[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 3]
[HOUS]
[Pages 4042-4050]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



   EXPRESSING SYMPATHY FOR VICTIMS OF DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKES IN EL 
                                SALVADOR

  Mr. BALLENGER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 41) expressing sympathy for 
the victims of the devastating earthquakes that struck El Salvador on 
January 13, 2001, and February 13, 2001, and supporting ongoing aid 
efforts.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 41

       Whereas on the morning of January 13, 2001, a devastating 
     and deadly earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter 
     Scale and a depth of 36 miles occurred off the coast of El 
     Salvador, southwest of San Miguel, killing hundreds of 
     people, injuring thousands of people, and displacing 
     approximately 1,000,000 people;
       Whereas the earthquake has left damage throughout the 
     country, having caused significant landslides and destruction 
     in 12 of El Salvador's 14 provinces;
       Whereas almost 2,000 aftershocks and tremors have been 
     recorded, and they continue to occur;
       Whereas on the morning of February 13, 2001, a second 
     devastating and deadly earthquake occurred with a magnitude 
     of 6.6 on the Richter Scale and an epicenter located 15 miles 
     east-southeast of San Salvador, El Salvador, killing more 
     than 250 people, injuring thousands of people, and leaving 
     thousands of other people homeless;
       Whereas the people of El Salvador have displayed strength, 
     courage, and determination in the aftermath of these 
     earthquakes;
       Whereas the people of the United States and El Salvador 
     have developed a strong friendship based on mutual interests 
     and respect;
       Whereas El Salvador has appealed to the World Bank, the 
     Inter-American Development Bank, and the international 
     community generally for economic assistance to meet the 
     substantial relief and reconstruction needs of that nation in 
     the aftermath of these earthquakes; and
       Whereas the United States has offered technical and 
     monetary assistance through the United States Agency for 
     International Development: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) expresses--
       (A) deep sympathy for the people of El Salvador for the 
     tragic losses suffered as a result of the earthquakes of 
     January 13, 2001, and February 13, 2001; and
       (B) support for the efforts of the people of El Salvador to 
     rebuild their homes and lives;
       (2) expresses support for continuing and substantially 
     increasing, in connection with these earthquakes, relief and 
     reconstruction assistance provided by relief agencies and the 
     international community, including the World Bank, the Inter-
     American Development Bank, and the United States Agency for 
     International Development;
       (3) urges the President to encourage such entities to 
     expedite such assistance; and
       (4) encourages assistance by other nations and 
     organizations to alleviate the suffering of the people of El 
     Salvador and to assist them in rebuilding their homes and 
     lives.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger) and the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Lantos) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
Ballenger).


                             General Leave

  Mr. BALLENGER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 41.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from North Carolina?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BALLENGER. Madam Speaker, I include for the Record the following 
letters from the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the gentleman 
from Ohio (Mr. Oxley):
         House of Representatives, Committee on International 
           Relations,
                                   Washington, DC, March 19, 2001.
     Hon. Michael G. Oxley,
     Chairman, Committee on Financial Services,
     House of Representatives.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I have received your letter concerning 
     H. Con. Res. 41, a resolution expressing sympathy for the 
     victims of the earthquakes in El Salvador. It is our 
     intention that the House consider this legislation on the 
     suspension calendar. The Committee on Financial Services was 
     granted an additional referral on this resolution based on 
     its jurisdiction over international financial and monetary 
     organizations.
       We recognize your jurisdiction, and appreciate your 
     willingness to waive your right to consider this resolution 
     without waiving

[[Page 4043]]

     your jurisdiction over the general subject matter. I will 
     support the Speaker in naming members of your committee as 
     conferees, should it get to conference.
       As you have requested, I will include this exchange of 
     letters in the Congressional Record during consideration of 
     the resolution.
       I appreciate your assistance in getting this important 
     legislation to the floor.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Henry J. Hyde,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                              Committee on Financial Services,

                                   Washington, DC, March 19, 2001.
     Hon. Henry J. Hyde,
     Chairman, Committee on International Relations,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Henry: I understand that you intend to bring H. Con. 
     Res. 41, a resolution expressing sympathy for the victims of 
     the El Salvadoran earthquakes, to the floor for consideration 
     under the suspension calendar. As you know, the Committee on 
     Financial Services was granted an additional referral upon 
     the resolution's introduction pursuant to the Committee's 
     jurisdiction over international financial and monetary 
     organizations under Rule X of the Rules of the House of 
     Representatives.
       Because of the importance of this matter, I recognize your 
     desire to bring this legislation before the House in an 
     expeditious manner and will waive consideration of the 
     resolution by the Financial Services Committee. By agreeing 
     to waive its consideration of the resolution, the Financial 
     Services Committee does not waive its jurisdiction over H. 
     Con. Res. 41. In addition, the Committee on Financial 
     Services reserves its authority to seek conferees on any 
     provisions of the resolution that are within the Financial 
     Services Committee's jurisdiction during any House-Senate 
     conference that may be convened on this legislation. I ask 
     your commitment to support any request by the Committee on 
     Financial Services for conferees on H. Con. Res. 41 or 
     related legislation.
       I request that you include this letter and your response as 
     part of the Congressional Record during consideration of the 
     legislation on the House floor.
       Thank you for your attention to these matters.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Michael G. Oxley,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. BALLENGER. Madam Speaker, I yield 3\1/4\ minutes to the gentleman 
from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), and I commend him for this resolution.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger), my friend, for yielding me the time.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today as the sponsor in support of H. Con. Res. 
41, a resolution which expresses sympathy for the victims of the 
devastating earthquakes that struck El Salvador on January 13, 2001, 
and February 13, 2001, and supports ongoing aid efforts.
  Two devastating and deadly earthquakes rocked the Central American 
nation of El Salvador on January 13 and February 13. The first quake 
measured 7.6 on the Richter scale and had a depth of 96 miles and 
occurred off the El Salvadoran coastline 65 miles southwest of San 
Miguel.
  The second quake measured 6.6 on the Richter scale and had a depth of 
about 20 miles, and it occurred 48 miles east of San Salvador. 
Neighboring countries of Guatemala and Honduras also felt this quake.
  These devastating earthquakes were responsible for over 1,100 deaths 
and more than 8,000 injuries. In addition, the quakes destroyed 150,000 
homes and damaged another 185,000 houses. In total, over 1.5 million El 
Salvadorans have been affected by these national catastrophes.
  The humanitarian needs of our neighbors in El Salvador are 
substantial. El Salvadorans need clean water, health facilities, homes, 
schools and paved roads. These needs are compounded by severe poverty, 
particularly in the rural areas, which affects 63 percent of El 
Salvador's rural families.
  The damage assessments continue to rise. The USAID reports that the 
cost of rebuilding after the two earthquakes will be more than $2.8 
billion. Adding to the devastation are the aftershocks that continue to 
occur in El Salvador.
  The United States Geological Survey reports that hundreds of 
landslides have occurred, making the roads impassable in many places 
around lakes, while debris flowing around such lakes have altered 
drainage patterns which will cause sediment dams to form during the 
rainy season. In addition, many roads and bridges have been washed out 
or blocked by landslides or mudslides.
  As of March 15, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of 
Humanitarian Affairs reports that over 70,000 people lack adequate 
drinking water and must depend on clean water transported by trucks.

