keeping with the great country of India and our 
growing closeness to democratic countries.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time is remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Ackerman) 
has 2 minutes remaining.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to 
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House 
Concurrent Resolution 15 offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Royce), the gentlemen from Illinois, Mr. Hyde and Mr. Davis, and the 
gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott) and my good friend, the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Ackerman).
  I wish to express my deepest sympathy to the victims of the 
devastating earthquake that occurred on the morning of January 26 of 
this year in the Indian state of Gujarat in western India and the 
families of the victims both in India and the United States.
  As a member of the Caucus on India and as a representative of a 
sizable population from Gujarat and other parts of India in my home 
district, I will do everything I can to help my constituents reach out 
to their families and friends who suffered tremendous losses as a 
result of this terrible event.

                              {time}  1130

  I will be meeting with leaders of the Indian community in my district 
this Thursday to talk about the relief efforts that are under way thus 
far.
  I wish to commend the gentlemen from California, Illinois, New York, 
and Washington for their leadership in rapidly responding to the 
Gujarat earthquake over the last several days. I also want to extend my 
thanks to the Bush administration, Secretary Powell, and USAID for 
their quick response to the situation in India and the release of 
emergency funding.
  As my colleagues have done, I urge the Bush administration to 
increase the amount of technical and monetary support both for 
immediate disaster relief as well as for long-term reconstruction of 
the Gujarat state economy. I also urge the Bush administration to 
support World Bank funding for earthquake relief.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I just want to conclude by thanking the distinguished new chairman of 
the House Committee on International Relations on what appears to be 
his first successful handling of a bill in that committee on the floor. 
He shows a lot of promise.
  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I was deeply saddened by the 
news of the earthquake in India's Gujarat state and would like to offer 
my sincerest condolences to the families of India. In this time of 
tragedy, the people of India can be assured that we will stand by them 
and continue to offer our support. We will do all we can to aid those 
who are suffering and those who must begin the difficult process of 
rebuilding.
  Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I stand before the House today with a heavy 
heart to express my profound sorrow and sympathy for the victims of the 
Gujarat earthquake in India.
  This terrible act of nature destroyed thousands of homes and 
businesses, crippled

[[Page 1051]]

