[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 19444]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           HURRICANE KATRINA

  (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I recognize that FEMA's immediate 
focus is to provide relief for the victims in the Gulf States, but I 
take this time to ask the agency to reconsider its decision to deny 
South Florida individual assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane 
Katrina. As my Florida colleagues and I stated in a letter to the FEMA 
director, he has the authority to provide such assistance and I urge 
him promptly to do so.
  I commend our Governor, Jeb Bush, for his efforts in deploying 
personnel and equipment to the impacted States, and I especially 
applaud his strong actions against price gouging. Members of Florida's 
extensive team of emergency response vessel crews, search and rescue 
teams, National Guardsmen and emergency management officials will 
continue to deploy from Florida to support operations in the impacted 
areas. These efforts represent Florida's largest State-to-State 
assistance in history. South Florida was devastated by Hurricane Andrew 
13 years ago. We understand how long it will take for these Gulf State 
victims to recover economically, physically, and emotionally.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to speak 
about the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
  I come from an area and a State that knows first hand the tragedy and 
suffering that can be caused by a hurricane of the magnitude of 
Katrina.
  It is therefore from within this deep understanding that we extend 
our thoughts and prayers to all whose lives have been affected by this 
deadly disaster.
  I fully support providing all the necessary assistance and funding 
and emphasize the need to use every available resource to aid all the 
victims of Hurricane Katrina.
  I recognize that FEMA's immediate focus is to provide relief for the 
victims in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, but ask FEMA to 
reconsider its decision to deny South Florida Individual Assistance in 
the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
  As my colleagues and I stated in a letter to Undersecretary Michael 
Brown, FEMA has the authority to provide such individual assistance and 
should promptly exercise such authority.
  I am pleased that the State of Florida has responded so quickly to 
New Orleans and Mississippi.
  The State has deployed personnel, equipment and commodities to 
Mississippi to aid response and recovery from the overwhelming impact 
of Hurricane Katrina.
  In the hours and days after the catastrophic storm, Governor Jeb Bush 
pledged the support of Florida to Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour.
  I must commend Governor Bush for his outstanding efforts, especially 
for taking strong action against price gougers, and for expressing his 
solidarity with the people so severely impacted in Mississippi and 
Louisiana.
  Resources from Florida were mobilized through the Emergency 
Management Assistance Compact.
  Tons of food and money collected in South Florida are ready to be 
sent to ravaged Gulf Coast States.
  Florida's State Emergency Response Team is supporting local officials 
and federal responders with search and rescue missions and emergency 
management operations in Mississippi.
  Members of Florida's extensive team of emergency response vessel 
crews, search and rescue teams, National Guardsmen and emergency 
management officials will continue to deploy as needed to support 
operations in the impacted area.
  These efforts represent Florida's largest State-to-State assistance 
in history.
  I extend my most heartfelt gratitude to all those who have joined in 
efforts to provide assistance, especially all volunteers, 
representatives of the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the National 
Guard, the Reserves, Emergency and law enforcement personnel, and 
Department of Health medical assistance resources.
  Hurricance Katrina, and the devastating after-effects, has severely 
impacted many staff and Members of our own Congressional Community.
  Specifically, the coastal districts of Alabama, Louisiana, and 
Mississippi were most hard hit. Staff and Members from these areas have 
been personally affected and in some cases their district offices were 
either severely damaged or destroyed.
  Although my home State of Florida, and especially my Congressional 
district in South Florida, were hit hard by Hurricane Katrina, we were 
fortunate that the damage was not as severe as was initially 
anticipated.
  Yet, the damage incurred has serious long-term ramifications for the 
welfare of our State.
  Thousands of constituents have suffered severe damage to their home 
and property, in addition to enduring power outages and lack of 
communications.
  The Florida agriculture community was one of the hardest hit. 
Katrina's unexpected jog south caught many South Miami-Dade nurseries 
and groves unprepared.
  As the agricultural community reels, the farmers, growers, and 
laborers who depend on the industry for their livelihood are tense with 
uncertainty.
  Katrina's high waters and heavy winds inundated acres of agriculture.
  Crop loss in Miami has been estimated at $427 million and economic 
loss is estimated at $691 million.
  This loss will have far reaching effects as Miami-Dade's billion 
dollar agricultural industry is second to tourism as the areas top 
source of income.
  It is clear that this is a nationwide issue that requires a 
nationwide response.
  Our country's strength has always derived from the character, 
courage, and compassion of our people and, together, we will help each 
other through this difficult period and prevail over the devastation.

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