[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Pages 19885-19890]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           HURRICANE KATRINA

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I come to the floor today--heart-
sick--to speak about the absolute devastation wrought by Hurricane 
Katrina. This tragedy represents the worst natural disaster in our 
Nation's history.
  This hurricane spared nothing. Estimates of damage now run as high as 
$200 billion. The cost, in human lives and suffering, is just 
staggering.
  Tragically, it will take weeks and weeks to ascertain the true loss 
of life. As the recovery proceeds, I pledge to do all in my power to 
help those in need to rebuild cities, communities, and shattered lives 
and families across the Gulf Coast.
  My home State of California knows well the destruction possible from 
natural disasters. So many times the people of California have been 
saved by the generosity of the American people.
  I have no doubt that the people of my State will now rally to the aid 
of those in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Many already have.
  In addition to monetary contributions from residents throughout the 
State, over 1,500 California first responders are on the scene, as well 
as over 700 California National Guard personnel, 116 California Highway 
Patrol officers, eight swiftwater rescue teams, eight urban search and 
rescue task forces, and six disaster medical assistance teams.
  On Tuesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that California had 
accepted a request from FEMA to provide housing and assistance for 
1,000 storm victims left homeless by the hurricane. San Diego has made 
600 beds available, San Francisco 300, and San Jose 100. And if FEMA 
asks for more, the State will be ready. Los Angeles has planned 
accommodations for 2,000 evacuees and Sacramento County is preparing 
for 300.

[[Page 19886]]