                              {time}  1445

  Currently, UNICEF is organizing the distribution of water and working 
closely with the Pan-American Health Organization and the World Health 
Organization.
  After years of brutal civil war and unrest, El Salvador has emerged 
as one of the most stable nations in Latin America. Not only has El 
Salvador developed a thriving economy, but it also has instituted many 
significant democratic reforms. I am deeply concerned that the damage 
and human suffering caused by these earthquakes may threaten the future 
stability and economic success of El Salvador. We cannot allow this 
tragedy to result in socio-political backsliding.
  The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area is home to approximately 
135,000 Salvadoran-Americans, which is the second-largest Salvadoran 
community in the United States, only behind Los Angeles, California. I 
want to take this opportunity to commend the El Salvadoran immigrants 
who live in America, work honest jobs, contribute to our local 
economies, and also save enough to send home to their families in El 
Salvador. Salvadoran immigrants' contributions to their home land is 
laudable and substantial. They send an estimated $2 billion annually to 
their families, making their remittances El Salvador's main source of 
foreign exchange.
  Saint Anthony's of Padua Catholic Church in Falls Church, Virginia, 
is a shining example of the community and the Church working together 
to bring relief to those who need it most. The congregation is where 
5,000 Salvadoran-Americans worship weekly.
  By the end of January, almost $93,000 was collected during the Sunday 
services. Subsequent to this collection, Reverend Father Jose E. Hoyos 
and his congregation have collected food, drinking water, blankets, and 
other basic necessities to distribute to earthquake victims.
  Father Hoyos traveled to El Salvador in early February to inspect the 
damage and to report back to his parishioners on recovery efforts. In 
addition, Father Hoyos brought a check for $88,276 made out to the 
Catholic charity, Caritas, for the archdiocese of San Salvador.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from North 
Carolina (Chairman Ballenger), the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), 
and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley) for their support in quickly 
moving this resolution through their committees.
  Finally, I believe H. Con. Res. 41 is an important resolution that 
deserves the support of every Member, and I urge my colleagues on both 
sides of the aisle to vote in favor of this resolution.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I first would like to commend the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Davis) for introducing this important resolution. I rise 
in strong support of the resolution.
  El Salvador has suffered two devastating earthquakes within the span 
of one single month. The first of these was on the 13th of January at a 
magnitude of 7.6. It killed 827 people, injured about 5,000 others, and 
destroyed or damaged 222,000 homes.
  On February 13, the second earthquake, measuring 6.6, struck El 
Salvador again, causing more death and destruction in this beleaguered 
nation.
  About a million and a half Salvadorans have been affected, almost one 
in every four of the country's population. The equivalent in the United 
States, Madam Speaker, would be that the entire populations of Florida 
and New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois would have been 
affected.
  On top of these two massive earthquakes, Salvadorans are coping with 
scores of smaller quakes, now over 5,000 aftershocks. Of course this 
follows Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and years of civil war preceding it.

[[Page 4044]]

  We must respond on a scale befitting both of the disasters and the 
respect and friendship we have for the people of El Salvador.
  Now, the administration recently announced some additional assistance 
for El Salvador. But many of us feel that this has not been anywhere 
nearly adequate. We were even more surprised and concerned to learn 
that the earthquake aid that President Bush has pledged has simply 
taken away from other priorities in El Salvador and the entire region 
at a time when Latin America has been suffering from a spate of natural 
disasters.
  How long, Madam Speaker, are we going to continue this policy of 
robbing Peter to pay Paul?
  The economies of the affected countries are strained beyond 
endurance, and much of the progress we have made over the past 2 
decades has been reversed. We spent billions during the 1980s to 
promote democracy in these countries. Now is the time to help them move 
forward.
  The President declared our relationship in the Western Hemisphere to 
be a foreign policy priority. Yet, I ask what real commitment is there 
in terms of economic development assistance that we intend to put into 
this region?
  We should vote to pass this resolution today. But more importantly, 
we should commit ourselves to do more and to do it soon.
  I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 41.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BALLENGER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, today we have the resolution before us, H. Con. Res. 
41, which expresses sympathy for all the victims of the two devastating 
earthquakes.
  I would like to say that my wife and I have been working in El 
Salvador for 35 years and have many friends there. A few days after the 
earthquake, we were in our hotel, 10:33 in the evening, and that time 
can be confirmed by several of us that were there, we had an aftershock 
on the seventh floor of the hotel which was rather a fascinating way to 
spend the evening.
  These quakes on the Richter scale, we have all discussed that. I 
would just like to say that, after this disaster and we got back to the 
United States, people in North Carolina have come forward. And this 
people do not know: it was the beginning of their school year. Their 
first school day almost, the earthquake came, and it destroyed over 
1,000 of their schools. So I was able to get volunteers in North 
Carolina to provide three container-loads of school furniture and three 
container-loads of baby diapers. I look forward to this being able to 
help those people, because it truly is a disaster.
  These quakes could not have come at a worse time. Since the end of 
its protracted civil war, El Salvador has been developing a thriving 
economy and instituting democratic reforms, making it one of the most 
promising nations in the region. However, the damage and human 
suffering caused by the earthquakes now threatens the future stability 
and economic success of this nation. Without immediately helping, we in 
the U.S. and elsewhere, the efforts made by El Salvador and its people 
have been made in vain.
  The Department of State and USAID have informed Congress that the 
Bush administration intends to provide $100 million in assistance. 
Additionally, and a very important thing, U.S. Attorney General 
Ashcroft has provided temporary protective status for some 100,000 
undocumented Salvadorans, which allows them to stay here and continue 
to work without the fear of being sent back.
  I urge my colleagues to support passage of this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I am delighted to yield 6 minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Delahunt).
  Mr. DELAHUNT. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
this time.
  Madam Speaker, as others have indicated, this past January and 
February El Salvador was rocked by two major earthquakes and thousands 
of smaller aftershocks. I think it was the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. 
Davis) who sponsored the resolution who indicated that some 1,200 
people were killed and almost 10,000 were injured.
  Thousands of homes have been destroyed, and the country's 
infrastructure has been severely impacted. The property damage alone is 
estimated to be at least $3 billion, according to the most recent 
estimates; and these numbers, while horrific, do not tell the entire 
story.
  I traveled with the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger), my 
friend and the chairman of the subcommittee, to El Salvador in January 
and witnessed the devastation firsthand. We saw people's homes 
destroyed. We saw a neighborhood buried under a side of a mountain. We 
handed out survival packages provided by USAID to hungry and homeless 
families. That was before the February 13 earthquake.
  I think it is very important to understand that these people live in 
desperate fear of continued aftershocks in the coming rainy season, 
which only can mean further devastation in their lives. That 
psychological fear was truly palpable.
  After the brutal civil war and the destruction caused by Hurricane 
Mitch, these latest disasters may seem like more than a people can 
bear. But I want to let my colleagues know that these people are 
resilient. They are brave. They are meeting the challenges. But it is 
so clear that they need additional assistance.
  I think every American, too, should know that all Salvadorans are 
cooperating to rebuild their nation. Everyone from local officials to 
the president is working with one goal in mind, to get El Salvador back 
on its feet.
  As part of that recovery effort, the national government, led by the 
center-right party, the ARENA Party, is working closely with local 
mayors, many of whom are FMLN, a center-left party which includes many 
former guerrillas.
  These are the people who, 15 years ago, were literally at war with 
each other, and they are now working together in close coordination to 
recover from these earthquakes. Of course they have their differences, 
but they are resolving them through a democratic dialogue, much like we 
do every day in this institution.
  So from that perspective, and I know the chairman shares my 
viewpoint, it was a most encouraging trip. The Salvadoran leadership 
representing many diverse political perspectives deserves to be 
commended. After many years, democracy has finally taken root in El 
Salvador. It is in our national interest, and I would submit it is our 
moral responsibility, given our long history and involvement in El 
Salvador to nurture that democracy, to assist them in repairing the 
infrastructure so necessary to advance their economy and their 
fledgling democratic institutions.
  Salvadorans have the will to repair their country, but they need our 
help to do so. So much has been wrecked that they simply cannot repair 
the damage on their own. Now that El Salvador is finally a democracy, 
the kind of democracy that its people dreamed of for years, let us not 
turn our back on them.
  So I urge my colleagues to come together as the Salvadoran people 
have done.
  Madam Speaker, before I sit down, I would be remiss not to note the 
special relationship that two Members of this institution have with the 
people of El Salvador. One, of course, is the gentleman from North 
Carolina (Mr. Ballenger), chairman of the Subcommittee on Western 
Hemisphere. He indicated earlier that he has spent 35 years on El 
Salvador. What he did not speak to is the fact that those 35 years that 
he has been providing diapers and roofs and schoolhouses and desks were 
from his own resources. It is truly a labor of love. I think it is 
important that our colleagues know that the gentleman from North 
Carolina (Chairman Ballenger) and his wife, Donna, are truly held in 
high regard by the Salvadoran people.