roads and bridges, and unleashed raging fires. But, my colleagues, the 
most devastating toll of destruction resulting from last Friday's 
earthquake is not on the physical structures in India, but on the 
citizens of India themselves. Tens of thousands of Indian people were 
killed as a result of this earthquake, and a myriad of others were 
critically injured.
  Mr. Speaker, I know from my personal involvement with the Indian-
American community in my congressional district and from my service on 
the Caucus on India and Indian-Americans that the people of India and 
the United States have long enjoyed a hearty and prosperous friendship. 
I am also very aware of the strong sense of community and social 
responsibility that Indian-Americans possess. When a tragedy of this 
magnitude occurs, the Indian people both domestic and abroad, rally 
this spirit of community and fellowship to help the plight of those 
suffering from harm.
  We too must answer this call to service and community, and reaffirm 
our support for the people of India in this time of dire need. That is 
why I became an original cosponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 15, 
which officially recognizes and encourages efforts to alleviate the 
suffering of the people of India. I fully support continuing and 
increasing the amount of disaster assistance provided to India by the 
United States Agency for International Development, and encourage other 
financial institutions such as the World Bank to provide economic 
assistance.
  While no amount of money could ever hope to replace the loss of life, 
we can endeavor to ease the suffering and help the reconstruction 
efforts of those survivors left to pick up the pieces. I am pleased 
that H. Con. Res. 15 passed the House overwhelmingly earlier this 
afternoon. Once again, Mr. Speaker, let me express my condolences to 
the victims of the Indian earthquake.
  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to come before the 
House today and pledge support to H. Con. Res. 15, a concurrent 
resolution expressing sympathy for those suffering due to the 
devastating earthquake in India. As a member of the India Caucus I want 
to commend Representatives McDermott and Royce who introduced this 
resolution and so quickly brought it to the House floor.
  On January 26, an earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter Scale 
occurred in western India. The epicenter of the earthquake was located 
12 miles northeast of Bhuj in Gujarat State, India. Since January 26, 
there have been 77 confirmed aftershocks, 19 of which registered above 
5.0 on the Richter Scale. On January 28, two aftershocks caused 
additional structural damage. Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh were also 
impacted. The earthquake was the most powerful to strike India since 
August 15, 1950, when an 8.5-magnitude earthquake killed 1,538 people 
in northeastern Assam state.
  This enormous tragedy has left tens of thousands of people dead, 
hundreds of thousands homeless, and the region's infrastructure 
devastated. The state of Gujarat and the entire nation of India face an 
enormous task of rebuilding. Friday's quake flattened two cities in 
India's western Gujarat state, and government officials said thousands 
are injured or still missing.
  In addition to the relief assistance already being provided by the 
Government of India, I am here today to support United States efforts 
as well. On January 27, the United States Agency for International 
Development/Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) 
announced that it is prepared to provide $5 million in emergency 
humanitarian assistance. Mr. Speaker, the United States has a long 
history of support for other nations in their time of need. And I join 
other Members of the Congress in supporting these efforts for India.
  I am pleased to be working with members of the Indian community in my 
congressional district to expedite assistance to those in need.
  My prayers are with those affected by the earthquake and those in my 
district and other Americans who have family and friends in India.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Concurrent 
Resolution 15, which expresses Congress' sympathy to the citizens of 
Gujarat, India, for the devastating losses suffered as a result of last 
week's deadly earthquake. This resolution urges economic and disaster 
assistance to help the victims of this disaster rebuild their lives. As 
an original cosponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 15, and a longtime 
friend of India, I urge all my colleagues to join me in voting for this 
measure.
  This tragedy has cost the lives of tens of thousand in India, injured 
more than 100,000, and displaced more than a half million men, women, 
and children. Fires still burn throughout the devastated region. The 
damage to the region is expected to exceed $5.5 billion. In the face of 
such a catastrophe, it is imperative that the global community actively 
respond. Already, nations around the globe, and countless non-
governmental organizations, have offered assistance to India. We in the 
United States can do no less. I commend President Bush for quickly 
offering assistance to India, and urge my colleagues to do still more.
  I offer my condolences to the people of India, and especially the 
victims of the Gujarat earthquake and their families. I thank my 
colleagues, Mr. McDermott and Mr. Royce, for offering this resolution, 
and urge all my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 15 
which expresses the sympathy and support of the American people and the 
U.S. Congress to the victims of the devastating earthquake in western 
India. On Friday, January 26, the Indian State of Gujarat was struck by 
a massive quake which was felt across the subcontinent from Pakistan to 
Nepal and Bangladesh. For Gujarat, the calamity was overwhelming--
thousands have lost their lives and countless others have been rendered 
homeless and destitute.
  The Government of India has been coping heroically in the face of 
such widespread destruction. The Indian Armed Forces have been the 
backbone of this response, joined by thousands of ordinary people who 
have put aside their own personal loss to help save lives and provide 
assistance to others.
  The aftershocks of the quake can be felt around the world and in our 
own country as thousands of Indian-Americans face the loss of loved 
ones.
  I want to commend the Bush administration and the U.S. Agency for 
International Development for immediately responding to the emergency 
by providing $5 million in humanitarian assistance and dispatching a 
plane load of supplies and relief experts to the region.
  I also want to commend the American people, particularly the Indian-
American community for their tremendous outpouring of concern and 
offers of assistance to the victims of the disaster. As we have seen 
time and again, during the recent earthquake in El Salvador and other 
foreign disasters, the generosity and caring of the American people 
knows no boundaries.
  The world community has also recognized the enormity of this disaster 
and aid has been flooding in from all corners. But I am afraid that 
even this generous response will be inadequate in the face of such 
overwhelming destruction.
  This resolution pledges the support of the U.S. Congress to provide 
additional assistance to the Indian Government and the people of 
Gujarat as they try to rebuild their lives and their country.
  In light of the very special relationship between the United States 
and India, I think it is important that we send this message of 
solidarity and hope to the people of India.
  There will be dark days ahead for the people of India as they dig out 
from beneath the rubble, cremate the dead and try to piece together 
their lives and livelihoods. But they can take comfort from the fact 
that they are not alone in facing this challenge. America and the world 
will stand by India in its hour of need.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of this resolution 
expressing sympathy for the victims of the January 26, 2001, earthquake 
in India. The earthquake and the subsequent aftershocks have killed 
tens of thousands of people.
  On the heels of a large earthquake and mudslides in El Salvador, the 
earthquake in India has again challenged the international community to 
respond to people in need. And again we have responded with 
overwhelming support. Countries from the United States to Great Britain 
to Israel to countries around the world responded with humanitarian 
aid.
  Most heartening is the aid provided by Pakistan. Despite the ongoing 
conflict over the disputed territory along the Indian-Pakistani border, 
Pakistan has reached out to its neighbor to help in a time of need, 
just as India has during natural disasters that have devastated 
Pakistan. It is my hope that through this tragedy these two enemies can 
put aside their differences to create a lasting peace.
  I applaud the pledge of support by USAID, and hope that this Congress 
will provide further resources to help the people of India recover from 
this disaster. This resolution also commits the Congress to providing 
additional funding to disaster assistance. It is my hope that when it 
comes time to appropriate this money, this body will consider disaster 
assistance a higher priority than a tax cut or an aircraft carrier or a 
national missile defense system. Wherever and whenever there are people 
suffering around the world the United States