  Campuses of the University of California and California State 
University systems, as well as private colleges and universities from 
across the State, have opened their doors to college students who were 
displaced or had their educational plans interrupted by the hurricane. 
Hundreds of students have already taken advantage of these 
opportunities and will be starting classes this fall.
  My heart goes out to all those suffering from this catastrophe. I 
have seen the destruction caused by massive mudslides, major 
earthquakes, and torrential rains. I have seen the fear and 
hopelessness that comes when families lose everything except the shirts 
on their backs. My thoughts and prayers are with those Americans in the 
pitch dark with no electricity, in shelters with their homes swept 
away, and with a future that seems without hope.
  I commend all those who have worked literally around the clock in 
response to the disaster. The emergency responders--from the National 
Guard and Coast Guard to hospital workers to the local police and fire 
departments--have been nothing short of heroic. They are risking their 
lives and deserve our deep gratitude.
  The American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and many other charitable 
organizations and religious groups have mobilized thousands of 
volunteer workers to bring aid and shelter to victims of the 
devastation.
  The American people are already demonstrating their tremendous 
compassion and magnanimity--contributions exceed $500 million, with 
surely much more to come. Nations from around the world have also 
offered to help. I thank them as well.
  But despite the effort and concern of all these individuals, I am 
shocked at what has gone terribly wrong in preparation for Hurricane 
Katrina. What we saw in the days following the storm has been a massive 
failure of government on all levels to anticipate, prepare, and 
respond. Days before the storm FEMA knew it was coming. It was 
announced well in advance that Katrina had become a lethal category 5 
storm as it made its way through the Gulf of Mexico.
  To see the horrific images of the dead lying in the street 
unattended, bodies floating aimlessly facedown in the water, and 
Americans with no choice but to relieve themselves on the field of the 
Superdome--it boggles the mind that such depraved conditions descended 
on one of America's great cities.
  It was a flat embarrassment to the country. Those who have lost loved 
ones deserved much better than these appalling conditions.
  Senators Collins and Lieberman have launched a Governmental Affairs 
Committee oversight investigation to ensure that the requisite support 
and resources go to those in need. They will also be examining the 
inadequate preparation and response to this disaster.
  Senator Clinton and others have called on President Bush to appoint 
an independent national commission to review Hurricane Katrina relief 
efforts modeled after the 9/11 Commission.
  I completely support these efforts, and would like to go on record 
with a few of the serious concerns that I have regarding what has taken 
place. These are all problems that we must grapple with if we are to 
truly protect our homeland from disasters of all kinds.
  Two days before the storm, a mandatory evacuation order went out for 
the residents of New Orleans. But didn't Federal, State, and local 
authorities know that tens of thousands of city residents lacked the 
funds and means to depart and, more fundamentally, had nowhere to go?
  As a result, the poor stayed put: stranded throughout the city and 
away from any safe and secure shelter. Clearly there is not an adequate 
mechanism for removing Americans out of harm's way in the face of a 
crisis.
  Warning systems and evacuation plans, prepositioning of 
transportation assets and emergency communications facilities, are all 
in dire need of an overhaul.
  As always in these situations, the first priority is to save lives. 
Once the storm had passed, emergency responders went to dramatic 
lengths to save those stranded in houses, in apartments, and on 
rooftops throughout the region. Through their tireless efforts, 
thousands have been saved.
  But what should have been an immediate and massive delivery of food, 
water, and medical supplies to evacuees came much too late. Thousands 
of hurricane victims went for days without anything to eat or drink. 
Babies went without formula. Diabetics went without insulin. People 
took refuge on freeways only to bake in the heat without relief or 
water and nowhere to go.
  I realize the unprecedented magnitude of this disaster. But the delay 
in response was simply inexcusable. It pains me to admit that people 
died because aid did not arrive fast enough to those in need.
  Downtown, New Orleans' Charity Hospital went unevacuated for days 
with no food, clean water, or basic medical supplies. These represent 
the sickest and neediest of the storm victims, and all efforts should 
have been made for their immediate evacuation--by boat to reach the 
hospital or at least helicopter airlifts from the roof if possible. 
Vigilant doctors, nurses, and other hospital workers performed 
courageously but did not have the support they needed.
  There seemed to be no plan in place for providing shelter once the 
storm was over. Ad hoc decisions appeared to cause widespread confusion 
as desperate evacuees did not know where to find basic needs. Rumors 
swirled of food here and fuel there, forcing victims to scavenge in 
search of the basic necessities of life.
  As regional evacuation centers filled there was no effective plan for 
long or even short-term shelter and care of displaced residents. With 
nowhere for storm victims to go, evacuation centers turned to squalor. 
Serious reports of abuse and assault have come out of these shelters.
  Other cities graciously volunteered to open facilities to evacuees. 
For that I offer them my sincere gratitude. But now even they have 
reached capacity--the Houston Astrodome, for example. We were just not 
prepared to handle an evacuation of this magnitude.
  We were quickly and brutally reminded that an effective response to 
this type of tragedy cannot happen until a reasonably safe situation 
exists on the ground. This is nothing new. It is a given in these types 
of situations.
  Yet days passed before adequate National Guard troops arrived. 
Meanwhile, thugs, miscreants, and ruthless pillagers terrorized the 
streets and thwarted rescue and aid.
  Command and control breakdowns have been rampant. Throughout the 
region, complaints abound that no one seems to be in charge. This is a 
recipe for chaos, which only works to hamper relief efforts and put 
innocent people in serious danger. Again, this points to the fact that 
we do not have adequate plans and mechanisms for dealing with serious 
disasters.
  Regrettably, I could go on, but the time for dealing with the faults 
in preparation and response has not yet come. Right now, the victims of 
Hurricane Katrina need our help. Entire communities have been 
destroyed. Families have been torn apart. Many are still missing. Tens 
of thousands remain homeless. We must find a way to help bring some 
stability and hope back into their lives.
  Congress has made a start by keeping FEMA operations running through 
an immediate $10.5 billion appropriation last week. And the President 
has asked for $51.8 billion more, which Congress will surely approve 
soon. But even this will not be enough--we have just begun the effort 
to rebuild these cities and communities.
  This is a process that will take years to accomplish and require a 
great deal of commitment on our part. I call on all Americans to do 
what they can to assist in the recovery efforts. There are countless 
opportunities and help is vitally needed.
  As we move forward together as a nation, we also need to focus on 
concrete solutions for improving our preparedness for calamities that 
engulf any part of the country.
  In close cooperation with State and Federal emergency agencies, each 
city