[[Page 4045]]

  Of course, I also would be remiss not to acknowledge the gentleman 
from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley), my friend and the leader of the 
Massachusetts delegation. His name is as well known in El Salvador as 
it is in South Boston, for it was the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. 
Moakley), more than any other American, that helped to bring an end to 
the bloodshed in El Salvador.
  So in his absence, I simply want to acknowledge that and to thank the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley) for his courage, for his 
leadership, to let him know that we are proud of him, all of us, and to 
report to him that the Salvadoran people continue to be profoundly 
grateful to his contribution to that nation.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I merely wish to identify myself with the comments 
concerning the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley).
  Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Delahunt) be allowed to control the balance of the 
time on the Democratic side.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BALLENGER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter).

                              {time}  1500

  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I rise as a Member of the majority of 
the Committee on Financial Services and on its behalf to support the 
resolution, H. Con. Res. 41, before us which expresses sympathy for the 
victims of the devastating earthquakes that struck El Salvador on both 
January 13 and February 13 and to express our support for the ongoing 
aid efforts.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to thank and commend the distinguished 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), for introducing this sense of 
the Congress resolution and for his efforts in bringing this measure to 
the House floor today.
  As noted, this expresses sympathy to the people of El Salvador for 
the tragic losses which they have incurred. The gentleman from 
California (Mr. Lantos) and other Members have referred to the two 
massive earthquakes and the hundreds of aftershocks, and also the civil 
war and the hurricane that have been visited upon the people of El 
Salvador.
  Those of us who have visited that country over the years have known 
about the optimism and especially the energy of the Salvadoran people. 
No one knows it better than the gentleman from North Carolina and his 
wife; and as the gentleman from Massachusetts has indicated, they have 
done so much to assist out of their own financial resources and their 
own time.
  As a member of the Committee on Financial Services, we are urging the 
World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and U.S. Agency for 
International Development to accentuate their aid. This Member has been 
in contact and will further contact the executive directors of the 
Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank, as well as the 
leadership of the former, to see what we can do to be of assistance.
  As a member of both the Committee on Financial Services and a member 
of the Committee on International Relations, I urge my colleagues to 
support H. Con. Res. 41, and thank my colleagues for all they have done 
in their efforts in working with the people of El Salvador.
  Mr. DELAHUNT. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman 
from California (Ms. Solis).
  Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the Committee on 
International Relations for bringing this resolution to the floor. I 
have a particular interest in this resolution because I represent well 
over 10,000 Salvadorans who live in my district in Los Angeles, but 
more importantly, because of the suffering that this poor country has 
endured over the last 10 years, whether it be civil wars, Hurricane 
Mitch, or with the recent earthquakes which continue in El Salvador.
  I had the opportunity of meeting with the president of El Salvador, 
along with other colleagues here, to discuss some of the problems that 
they face there; and what I ascertained from that discussion is that we 
need to do better than just provide $52 million in aid that the 
President is going to allow this year, and more than $58 million in the 
following year. We need to put up at least $2 billion to help to 
restore that country's infrastructure.
  Something that I really want to share with Members here, in my 
discussion with President Francisco Flores, he mentioned that yes, they 
are receiving aid from other countries, far more than from our very own 
country; and one of the problems that they are facing is transporting 
those items and goods and disseminating them in the municipalities. So 
while we hear that there is a need to coordinate and work with 
different factions of that country, we still find that there is a 
stifling effect in terms of disseminating that aid.
  I would ask that the United States and our government work quickly to 
provide humanitarian aid, but human resource aid as well to help 
deliver those particular needed items to those many children and 
elderly and people who are now going without protection over their 
heads because they have no roof, they have no shelter.
  Madam Speaker, I want to urge the House to go a step further and 
really work in partnership with the country of El Salvador. El Salvador 
has many, many residents here who are hard-working taxpayers.
  Madam Speaker, I would close my statement by also thanking President 
Bush for granting TPS for an 18-month period because it is very 
important. It is in this spirit that I ask my colleagues to move 
forward and ask for more assistance, to the tune of at least $2 
billion, for those Salvadorans who are in current need of restoration 
and support.
  Mr. BALLENGER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume to offer to the gentlewoman from California that Myers Shipping 
Lines, out of California and out of the East Coast, will be happy to 
deliver at a cut rate, not a free rate, anything that the gentlewoman 
might collect in California.
  Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Virginia 
(Mrs. Jo Ann Davis).
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, as a member of the 
Committee on International Relations, I rise today to speak in support 
of H. Con. Res. 41. It is a resolution that expresses sympathy for the 
victims of the recent and terrible earthquakes in El Salvador.
  Madam Speaker, many people are unaware and uninformed about the 
recent earthquakes. On January 13, 2001, the earthquake struck with a 
terrible thunder; and without a doubt the aftermath shall be felt for 
many years. Landslides, mudslides, aftershocks and tremors continued 
after the first earthquake. Then exactly 1 month later on February 13, 
a second devastating earthquake shook El Salvador.
  El Salvador is a country that is no longer itself. It is a country 
that has been transformed by terrible and irreversible events. Without 
our help, it will be unable to recover, and the result will be 
thousands upon thousands of displaced persons.
  Throughout our history, Americans have always been a people who 
extended their hands to those in need. After World War II, we extended 
our hands through the Marshall Plan. After the Korean War, we helped to 
rebuild South Korea. Now after this tragedy, we must help El Salvador.
  Madam Speaker, this concurrent resolution accomplishes two basic 
goals. It expresses our sympathy and solidarity with the people of El 
Salvador. At the same time, it encourages support for ongoing relief 
and reconstruction assistance offered by the United States, other 
nations, and multinational organizations.
  I am not one to blindly support the efforts of these multinational 
organizations, but in this case the direct reconstruction aid offered 
by them can only