[[Page 1052]]

should respond to those people in need through support of international 
efforts. We should make it the cornerstone of our foreign policy to 
help those who suffer from not only natural disasters, but also those 
who suffer under inhumane sanctions, disease, and war.
  On behalf of the many Indian-Americans and constituents in my 
district, I join with my colleagues in expressing our deepest 
sympathies with the people who have lost family members, homes, and 
businesses in this disaster. I am confident that with the outpouring of 
international aid and support coupled with the enduring resilience of 
the Indian people, that they will be able to rebuild and continue to 
move forward. Also, we thank all those individuals, organizations, and 
countries who respond to disasters throughout the world.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, as the devastating results of the earthquake 
in Gujarat, India continue to unfold before the world's eyes, I believe 
I speak for all citizens of the United States when I say sorrow fills 
every heart and soul.
  When tragedy of this magnitude strikes, its impact is not isolated by 
physical boundaries. The pain is felt by the entire world. Let us, as 
individuals, remember that while we have all experienced loss in our 
own lives at one time or another, many Indian families lost everything 
they had in one devastating moment. Therefore, let us, as members of 
local communities, reach out to our Indian friends, neighbors and 
coworkers and do all that we can to ease their pain and suffering. Let 
us, as a country, use the resources we've been blessed with to help the 
Indian government cope with this widespread destruction and loss of 
life.
  Personally, I send my deepest sympathy to those families affected by 
this cataclysmic disaster. I, along with my family and my staff, also 
extend our hearts and hands to the Indian community here in America. 
With humbled hearts, we will pray for strength for the Indian nation.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member rises today in support of H. 
Con. Res. 15, which expresses sympathy for the victims of the 
devastating earthquake that struck India on January 26, 2001, and 
provides support for ongoing aid efforts.
  This Member would like to thank the distinguished gentleman from 
California (Mr. Royce) for introducing this sense of the Congress 
resolution and for his efforts in bringing this measure to the House 
floor today.
  As is well known, on the morning of January 26, 2001, a deadly 
earthquake shook the state of Gujarat in western India, which injured 
and killed untold thousands of people and has left the building 
infrastructure in ruin.
  India has appealed to the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and 
the international community for the economic assistance to meet the 
relief needs facing India. It is important to note that the Asian 
Development Bank promotes development in the Asia-Pacific region 
through project investment lending, policy reform lending and advice, 
and technical assistance.
  As the chairman of the Financial Services Subcommittee on 
International Monetary Policy and Trade, which has jurisdiction over 
the World Bank and the regional development banks such as the Asian 
Development Bank, this Member wants to convey his strong support for 
these aid efforts for India.
  This sense of the Congress resolution was referred to both the House 
Financial Services and House International Relations Committee. As a 
member of both of these committees, this Member would like to encourage 
his colleagues to vote in support of H. Con. Res. 15.
  Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this 
resolution recognizing the recent tragedy in India as a result of a 
devastating earthquake and the horrific loss of life experienced by the 
Indian nation.
  I want to commend the gentleman from Washington for introducing the 
original resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, at the same time we are expressing our sympathy and 
support for the people of India, I want to call to the attention of my 
colleagues another tragic earthquake which recently hit El Salvador 
with equally horrific devastation and loss of life.
  On January 13 an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6, only 3 tenths of 
a point less powerful than the earthquake in India, rocked El Salvador. 
It is estimated that close to 1,000 people lost their lives, with 
another 4,000 injured.
  Recently, I visited El Salvador along with several of my colleagues 
and witnessed first hand the tragedy which has engulfed that nation. We 
were told that over 75,000 houses were destroyed and another 118,000 
damaged ultimately affecting well over 1 million Salvadorans.
  Mr. Speaker, just when the people of El Salvador seemed to have 
recovered from the devastating effects of Hurricane Mitch, this tragedy 
hits forcing new sacrifices from an already battered population.
  But as they did after Mitch, the people of El Salvador have already 
begun to put their lives back together with a fierce spirit of self-
determination, and a lot of help from friends far and wide.
  And although we are dealing here with the tragedy in India, I want to 
recognized the valiant efforts of the people of El Salvador, the hard 
work of their President, Flores and other government officials for 
their tireless efforts. I especially want to commend the dedicated 
people at the Agency for International Development and their Office of 
Foreign Disaster Assistance for their rapid reaction to this disaster 
and for the aid they provided on a moments' notice and continue to 
provide today as Salvador recovers.
  Mr. Speaker, we all recognize the horror of these kinds of tragedies 
and the toll they take on the people of the nation affected. I want to 
salute those brave men and women in both India and El Salvador for the 
sacrifices they have made in these times of tragedy.
  I urge support of this resolution and for the people of India and El 
Salvador.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Latham). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 
15.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. 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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