[[Page 19887]]

in this country absolutely must have an effective emergency plan in 
place.
  These plans need to include professional and skilled emergency 
operations directors, clear lines of authority, practical evacuation 
strategies, and previously determined command centers that can be up 
and running on a moment's notice with satellite connections and powered 
by their own generators. Key department heads should carry two-way 
radios with extra battery packs at all times.
  The plans also must have mechanisms to immediately call for and 
facilitate the delivery of food, water, and medical supplies to areas 
in need.
  But it is not enough to just have a plan in place. These plans must 
be rehearsed and drilled until they become second nature for the public 
agencies, emergency responders, and communities involved. When disaster 
strikes, there can be no confusion as to what must happen.
  Unfortunately, even when effective and rehearsed plans exist, large-
scale catastrophic events, such as Hurricane Katrina, can quickly 
overwhelm local jurisdictions.
  In these cases, we need a system in place that allows the Federal 
Government to come in immediately with the full force of its resources 
and assume primary responsibility for response and relief.
  The U.S. Conference of Mayors should convene a national intercity 
effort to share information and assist in emergency preparation 
efforts.
  In emergency situations such as this, communications capabilities are 
essential. Emergency responders must have the equipment that will allow 
essential communications efforts to continue in case of the major 
damage to infrastructure we have seen in New Orleans.
  Clearly, the Federal Emergency Management Agency needs to change. We 
need to look at whether the tasks charged to FEMA are too large to be 
included with 21 other agencies under the Department of Homeland 
Security.
  Let us seriously consider professionalizing FEMA from top to bottom--
some have called for the resignation of the current Director, Michael 
Brown, whose credentials as an emergency manager have been widely 
questioned.
  FEMA needs to be devoid of political appointees and employ only the 
highest trained professionals with expertise in transportation, 
emergency medical aid, communications, and providing Federal disaster 
assistance.
  Funds Congress appropriates for FEMA from this point forward ought to 
be prioritized for disaster preparation, and we need to intensively 
review programmatic appropriations for the Department of Homeland 
Security which, some critics point out, has received funds diverted 
from the levee project in New Orleans.
  We have a Strategic Petroleum Reserve, but shouldn't we have a 
strategic food and water reserve too, that can, within hours, be 
airlifted into directly and brutally hit areas such as New Orleans?
  We need preplanned, carefully thought out means for moving National 
Guardsmen and other military forces and particularly assets, such as 
high-water vehicles and Chinook transport helicopters, swiftly into 
place to prevent urban areas from sinking into anarchy--as was so 
painfully evident at the convention center in New Orleans and 
throughout the city.
  The Army Corps of Engineers, the administration and Congress knew for 
years about New Orleans' vulnerable topography and the inherent 
weaknesses of the 350-mile city levee system but limited funding for 
flood control work nonetheless--why?
  The administration and Congress need to conduct a nationwide 
assessment to determine the other most vulnerable areas and have 
Federal disaster assistance resources pre-positioned if possible so no 
time is lost in the aftermath of another future tragedy.
  These are just a few ideas to consider. President Bush was 
conveniently understating the case last Thursday when he said that 
federal efforts were ``not acceptable''.
  Americans have an obligation to come together, now, with their 
resources, money, and can do spirit to save New Orleanians, their great 
city, and all those suffering down the Gulf Coast.