[[Page 4046]]

result in good. At the same time, I must clarify that I am strongly 
opposed to the United Nations' population fund effort in El Salvador to 
distribute reproductive health kits.
  Madam Speaker, 1,159 people have lost their lives and 70,000 people 
are without drinking water. Only by offering the real assistance 
required and so easily provided by a country with our resources shall 
we be able to preserve and expand democracy for our posterity.
  Madam Speaker, now is the time. We must pass House Concurrent 
Resolution 41. The gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) has given us 
this opportunity to extend our own hand in friendship to a neighbor. We 
must reach out and grasp theirs.
  Mr. DELAHUNT. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Maine (Mr. Baldacci).
  Mr. BALDACCI. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
this time and for that generous introduction.
  I would also like to thank the ranking member from Massachusetts for 
his leadership here on the floor, and also for the leadership that the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley) has given all of us in 
regards to El Salvador and so many other issues for a long time.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution and offer my 
strong support to the people of El Salvador as they rebuild their 
lives, their homes, and their communities from the havoc created by two 
disastrous earthquakes, one on January 13 and the other on February 13. 
These disasters resulted in the deaths of several hundred people, with 
thousands of injured, and over a million homeless or displaced.
  I had the opportunity to meet yesterday with a group of young people 
in my district who are members of a youth organization affiliated with 
Peace through Inter-American Action based in Bangor, Maine. These 
students are working with their counterparts in El Salvador to forge 
practical solutions to a range of domestic and foreign policy problems.
  Last year, they hosted three young people from El Salvador, and the 
group plans to send a delegation there this summer. The importance of 
their mission is heightened by the current efforts to rebuild El 
Salvador after these devastating earthquakes.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important humanitarian 
resolution.
  Mr. BALLENGER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I rise today to add my voice to 
the chorus of voices from this House expressing our condolences to the 
people of El Salvador. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, 
those who died, were injured, displaced by the earthquake and 
aftershocks last January and February. Our thoughts are also with those 
worldwide who have committed to lend relief and assistance to those 
affected by this disaster.
  We in the United States appreciate the support of other countries 
when such disasters happen here, and I am proud that Americans are 
among those who are helping El Salvador, both by providing immediate 
relief but also by studying what happened during and after the quakes. 
By increasing our understanding of the mechanics of earthquakes, we 
increase our chances of mitigating the damage of future quakes 
worldwide.
  Inevitably, there will be lessons learned from these disasters, as 
there are with others, including our own. It is important for us in the 
United States to continue to study these quakes to help mitigate the 
risks they pose. Let us not forget, earthquakes are a threat to nearly 
75 million people in 39 States in the U.S.
  Institutions and Federal programs, like the National Earthquake 
Hazard Reduction Program, do a credible job of contributing to our 
store of knowledge about the causes and effects of earthquakes and can 
reduce vulnerability to them through engineering research and new 
building design.
  Technology also holds the promise of providing additional real-time 
warning of an earthquake to countries around the world. Indeed, 
countries working together have the potential of improving earthquake 
advance warnings. Additional seconds of advanced warning can mean the 
mitigation of destruction and can mean the difference between life and 
death. Our Subcommittee on Research, in the Committee on Science, will 
address some of these issues at a hearing tomorrow in room 2318 at 2 
p.m.
  The point I make, Madam Speaker, is we must not only help now but 
develop and share new technology with the rest of the world. The people 
of El Salvador have shown great courage and strength in dealing with 
the effects of this disaster. They deserve our deep sympathy and 
support, and I join my colleagues in supporting this resolution.
  Mr. DELAHUNT. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I thank the distinguished 
gentleman from Massachusetts for yielding me this time, who has shown 
such an interest throughout Latin America, and to the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger), who has really personally extended 
himself to make a real difference in the lives of millions of people in 
Latin America and particularly in El Salvador.
  I am glad to obviously support this resolution expressing sympathy 
for the victims of the devastating earthquakes, two of them, with 
approximately 1,200 people having been killed, injuring thousands more, 
and displacing over a million individuals. El Salvador has faced 
unbelievable hardships and challenges over the last several years. 
Think about Hurricane Mitch just 2 years ago, and now two deadly 
earthquakes just seem like a horrible twist of fate.
  It is encouraging to see that the Bush administration is granting 
extension of the temporary protected status for Salvadorans living in 
the United States. That affects thousands of Salvadorans in my district 
alone, who are working very hard not just to make ends meet for their 
own families but to give everything they can possibly afford back to 
their country people in El Salvador. In yesterday's Washington Post, 
they estimated that as much as $2 billion is being sent home.
  Now, that might be one thing if it was coming from some constituents, 
for example the Irish in America, who by now ought to be doing pretty 
well, but this is coming from the Salvadorans, who are in very low-paid 
work. I caused a little laugh there; but everybody knows it is true, 
and we ought to do more. But this is coming from people who are really 
providing underpinning for our economy. They are certainly contributing 
more than they are taking out of our economy; and yet with everything 
they can afford, they are sending it back.
  My point is they are doing their part. We need to do our part for our 
neighbors. What we really need, as important as this resolution of 
sympathy is, we need a supplemental of a substantial amount to help the 
people in El Salvador. We ought to do it now. We put $6 billion into 
supporting right-wing dictatorships. Now that they have a stable 
economy and society, we ought to provide substantial funds to help our 
neighbors.

