[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 15733-15734]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         EXPRESSING SYMPATHY FOR VICTIMS OF ALGERIAN EARTHQUAKE

  Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 264) expressing sympathy for the 
victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Algeria on May 21, 
2003.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 264

       Whereas, on the evening of May 21, 2003, a devastating and 
     deadly earthquake of a magnitude of 6.8 on the Richter scale 
     with a depth of 6 miles struck northern Algeria, killing more 
     than 2,260 people, injuring more than 10,000, and leaving 
     more than 200,000 homeless;
       Whereas the earthquake of May 21, 2003, has left thousands 
     of buildings in ruins and has severely disrupted health 
     services, water supply lines, electricity, and 
     telecommunications in Algeria and affected cities;
       Whereas severe aftershocks with magnitudes greater than 4.0 
     have continued to terrify the people of Algeria and hamper 
     rescue efforts;
       Whereas the strength, courage, and determination of the 
     Government and people of Algeria has been displayed since the 
     earthquake;
       Whereas the people of the United States and Algeria share 
     strong friendship and mutual respect;
       Whereas the United States airlifted to the earthquake-
     affected population 17,000 blankets, 1800 tents, electrical 
     equipment, water purification kits, and 3 medical supply kits 
     that will benefit 10,000 people over 3 months;
       Whereas the United States has released $50,000 to the 
     Algerian Red Crescent Society for emergency relief supplies; 
     and
       Whereas the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) 
     launched an emergency appeal for humanitarian and relief 
     assistance to address the devastation caused by the powerful 
     earthquake: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) expresses its deepest sympathies to the people of 
     Algeria and particularly to the families of the victims and 
     the survivors for the tragic losses suffered as a result of 
     the earthquake of May 21, 2003;
       (2) expresses its support for the people and to the 
     Government of Algeria as they continue their efforts to 
     rebuild their cities and their lives;
       (3) expresses support for humanitarian assistance provided 
     by the United States Agency for International Development and 
     other American and international relief organizations;
       (4) recognizes the important role that is being played by 
     the United States and the international community in 
     providing assistance to alleviate the suffering of the people 
     of Algeria; and
       (5) encourages a continued commitment by the United States 
     and other countries and international organizations to the 
     rebuilding of the earthquake-affected areas in Algeria.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. Mr. 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. Res. 264.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Lantos) for bringing H. Res. 264, expressing sympathy for the victims 
of the devastating earthquake that struck Algeria on May 21, 2003, 
before us today.
  As many of you know, on May 21, an earthquake registering 6.8 on the 
Richter scale struck northern Algeria, 45 miles east of the capital of 
Algiers. This was followed with a series of

[[Page 15734]]

aftershocks, five with magnitudes greater than 5.0, and at least 19 
with magnitudes ranging between 4.0 and 4.9. These were the worst 
quakes to strike Algeria since 1980.
  The impact was devastating. 2,268 Algerians were killed, making this 
deadlier than all of the other earthquakes in the world over the past 2 
years combined, including the 2002 earthquake in Afghanistan which 
killed 1,000.
  Thousands of buildings have been destroyed, and health services, 
water supplies, electricity and telecommunications have been severely 
disrupted. Confidence in the government has also been shaken as press 
reports link the high death toll with poor building construction and 
mismanagement of the housing sector.
  The international response to this disaster has been vigorous. The 
U.S. contribution to the relief effort is currently valued at $1.6 
million, including $827,107 in grants and relief supplies from the U.S. 
Agency for International Development Office of Foreign Disaster 
Assistance; $424,000 in relief supplies from the Department of Defense/
Defense Security Cooperation Agency; and $368,000 in relief supplies 
from the Department of Defense/U.S. European Command. For other donors, 
the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and 
the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent 
Societies are taking the lead.
  Through this robust response, major catastrophes have been diverted, 
including cholera outbreaks. However, there is still a long way to go 
on the path towards recovery. Thousands of homes need to be rebuilt, 
and structures able to withstand earthquakes will need to be erected.
  The great American educator, Catherine Beecher, said, ``The delicate 
and infirm go for sympathy, not to the well and buoyant, but to those 
who have suffered like themselves.'' Unfortunately, we Americans are no 
strangers to tragedy and loss.
  Mr. Speaker, the people of Algeria and their government stood with us 
after our own tragedy of September 11, 2001. They have been stalwart 
allies in our war on terrorism, and now it is our turn to aid our 
friends in a time of great need. It is with this in mind that we now 
express our solidarity with and our sympathy for those who have 
suffered in Algeria.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, which I had 
the privilege of writing.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to express at the outset my appreciation to my 
able assistant, Robin Roizman, for working on this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to express my thanks to my colleagues, the 
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Green); the distinguished chairman of our 
committee, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde); the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Pence); and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts), 
for joining me in introducing this important resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 264 expresses the deepest sympathy of the 
American people and of this Congress for the victims of the devastating 
earthquake that struck Algeria on May 21, 2003. This was the most 
tragic earthquake to hit that country in almost a quarter century. With 
a Richter scale reading of 6.8, the earthquake devastated the country, 
severely disrupted its health services, water supply, electricity and 
telecommunications.
  The earthquake and its aftershocks have killed over 2,000 innocent 
people of Algeria, injured over 10,000, and left over 200,000 Algerian 
citizens homeless.
  We immediately responded to this disaster by providing emergency 
humanitarian supplies. My resolution encourages our administration to 
continue providing assistance to the people of Algeria in this very 
difficult time.
  The resolution expresses our sympathy for the Algerian people and 
calls on our administration to monitor conditions there and to continue 
providing all necessary assistance to the government and people of 
Algeria.
  I want to note, Mr. Speaker, that we have in the gallery the 
distinguished Ambassador from Algeria, and I want to express to him 
personally our deep support and commitment to help in these difficult 
days for his country.

                              {time}  1415

  I urge all of my colleagues to support H. Res. 264.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.


                Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Aderholt). All Members are reminded not 
to introduce or refer to people in the balcony.
  Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Green) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 264.
  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. LANTOS. 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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