  Nothing less is acceptable.
  Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, I rise today to address the national 
crisis we are facing in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. It is hard to 
even begin estimating the extent to which this natural disaster will 
affect all of us and, most particularly, our fellow Americans along the 
gulf coast. I extend my deepest sympathies to the victims and loved 
ones of this unprecedented disaster. My thoughts and prayers are with 
all those in need.
  Katrina is likely the largest natural disaster this nation has ever 
faced. The storm's impact is unfathomable, and an entire region has 
been irrevocably affected. I cannot conceive of a perfect evacuation or 
mitigation effort for a circumstance of this magnitude. I urge people 
to refrain from allocation of blame. Finger pointing will only make 
matters worse. For now we must show our strength as Americans: we must 
do the best that we can with what we have.
  Our first priority must remain search and rescue. We are working to 
save as many lives as we can, and to send aid to those victims who at 
this time are without adequate shelter, food, and water. We need to 
bring relief to those who are living this nightmare, beginning with the 
most vulnerable--children, elderly, those in need of medical 
attention--and moving outward to encompass all those who can be 
reached. Once we have ensured the basic health and safety of those in 
need, our next priority will be to begin restoring some quality of 
life. Many have lost everything. Until the region is stabilized, they 
will need somewhere to go, somewhere to work, somewhere to be with 
their families, somewhere to begin rebuilding their lives.
  Last Friday, the Senate acted and passed a $10.5 billion emergency 
funding package for New Orleans; however, we will need to give more 
Federal money for disaster relief. I recognize that this will be 
costly, and although I am an advocate for fiscal responsibility, this 
is a time for the Federal Government to act.
  We also need to reach into our own pockets and be as generous as we 
can be. I encourage my fellow members, my fellow Ohioans, and my fellow 
Americans to contribute to this relief effort by calling the Red Cross 
at 1-800-HELP-NOW, or visiting their website at www.RedCross.org. The 
Department of Homeland Security website, www.dhs.gov, also has valuable 
information for those wishing to make a monetary donation or to offer 
other services such as housing, and many local communities and faith-
based groups have set up collection agencies. Opportunities to give are 
readily available, and the need is great.
  I would like to thank all those who have already opened their hearts 
and homes, and have given whatever is in their power to give. The 
response of this Nation, as well as many foreign countries, has been 
remarkable. Individuals, businesses, and governments--all have answered 
this call to meet human needs, and this effort will demand that all 
levels of government work together to ensure that what needs to get 
done, gets done.
  I would like to take a moment to recognize the dedication of those 
who have offered tireless assistance to the victims of Katrina. In the 
last eight days, the Coast Guard alone has saved over 30,000 people, 
more than the cumulative number of its search and rescue operations for 
the last 10 years combined. Their relief effort has been simply 
incredible. I am proud of the Coast Guard men and women who have truly 
exhibited semper paratus.
  Katrina also reminds us of how important our National Guard troops 
are in a time of crisis. From across the United States, there are some 
41,500 National Guard troops that are on duty along the Gulf Coast. I 
am very proud of Ohio's National Guard, which have deployed a total of 
1,500 soldiers and airmen to support Operation Buckeye, Ohio's 
hurricane response operation. This includes the 437th Military Police 
Battalion, the 1-148th Infantry Battalion and the 73rd TC-Task Force