                              {time}  1515

  Mr. BALLENGER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Maryland (Mrs. Morella).
  Mrs. MORELLA. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
this time, and I thank him for his sponsorship of this legislation, as 
I also thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) and the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Delahunt), who has also been a leader 
in this, and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley) and the 
others.
  I am a sponsor of this legislation and have, like many of my 
colleagues, been to El Salvador and seen the difficulties that these 
very brave people have every single day. To think that they believe in 
esperanza, hope, demonstrates how brave they are. They believe in 
family. They believe in hard work. They believe in sharing.
  I want to join my colleagues in expressing my sympathy for the 
victims

[[Page 4047]]

and their families of this devastating earthquake that struck El 
Salvador in January.
  As of February 2, the National Emergency Committee of El Salvador 
reported over 1,000 deaths, over 4,000 injured, and over 1 million 
people that have been made homeless. This earthquake was particularly 
destructive because of its widespread impact which caused damage 
throughout 12 of the country's 14 provinces. In fact, the earthquake 
has affected 20 percent of El Salvador's citizens.
  Emergency relief to our neighbors has not been sufficient to deal 
with the extent of the destruction and human suffering that the people 
of El Salvador continue to endure. Beyond simply providing emergency 
relief, the cost of reconstruction will be extensive and long lasting. 
In my community, there are many Salvadorans, many who are now American 
citizens, who are helping. Also, my county and State have joined 
forces, just as all Americans should, to help.
  I want to commend the President for his demonstration of kindness to 
the President of El Salvador, Francisco Flores, when he granted 
temporary protected status to the nationals of El Salvador who are 
currently residing in the United States.
  We, too, can lend a hand to those suffering from this tragedy. I 
encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution and 
any further efforts to improve the conditions for our neighbors in 
need.
  Mr. DELAHUNT. Madam Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the 
distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), who has had a 
long and abiding interest in matters in Central and Latin America and 
the former ranking member of the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, 
Export Financing and Related Programs.
  Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time and for his leadership in providing assistance to the people in El 
Salvador at this very difficult time. I want to commend the gentleman 
from North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger) as well for his leadership on this. 
It is a very important issue.
  I know about earthquakes, coming from San Francisco, and I know about 
El Salvador because I have had a long interest there. In fact, Madam 
Speaker, my first speech on the floor was about El Salvador, following 
the lead of our great chairman then of the Committee on Rules, the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley).
  The gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley) has again exercised 
leadership, sending a letter signed by 75 colleagues to President Bush 
asking for significant multiyear assistance for El Salvador. While 
there is a strong initial response to the crisis, we go through this, 
those of us in earthquake territory, the emergency response and a 
strong emotional response from the world, there is no initiative to 
assist in a longer term with assistance and reconstruction. President 
Flores has estimated that the relief and reconstruction efforts will 
cost well over a billion dollars from the international community.
  El Salvador has a special significance for the American people. 
Approximately 1 million Salvadorans live in the United States, 
thousands of them in my district, I am proud to say. Our nations have 
close historical ties. We should do everything in our power, and that 
is significant, everything in our power, to provide sustainable 
development assistance to lift up the Salvadoran people out of this 
devastation.
  Our distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. 
Bereuter), earlier mentioned, and many of us who visited El Salvador 
can agree, about the optimism and the spirit of the Salvadoran people. 
They are ready to lift themselves up, but they need some help. In 
coordination with the international community, we must provide a long-
term reconstruction assistance package aimed at the areas of housing, 
crop assistance, clean water and health care.
  Madam Speaker, there are many heroes involved in this effort. I named 
the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley), who has long been a 
hero on the subject of El Salvador, actually joined by his staff 
person, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), when he was on 
his staff, now a hero in the Congress on this issue in his own right. I 
commend them, USAID, the Red Cross, the World Bank, UNICEF, the Inter-
American Development Bank, UNDP, OXFAM and World Vision for the 
important roles that they play.
  I once again commend the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Delahunt) 
for his very important leadership on this issue.
  Mr. DELAHUNT. Madam Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the 
gentleman from Worcester, Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), my dear friend 
and also a leader prior to his coming to Congress on issues involving 
El Salvador.
  Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Delahunt), for yielding me the time and for his 
incredible leadership on this issue. I also want to thank my colleague, 
the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger), for his leadership.
  I rise in strong support of this resolution.
  I have often thought that the people of El Salvador are constantly 
being tested. After having survived more than 12 years of a brutal 
civil war, a peace agreement was reached; and the people of El Salvador 
began to rebuild their country. In October of 1998, the country was hit 
by Hurricane Mitch. In November of 1999, I traveled with the gentleman 
from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley) to the region of the Lower Lempa 
River. There we saw firsthand how hard the people, very poor people, 
were working to rebuild their communities. Quite frankly, their 
courage, commitment and community spirit was inspiring. And, while 
still in the throes of recovering from Hurricane Mitch, El Salvador, in 
the space of 30 days, was brutally battered not by just one major 
earthquake but by two. In addition, over 2,000 aftershocks have rocked 
this tiny country.
  We have heard the statistics from previous speakers. As the facts 
come in, the harsh reality is that once again the poorest sector of the 
country, the most vulnerable, and the rural poor have suffered the 
greatest loss in terms of housing and economic survival. Nearly 20 
percent of the population was rendered homeless by the two earthquakes, 
and finding adequate housing for them will be a major challenge. If we 
do not do something to help reactivate the rural community, the rural 
poor will move even more quickly to the slums of San Salvador and to 
the United States.
  To revive the local economy, people need houses and help to plant 
their next harvest, to restart their small microenterprises and a long-
term plan to lift them out of poverty. And worse is yet to come. Soon 
the rainy season will start. Over 570 landslides resulted from the 
first earthquake in January. More followed the second earthquake.
  This bill calls upon the international community to respond, quickly 
and generously. It also calls upon us all to respond not only to the 
urgent emergency needs of El Salvador but to commit ourselves to the 
longer term work of reconstruction.
  Madam Speaker, I strongly support this call. I want to urgently 
underscore the need for the United States to lead the international 
community in the effort to rebuild El Salvador by providing our own 
long-term and generous contribution to El Salvador's recovery, 
reconstruction and development. As my colleague from Virginia said 
earlier, the United States played a very major role in El Salvador in 
the 1980s, a role, quite frankly, that I questioned whether it was the 
right role for us to play, but we owe this country a great deal, and I 
think the very least we need to do is come forward and help them during 
this very difficult time.
  I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 41, and I wish to thank the strong 
bipartisan coalition of members who have worked to bring this bill to 
the floor especially Representative Davis of Virginia, Representatives 
Ballenger and Delahunt, Chairman Hyde and Ranking Member Lantos.
  I have often thought that the people of El Salvador are constantly 
being tested. After

