[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 19646]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HELP THE REAL VICTIMS

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, our prayers 
are with the families who are still displaced, those who have lost 
loved ones, and those who have yet to locate friends and family.
  Last week we offered a $10.5 billion down payment on a long-term 
rebuilding effort, and I hope this initial commitment will send a clear 
message to the victims that the American people stand ready to help 
during their time of need.
  But I am concerned about politics. I have been around long enough to 
recognize opportunism when I see it. Some Democrats are already using 
this opportunity to impugn the integrity of the President with blame 
and finger-pointing. Though it is appropriate to determine what went 
wrong, I am afraid that they may have another agenda.
  Now is the time for all of us to work together to help those in need. 
Lest we forget who they are, here is a hint: They do not work here in 
the Capitol, they do not run for political office, they live in refugee 
camps in a dozen States because their homes and lives were destroyed by 
Katrina.

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