[[Page 19888]]

Command from Columbus; the 371st Corps Support Group from Kettering; 
and the 269th Combat Communications Squadron from Springfield. As we 
review the many policy concerns that have emerged in response to 
Katrina, it will be important to look at the issues facing our National 
Guard and to work to support them.
  I have only mentioned the Coast Guard and the National Guard, but 
approximately 100,000 people are now involved in relief efforts. These 
people have chosen service over self and demonstrated their dedication 
to their fellow Americans. I am inspired by their efforts and I thank 
them for their service. We owe them all our gratitude and respect.
  In addition, words cannot express my gratitude for the 20 States that 
have welcomed some 235,000 survivors from the gulf region. I would also 
note the contributions that my home state is making to the recovery 
effort, in addition to the contributions of the Ohio National Guard. 
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources deployed 24 officers with 10 
boats and 10 vehicle-trailer combinations to Louisiana. In addition, 
hundreds of Ohio police officers and firefighters have gone or are on 
call to go to Louisiana and Mississippi to assist with the recovery 
effort. I am pleased that Ohio has opened its arms and stands ready to 
receive over 1,000 victims. In preparation, the State Emergency 
Management Agency, in conjunction with their local partners, is already 
locating housing, schools, and support services for families who have 
been displaced. As a former Mayor of Cleveland and Governor of Ohio, I 
am extremely proud of the Buckeye State's response.
  However, Mr. President, in my current capacity as Chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management of the Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I have many questions 
about the timely response to this catastrophe which have yet to be 
answered. In my position, I will work to make sure these questions are 
answered because we need to understand what went right and what went 
wrong in order to better prepare for natural disasters. At this 
juncture, it is too early to prejudge the overall successes and 
failures of each level of government during this disaster, or answer 
questions such as, ``Should FEMA be part of DHS?'' Those answers should 
be provided only after a careful and thorough assessment of the entire 
situation. I would like to recognize the leadership of Senator Collins 
and Senator Lieberman, the chair and ranking member of the Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and I look forward to 
working with them as we examine the response of all levels of 
government. However, right now, our responders have a job to do on the 
gulf coast, and our first objective should be to offer whatever 
assistance it is within our power to give.
  Even though we are just beginning to wrap our arms around the 
magnitude of this event, I would offer some initial thoughts as to how 
we might mitigate the damage from future natural disasters like 
Katrina.
  The responsibility of planning for, and responding to, natural 
disasters is shared by all levels of government. But as a former Mayor 
of Cleveland and Governor of Ohio, I know firsthand the paramount 
importance of State and local first responders. Therefore, I implore 
every State and local emergency preparedness organization to review 
their action plans to ensure that they have the proper procedures and 
contingencies in place to deal with a catastrophic event. The emergency 
planning and response capabilities must be reviewed and, if necessary, 
rewritten to address every possible incident for a given geographic 
location. The safety of our citizens and communities depends on it.
  Prior to Hurricane Katrina, I began working with the State of Ohio's 
Emergency Management Agency in efforts to assess the ability of the 
State to prevent, protect, respond to and recover from any disaster, 
whether natural or otherwise. The State of Ohio is currently conducting 
a thorough top to bottom review of their strategic and emergency 
operations plans. It is my hope that these reviews will be conducted by 
every State.
  I would also highlight a Federal program that can help prepare State 
and local first responders. Earlier this year I offered an amendment to 
the Homeland Security Appropriations bill to increase funds for the 
Emergency Management Performance Grant program. The EMPG program is the 
only source of Federal assistance that provides vital emergency 
management, coordination and planning support to State and local 
governments and first responders for all hazards. I believe that by 
investing in a program with a proven track record, recovery from events 
like Katrina will be more effective, and the EMPG should receive even 
higher levels of funding. I will continue in my efforts to ensure that 
the Federal Government stresses preparation for all hazards: we must be 
prepared for both terrorism and all of the blows that nature can deal.
  Hurricane Katrina also shows that we have serious needs for the 
repair and improvement of our Nation's aging infrastructure and 
waterway systems. The desperate conditions these systems are currently 
in are impacting our economy, the environment, and the welfare of the 
American people. The backlog of unfunded Army Corps of Engineers 
operation and maintenance projects mandated by Congress is $1.2 
billion. This is up from $250 million when I arrived in the Senate in 
1999.
  It has been 5 years since Congress passed a water resources and 
development reauthorization bill. The passage of another WRDA bill 
cannot be delayed any further. It is simply too important to our Nation 
in terms of its benefits to our economy and environment and for the 
speedy recovery for the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.
  The economic benefits of infrastructure projects speak for 
themselves. The national return on investment for the Mississippi 
Valley and Tributary system--the system affected by Hurricane Katrina--
is $24 for each dollar spent, according to the National Waterways 
Conference. The Corps of Engineers flood damage reduction program saves 
lives and prevents almost $8 in damages for each dollar spent.
  Right now our infrastructure is collapsing due to insufficient 
funding. We desperately need to provide increased funding for the Army 
Corps of Engineers. Currently, the Corps is able to function only at 50 
percent capacity at the rate of funding proposed by the Office of 
Management and Budget. With proper investment from Congress, our 
waterways and ports have the potential to help strengthen our economy, 
help ease our Nation's growing congestion problem, and provide a better 
quality of life.
  This devastating hurricane also served to underscore the fragile 
nature of our national and economic security when the energy spigot 
went from a full flow to merely a drip. I praise my colleague and 
Chairman of the Energy Committee, Senator Domenici, for his Herculean 
task of shepherding an energy bill through this body. That bill is a 
tremendous step toward a much larger goal, which is our Nation's energy 
independence. However, in the aftermath of the energy bill's passage, 
we should not assume those efforts will suffice.
  Rather, the effects of this hurricane on our Nation's energy supply 
and the ripple effects sent through the economy should only heighten 
the clarion call for our country. Much like our Nation committed itself 
when the Russians launched Sputnik and we entered the race to space, I 
believe we should have a national commitment to becoming energy 
independent.
  We should open additional domestic resources in the near term to help 
wean us from foreign oil. My colleagues from Alaska have long sought to 
open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge an idea I support. We should 
also invest in clean coal technologies that will help utilize one of 
our Nation's cheapest and most abundant resources.
  However, we should also look ahead. For instance, a great deal of 
research has been done in my State on hydrogen fuel cells. I have heard 
that within a decade, commercial applications for these fuel cells will 
be a real possibility. But I would ask, why 10 years?