[[Page 4048]]

having survived more than twelve years of a brutal civil war, a peace 
agreement was reached and the people of El Salvador began to rebuild 
their country. In October 1998, the country was hit by Hurricane Mitch. 
In November 1999, I traveled with Congressman Joe Moakley to the region 
of the Lower Lempa River. There, we saw first-hand how hard the 
people--very poor people--were working to rebuild their communities. 
Quite frankly, their courage, commitment and community spirit was 
inspiring.
  And, while still in the throes of recovering from Hurricane Mitch, El 
Salvador, in the space of thirty days, was brutally battered not by 
just one major earthquake, but by two. In addition, over 2,000 
aftershocks have rocked this tiny country.
  You have heard the statistics from previous speakers. As the facts 
come in, the harsh reality is that once again the poorest sector of the 
country, the most vulnerable, and the rural poor have suffered the 
greatest loss in terms of housing and economic survival. Nearly 20% of 
the population was rendered homeless by the two earthquakes and finding 
adequate housing for them will be a major challenge. If we don't do 
something to help reactivate the rural economy, the rural poor will 
move even more quickly to the slums of El Salvador and to the United 
States.
  To revive the local economy, people need houses, and help to plant 
their next harvest and to restart their small micro-enterprises, and a 
long-term plan to lift them out of poverty.
  And worse is yet to come. Soon, the rainy season will start. Over 570 
landslides resulted from the first earthquake in January. With the 
rains, earth barely holding onto the tops and sides of hills and 
mountains will slide down on rural communities. The homeless, protected 
now only by plastic sheeting, will be even more vulnerable to the 
elements.
  This bill calls upon the international community to respond--quickly 
and generously. It also calls upon us all to respond not only to the 
urgent emergency needs of El Salvador, but to commit ourselves to the 
longer-term work of reconstruction.
  I support this call.
  After the 1986 earthquake, President Reagan approved $50 million in 
emergency aid. Three months later, the Congress approved an additional 
$98 million. We can do no less now when the nation-wide effects of the 
January and February 2001 earthquakes are so much more severe than 
those experienced in 1986.
  I want to urgently underscore the need for the United States to lead 
the international community in the effort to rebuild El Salvador by 
providing our own long term and generous contribution to El Salvador's 
recovery, reconstruction and development.
  I urge support of this important bill.

               [From the Washington Post, Feb. 23, 2001]

                         Supporting El Salvador

       It wasn't so long ago that day-to-day events in El Salvador 
     were capable of commanding Washington's attention. Now even a 
     major natural disaster in that country close to our borders 
     can go virtually unheeded. In the past six weeks El Salvador 
     has suffered not one but two large earthquakes that have 
     destroyed a large part of the country outside San Salvador, 
     killed at least 1,100 people and left at least 1.3 million 
     homeless in a population of only 6 million. Yet so far the 
     country that has taken the lead in foreign assistance is . . 
     . Spain, which has contributed $25 million in emergency 
     relief and organized a donor conference in Madrid next month. 
     The United States, in contrast, has offered only $10 million 
     so far; the Bush administration says that any additional aid 
     will have to be drawn from existing aid budgets.
       This is a poor showing, given both the needs and the past 
     and present ties of the United States to El Salvador. The 
     earthquake threatens to reverse years of recent progress: 
     Officials say that some 120,000 homes have been destroyed, 
     along with scores of schools, local health clinics, roads and 
     agricultural crops. Preliminary studies by the United Nations 
     and the U.S. Agency for International Development suggest 
     that reconstruction costs could rise to $3 billion--or about 
     $2,000 for every person in a country where the per capita 
     income is only $1,100. Unless a vigorous reconstruction 
     program is launched in the coming months, much of the 
     country's economy may simply collapse--likely sending a large 
     new wave of refugees northward.
       In 1986, when Central America was at war and a focus of 
     U.S. policy, a smaller earthquake struck San Salvador. Then-
     Secretary of State George Shultz immediately visited the 
     country to pledge $50 million in emergency aid, and Congress 
     followed up with another $98 million in reconstruction funds. 
     With U.S. help, San Salvador rebuilt and over the next few 
     years successfully ended its war with Marxist insurgents, 
     establishing a democracy that has remained stable. Meanwhile, 
     hundreds of thousands of Salvadorans have settled in the 
     United States, and the $1.7 billion they send home every year 
     is a mainstay of the economy.
       Salvadoran President Francisco Flores will be visiting 
     Washington next week in search not only of U.S. help for 
     reconstruction but an administration decision to grant 
     ``temporary protected status'' to undocumented Salvadorans 
     now in the United States. This measure, which would shield 
     Salvadorans from deportation and allow them to work legally 
     for a limited time, would likely lead to a large increase in 
     remittances; it was used to help Honduras and Nicaragua after 
     Hurricane Mitch in 1998. The Bush administration should 
     embrace this legal relief as well as substantial new aid--and 
     demonstrate that the United States is committed to an El 
     Salvador that is peaceful and democratic, and not only to one 
     at war.
                                  ____

                                                February 20, 2001.
     Hon. George W. Bush,
     President of the United States of America, The White House, 
         1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC.
       Dear President Bush: The earthquake that shook El Salvador 
     on January 13th and February 13th have had devastating 
     consequences for a country recently hit by Hurricane Mitch, 
     and only beginning to recover from twelve years of civil war. 
     More than 1200 people were killed in the earthquake. 
     Estimates vary about how many homes were destroyed--although 
     recent estimates put the number at about 300,000. This means 
     that over a million people, more than 15% of the population, 
     are homeless. Some are living in refugee camps and shelters, 
     and some are simply sleeping outdoors. There are tremendous 
     humanitarian needs.
       This tragedy has a special meaning for U.S. citizens--as 
     many as a million Salvadorans live here, and El Salvador is 
     one of our closest neighbors. What happens there will affect 
     us, and we should do what we can to help our neighbor 
     recover.
       We applaud the efforts that USAID and other agencies of the 
     U.S. government undertook in response to the immediate 
     emergency in El Salvador: sending teams to help dig people 
     out of the rubble, helping with air transport to areas 
     blocked off by landslides, providing emergency food packages, 
     providing temporary housing, etc.
       But El Salvador faces difficult long-term challenges. 
     Housing must be re-built, infrastructure repaired and 
     replaced. Environmental problems that increased the severity 
     of the impact of the earthquake must be addressed. And the 
     long-term problems of poverty, especially rural poverty, 
     which have made El Salvador so vulnerable to natural 
     disasters, must be overcome. Rebuilding El Salvador after the 
     earthquake will require a long-term commitment by the 
     Salvadoran people and the Salvadoran government.
       Following Hurricane Mitch in October, 1998, the United 
     States joined with other international donors to make a 
     substantial commitment to reconstruction in the region. In 
     addition to generous financial support, the donors adopted a 
     set of important principles to guide their reconstruction 
     efforts. According to these principles, reduction of social 
     and environmental vulnerability, transparency and 
     accountability, decentralization, democracy, debt relief, and 
     human rights are key to the effective reconstruction and 
     transformation of the region. We believe that the same 
     generosity and the same principles should guide our response 
     to the earthquake in El Salvador.
       We urge you to support mid-term and long-term development 
     assistance that will enable economically and environmentally 
     sustainable reconstruction in El Salvador.
       This will require Congressional support for increased 
     funding of USAID programs for reconstruction in El Salvador 
     over a period of several years.
       In addition, it is our view that the extensive damage and 
     negative effects of the earthquake warrant a designation of 
     Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador. As you 
     know, Congress has authorized the Attorney General to grant 
     TPS to nationals of a country if they would face ``on-going 
     armed conflict,'' ``natural disaster,'' or ``extraordinary 
     temporary conditions'' if returned to their homeland. A TPS 
     designation stays deportation of designated nationals and 
     grants them work authorization for a specific amount of time, 
     either six, twelve, or eighteen months. In this situation, a 
     TPS designation would ensure that Salvadorans in this country 
     could work and send important remittances back to relatives 
     in El Salvador to assist in the reconstruction.
       Thank you for your attention to our concerns, and for your 
     support of our neighbors in El Salvador.
           Sincerely,
       Ambassador Robert E. White, President, Center for 
     International Policy.
       Jose Artiga, Executive Director, SHARE Foundation.
       Raymond C. Offenheiser, President, Oxfam America.
       Rev. Elenora Giddings Ivory, Director, Washington Office, 
     Presbyterian Church (USA).
       Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church and 
     Society, United Methodist Church.
       Raul Yzaguirre, President, National Council of La Raza.

[[Page 4049]]

       Rev. Bob Edgar, General Secretary, National Council of the 
     Churches of Christ in the USA.
       Nancy Lindborg, Acting CEO, MercyCorps.
       Father Charles Currie, SJ, Director, Association of Jesuit 
     Colleges and Universities.
       Rabbi Dan Polish, Director, Commission on Social Action of 
     Reform Judaism.
       Rev. John McCullough, Executive Director, Church World 
     Service.
       Marie Dennis, Director, Maryknoll Office for Global 
     Concerns.
       George Vickers, Executive Director, Washington Office on 
     Latin America.
       Kathy Thornton, RSM, National Coordinator, NETWORK, A 
     National Catholic Social Justice Lobby.
       Bev Abma, Disaster Response Administrator, Christian 
     Reformed World Relief Committee.
       Tom Hart, Director of Government Relations, The Episcopal 
     Church.
       Wesley P. Callender, Director, Voices on the Border.
       Jim Matlack, Director, Washington Office American Friends 
     Service Committee.
       Rev. Mark B. Brown, Asst. Director, International Affairs 
     and Human Rights, Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs, 
     Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
       Dr. John L. Williams, President & CEO, Holt International 
     Children's Services.
       Steve Bennett, Executive Director, Witness for Peace.
       Linda Shelly, Program Director for Latin America/Caribbean, 
     Mennonite Central Committee.
       Dr. Valora Washington, Executive Director, Unitarian 
     Universalist Service Committee.
       Kathryn Wolford, President, Lutheran World Relief.
       Paul Montacute, Director, Baptist World Aid, Baptist World 
     Alliance.
       Ralston H. Deffenbaugh, President, Lutheran Immigration and 
     Refugee Service.
       William Goodfellow, Executive Director, Center for 
     International Policy.
       Angela Kelley, Deputy Director, National Immigration Forum.
       Barbara Larcom, Coordinator, Casa Baltimore/Limay.
       Greg Laszakovits, Director, Church of the Brethren, 
     Washington Office.
       John Lindsay-Poland, Director, Fellowship of Reconciliation 
     Task Force on Latin America and the Caribbean.
       Kathy Ogle, Coordinator, Ecumenical Program on Central 
     America and the Caribbean (EPICA).
       The Rev. Dr. Theodore F. Schneider, Bishop, Metropolitan 
     Washington, DC, Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
       Margaret Swedish, Director, Religious Task Force on Central 
     America and Mexico.
       Edith Villastrigo, Legislative Director, Women Strike for 
     Peace.
       David A. Velasquez, President & CEO, DBFS International, 
     LLC.
       Rev. Bill Quigly, Missionhurst-CICM, Office of the 
     Provincial.
       Deborah Sanders, Capitol Area Immigrants' Rights, 
     Coalition.
       Martha Pierce, Director, Chicago Metropolitan Sanctuary 
     Alliance.
       Gary Cozette, Director, Chicago Religious Leadership 
     Network on Latin America.
       Alice Zachman, Director, Guatemala Human Rights, 
     Commission/USA.
       Cristina Espinel and Barbara Gerlach, Co-Chair, Colombia 
     Human Rights Committee.
       Rev. Kim Erno, Chair, The Latin America Task Force of the 
     Metropolitan Washington, DC, Synod Evangelical Lutheran 
     Church in America.

  Mr. GUTIERREZ. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the important 
resolution considered on the Floor of the House today expressing the 
deep sympathy of Congress for the people of El Salvador and for the 
tragic losses suffered as a result of the earthquakes of January 13 and 
February 13, 2001.
  I strongly support the continuing and substantial increase of relief 
and reconstruction assistance provided by representatives of the 
international community as well as the United States.
  As we all know, in a cruel act of fate, two powerful earthquakes hit 
Central America this winter causing catastrophic losses in El Salvador. 
The full extent of the damage is still difficult to fathom. In all, 
these catastrophic natural occurrences left at least 1,200 people dead. 
More than one million people have been declared homeless. An estimated 
200,000 homes were destroyed. Roads and bridges were completely washed 
out or severely damaged by the landslides. Many school and health care 
facilities had to be closed. Running and clean water is much needed. 
Most of the agricultural supply has been severely threatened. Moreover, 
survivors are threatened by serious epidemic and disease. Such an 
environmental disaster has resulted in a substantial and immediate 
disruption of living conditions in El Salvador and warrants our 
government's continued support and assistance. In short, the needs of 
El Salvador at this time are enormous and we need to act accordingly 
and generously.
  I applaud the decision announced by the Immigration and 
Naturalization Service (INS) following this tragedy to grant Temporary 
Protected Status (TPS) to all Salvadoran nationals living in this 
country. This will be a relief for many Salvadorans who depend 
financially on their relatives living in the United States.
  On March 7, I joined more than fifty of my colleagues to ask the 
President to address the needs of El Salvador in this time of need. We 
requested that the administration develop a significant multi-year 
relief package for El Salvador, targeted toward areas of housing, crop 
assistance, clean water and health care. We suggest that this plan be 
considered as part of an emergency supplemental appropriations bill. We 
will continue to press the administration to act accordingly.
  The resolution we are adopting today is a step in the right direction 
and one of many that should be taken by this House to provide a 
compassionate and generous response from the United States toward El 
Salvador to help maintain the stability of the entire region.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak on 
behalf of those I represent for the people of El Salvador. I am 
saddened that El Salvador was struck by the devastating earthquake on 
January 13th and February 13th of this year. These earthquakes 
tragically ripped through El Salvador.
  Madam Speaker, this earthquake is not the first time in recent memory 
that a natural disaster has brought devastation on such a wide scale to 
the people of El Salvador. In addition to this terrible earthquake, 
there has also been a serious outbreak of dengue fever, which is a very 
debilitating disease. And it was only two years ago that Hurricane 
Mitch tore through Central America, leaving an unbearable toll on an 
already fragile region. In the countries of El Salvador, Honduras, and 
Nicaragua, more than 11,000 lives were swept away in the rain, winds, 
and massive landslides that Mitch wrought. In some areas, more than 70 
percent of crops were demolished. The price tag of that devastating 
hurricane soared to more than $4 billion once a full accounting was 
made.
  Madam Speaker, the people of El Salvador never lost hope in the wake 
of the devastation wrought by Mitch. They worked to improve their 
lives. They rebuilt roads, and schools, and homes. They began to 
address the needs of citizens dealing with painful losses and an 
uncertain future. They began to pull themselves, with the help of 
international monetary and humanitarian assistance. These earthquakes 
simply threaten to stifle the development and progress El Salvador has 
made.
  We cannot and should not ask the government of El Salvador, or their 
people, to walk the path toward recovery alone. We must not turn away 
from their suffering, but rather must respond swiftly and effectively.
  I am pleased that the United States Government is actively 
participating in these international efforts through the work of USAID. 
To date, USAID assistance to El Salvador totals more than $5 million, 
the majority of which was allocated for temporary shelter programs. In 
addition, the World Food Programme has provided 900 metric tons of 
rations, the International Federation of the Red Cross has released 
$100,000 of disaster relief funds as well as sent a delegation of 
relief workers to assist the 1,200 person Salvadoran Red Cross. Every 
ounce of help from the international community helps.
  Madam Speaker, the people of El Salvador need our help. We have 
assisted many nations in desperate times of need. As a Nation of 
immigrants, we are well aware of the strong ties between El Salvador 
and the United States. Those ties have flourished in our Nation as the 
Salvadoran community has grown and prospered. Let us all do our share 
in helping rebuild and develop the affected areas that were struck by 
the earthquake.
  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Madam Speaker, I rise to in strong support of H. 
Con. Res 41, of which I am a proud sponsor. This resolution sends an 
important message of support to the people of El Salvador, who are 
experiencing great hardship as a result of recent earthquakes.
  Most of us will never know the heartbreaking trauma of losing 
everything important to us--possessions, homes, and especially loved 
ones--within a span of 30 seconds.
  This resolution is necessary to publicly express our country's deep 
sympathy for the plight of El Salvadorans and to highlight the critical 
need for the timely delivery of much-needed relief and reconstruction 
assistance from the international community.
  The United States is a Nation fortunate enough to be rich in 
resources and, I believe, rich in compassion. Therefore, I would like 
to take this opportunity to encourage our own Federal Government and 
others across the Nation to join international efforts to provide El 
Salvador with needed resources for recovery.
  In this time of crisis, the Salvadorans have acted with amazing 
courage and strength. I