[[Page 19889]]

Why not five? I truly believe there is too much at stake to ignore or 
merely feign interest in becoming energy independent.
  I do not think it hyperbole to say that one of the main factors that 
will determine the next great superpower will be the nation that is 
able to become energy independent. The commitment we make today will 
determine the safety and quality of life future generations will have. 
I pray that we heed this warning.
  Finally, I would like to address an issue related to Hurricane 
Katrina, and that is the soaring gasoline prices across the Nation. In 
the wake of the horrible tragedy caused by Hurricane Katrina, it now 
appears that some individuals may be profiting off the misfortune of 
others. This is unconscionable. It is unfortunate that there are no 
Federal laws in place to address and stop the price gouging of 
gasoline. In fact, less than half of our States have laws on the books 
to protect consumers from price gouging. Therefore, I am considering 
legislation to provide the Federal Government with the requisite 
authority to investigate cases of gasoline price gouging during an 
emergency. This proposed legislation would resolve this issue by 
providing a Federal framework for protecting consumers against this 
unjustifiable business practice. I would note that I have been actively 
involved in this issue for several years. I participated in hearings in 
2000, 2002, and 2004 in two different committees, and I have asked 
Senator Collins to explore this issue in the Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs Committee.
  Mr. President, these are but a handful of the issues that must be 
addressed in the weeks and months ahead. Let us roll up our sleeves and 
get to work. Let us learn from this horrible tragedy that has befallen 
the gulf coast, and forge better laws and procedures for the future. In 
closing, my heart goes out to the victims of this disaster, and I ask 
that all Americans do what they can to assist them.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, we have 
seen images we thought we would never see in America. We have been 
reminded that we are all part of the American family. And we have a 
responsibility to help members of that family when they are in need.
  We in Congress have a responsibility to do all we can in many ways. 
Let's make sure children don't lose a year of their lives. Let's help 
them return to as much of a normal environment as possible. We need to 
act quickly to provide the help they and their parents need to cope 
with this strategy, and rebuild their future.
  We all remember Hurricane Andrew, the category-5 hurricane that left 
over $40 billion in damage in 1992. It tore through south Florida, and 
the Army, Navy, and National Guard pitched in to help schools repair 
classrooms and reopen the school doors in about 2 weeks.
  Last year, Hurricane Charley tore through central Florida and left 
$15 billion in damage. Schools closed, but within a month, they 
returned to normal and students were back on track in their classrooms.
  But Hurricane Katrina is a different type of storm, and the magnitude 
of its damage is vastly more extensive.
  In Mississippi alone, 271 schools have been damaged or destroyed. 
Schools are closed in the three gulf coast cities in the State hit 
hardest by Katrina Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula. Those districts 
enroll 20,000 students.
  In North Gulfport, the walls of the Harrison Central 9th Grade School 
collapsed. In Pascagoula, the roof of St. Martin High blew off. The 
State superintendent has already requested help from Washington to find 
portable classrooms. Officials are considering converting an abandoned 
Kmart into a temporary school.
  Vastly more damage has occurred in Louisiana. At least 135,000 
students in public schools have been displaced. 100,000 college 
students have been displaced for the fall semester at Tulane, the 
University of New Orleans, Xavier University, and Loyola University.
  Fortunately, America has begun to respond.
  The Houston school district has pledged to accommodate 30,000 
displaced students in their schools. The Dallas Public Schools has 
created a hotline to streamline enrollment for displaced students. St. 
Paul, MN is willing to accept 5,000 in its schools.
  In Massachusetts, more than 30 colleges and universities have offered 
to enroll students, and provide housing and tuition assistance.
  People have opened their homes and communities have opened their 
schools. We owe a great debt of gratitude to the principals, the 
superintendents, and the university presidents and deans who have 
pledged their help.
  But they need help from Congress as they struggle to accommodate 
these students. We need a response that is as caring and as generous as 
the American spirit.
  We must do all we can to assist schools and colleges as they attempt 
to meet the incredible challenge of incorporating hundreds or thousands 
of new students into their systems.
  We must provide funds to help ease the transition of students into 
new school districts, support basic instruction, and purchase books and 
materials. We must help schools temporarily expand facilities and avoid 
overcrowding.
  We must help college students find temporary help so they don't lose 
a semester or a year of college, and give them the financial assistance 
they need to continue.
  We must also help former students who are paying off past loans, by 
offering every affected borrower a 6 month grace period when no further 
interest will accrue so they can avoid any increased cost or damage to 
their credit while they get their lives back on track.
  Thousands of young children affected by Katrina need temporary space 
in safe and healthy settings. We must provide them with quality early 
childhood programs and facilities, until the children and their 
families can return to their homes and communities.
  And in weeks and months ahead, we must focus on rebuilding and 
reconstructing the schools devastated by the tragedy so that, as soon 
as possible, children can return to schools fully stocked with the 
resources they need.
  This morning, Senator Enzi and I heard moving testimony in the HELP 
Committee from Dr. Diane Roussel, Superintendent of Schools in 
Jefferson Parish in Louisiana. The parish has 85 schools, 51,000 
students and 3,600 teachers. It lies just south of New Orleans, and was 
directly in the path of Katrina.
  The local tax base provides a third of the district's resources for 
education to help students who have been displaced. Now, they're left 
with nothing to re-build their schools.
  In Dr. Roussel's words:

       Money isn't always the answer to solving the ills in our 
     public schools, but when we're talking about equipment, 
     supplies, rebuilding, and maintaining our teaching workforce, 
     money is the answer.