[[Page 4050]]

urge all of my colleagues to join me in expressing our support to the 
people of El Salvador who are trying to rebuild their lives and their 
communities, by passing this resolution.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the legislation 
before the House, H. Con. Res. 41, which speaks on behalf of the good 
people of El Salvador who are struggling to recover from two 
devastating earthquakes that struck the nation in January and February 
of this year.
  I commend the author of the resolution, the gentleman from Virginia, 
Mr. Davis, and the Chairman and Ranking Democratic Member of the House 
International Relations Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, Mr. Ballenger 
and Mr. Menendez, for introducing this important measure. I further 
commend the Chairman and Ranking Democratic Member of the International 
Relations Committee, Mr. Hyde and Mr. Lantos, for their leadership in 
bringing the legislation to the floor. I am honored to join our 
colleagues in expressing concern and sympathy for the victims of the 
earthquakes in El Salvador and to support ongoing aid and relief 
efforts.
  Madam Speaker, the people of El Salvador have had more than their 
share of suffering. In recent decades, El Salvador has been torn apart 
by civil war, a deadly and costly conflict which claimed the lives of 
more than 70,000 men, women and children before a peace accord was 
reached in 1992.
  A little over two years ago, one of the most destructive natural 
disasters ever to hit the region, Hurricane Mitch, wreaked havoc on El 
Salvador. In the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch's 180 mph winds and 
massive flooding, El Salvador and her neighbors, Nicaragua and 
Honduras, lost over 11,000 citizens with damages totaling over $4 
billion.
  Madam Speaker, despite these major setbacks, the people of El 
Salvador have worked diligently and courageously to rebuild their 
nation and democracy. It is a tragedy and cruel fate that they have had 
to suffer once again.
  On January 13th of this year, a huge earthquake registering 7.6 on 
the Richter Scale struck off the coast of El Salvador, southwest of the 
city of San Miguel. Exactly a month later, a second crushing earthquake 
with a magnitude of 6.6 struck east of San Salvador.
  Madam Speaker, these devastating earthquakes have taken a tremendous 
toll on the people of El Salvador and resulted in a humanitarian 
catastrophe.
  Over 1,500 Salvadorans have lost their lives, with thousands more 
injured. At least 200,000 homes have been destroyed, displacing over a 
million Salvadorans. More than fifteen hundred schools and dozens of 
hospitals, as well as essential segments of the country's 
infrastructure including water systems and the Pan-American Highway, 
have been badly damaged.
  The destruction to El Salvador is estimated to exceed $2 billion in 
costs.
  Madam Speaker, I would urge our colleagues to adopt this legislation 
which evidences our heartfelt concern for the people of El Salvador and 
their tragic losses.
  The legislation further supports relief efforts of the United States 
Agency for International Development for El Salvador's reconstruction, 
along with the assistance of the World Bank, the Inter-American 
Development Bank and the international community.
  To this effect, I commend President Bush for committing $110 million 
in relief aid when meeting early this month with the President of El 
Salvador, Francisco Flores. This is a good beginning but more aid is 
needed. Also important has been President Bush's work permit initiative 
for Salvadoran immigrants, which has allowed many Salvadorans to 
continue sending home substantial sums for reconstruction efforts in El 
Salvador.
  Madam Speaker, I urge passage of the measure before us.
  Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, today I must vote against HCR 41. While I 
certainly offer my personal sympathy to the victims in El Salvador, and 
also join in encouraging relief agencies to increase their assistance 
to these individuals, I cannot support this resolution.
  In the past I have complained that similar bills have come to the 
House Floor without going through the committee process. In this 
instance the committees were included and I applaud the Chairman for 
ensuring we had an opportunity to discuss this issue at committee. I am 
also grateful to the committee staff who worked with me in helping 
facilitate that discussion.
  At the subcommittee I introduced an amendment for discussion purposes 
only. That amendment would have deleted the specific references to 
governmental assistance contained in this bill. Had that amendment been 
adopted I could have supported this resolution. Simply, I believe it is 
not proper for us to force taxpayers in this country to provide this 
kind of assistance by having the IRS collect these funds. Next, I 
believe that the Red Cross, for example, would not only be a more 
sympathetic entity for the purposes of collecting funds used for 
relief, but also that it would be a more efficient distributor of such 
funds than are the plethora of government agencies referenced in this 
resolution.
  Mr. BALLENGER. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. 
Res. 41.
  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. DELAHUNT. Madam 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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