  We're reminded in this disaster that schools are the heart of local 
communities across America. When schools open, people return. When 
schools open, business returns, and life begins to return to normal.
  In the coming days and weeks, we must act expeditiously to provide 
the help that the entire gulf coast community needs to re-open its 
schools. If they get what they need, I am confident they will come 
back, stronger than ever before. Let's get it done.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I want to take a moment, on behalf of 
myself, my fellow Vermonters and Americans across this country, to 
express our heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of generosity by 
more than 90 countries and international organizations that have 
offered assistance to the recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina.
  The United States is coping with devastation and destruction on a 
scale not seen in our lifetimes. It has been shocking and sobering to 
see how woefully unprepared our Government was to help the victims of 
this disaster. The chaotic response has also raised serious concerns 
about the adequacy of our preparedness to respond to terrorist attacks, 
despite the many billions of dollars the Department of Homeland 
Security has spent since 9/11.

[[Page 19890]]

  Yet if there is a silver lining in such a disaster it is that it 
unites Americans and it unites the world in the common cause of 
alleviating suffering. A massive relief effort is underway, albeit 
belatedly, involving everyone from the Coast Guard to the Red Cross to 
private citizens who are rescuing people who were stranded and caring 
for those who lost their homes and possessions. Organizations such as 
the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 
the World Food Program, World Health Organization, UNICEF and the U.N. 
High Commissioner for Refugees have all contributed personnel and 
resources to help in the recovery. Canadian search and rescue teams 
from as far away as British Colombia were on the ground in some 
Louisiana communities as early as August 31, even before FEMA had 
mobilized American relief workers.
  It is not often that we, the world's only superpower, find ourselves 
on the receiving end of foreign aid. It is almost always the other way 
around, when Americans respond, as we do continuously, to the needs of 
people suffering from famine, conflict and natural disasters overseas. 
It is notable that our own disaster relief specialists in USAID's 
Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance are assisting in this domestic 
recovery effort.
  The outpouring of sympathy and the hundreds of millions of dollars in 
contributions by Americans to the victims of the South Asian tsunami 
earlier this year are today being reciprocated by some of those same 
countries, and by scores of others.
  From the wealthiest European countries and Japan, to the poorest, 
such as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, generous offers of cash, water 
purification and communications equipment, and emergency and medical 
personnel have been extraordinarily gratifying.
  But while no offers have been expressly rejected by the U.S. 
Government, few have been accepted and received. It is regrettable that 
our Government's abysmal coordination in the early days of the recovery 
effort has prevented critical international aid from being delivered to 
our stricken citizens and communities in the affected Gulf states.
  One of many examples is Canada's offer to send three warships and a 
Coast Guard vessel. They were delayed for a week due to bureaucratic 
inertia.
  I know that in any major humanitarian crisis when unsolicited offers 
of aid pour in it is difficult to coordinate and use it immediately. 
Some is simply not usable, such as electric generators that require a 
voltage not readily available in this country. There are also problems 
of limited access to airfields and ground transportation, and the 
necessary personnel to handle and distribute it. But these obstacles 
should have been anticipated. Bureaucratic backlogs and bungling have 
kept foreign relief planes grounded for days, medical personnel on 
standby, and tons of supplies waiting to be delivered to the desperate 
people of Louisiana and Mississippi.
  The sluggish response has left foreign governments frustrated and 
baffled. I think it needs to be emphasized how much we welcome and 
appreciate their generous offers of help. It is unfortunate that our 
government was so unprepared to receive this aid in a timely manner, 
when lives could have been saved and suffering alleviated. Let us hope 
that the bottlenecks are being removed so the State Department, the 
Department of Homeland Security, and particularly FEMA, can speed the 
delivery of aid from our friends around the world without further 
delay.

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