[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19949]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 REGARDING THE $10.5 BILLION AID PACKAGE FOR THE VICTIMS OF HURRICANE 
                                KATRINA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GREGORY W. MEEKS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 8, 2005

  Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, ``Four years ago this month, the 
City I represent fell victim to a major disaster now infamously known 
as 9/11. When that happened we received the world's sympathy and we 
expected and received the support of the federal government to help us 
rebuild. Last December, the world came to the aid of Southeast Asian 
nations when the Indian Ocean leapt upon the shores of Indonesia, Sri 
Lanka and other coastal nations. The world responded and the U.S. 
Federal government stepped up to the plate.
  Once again, disaster has struck, this time in the form of hurricane 
Katrina. Again, thousands of people will have lost their lives and ten 
times that have lost their homes and livelihood. The world is offering 
its sympathy and support and Congress is meeting its responsibility by 
providing the Federal Government with $10.5 billion in initial 
emergency aid. Certainly more will be needed, and more will be 
provided.
  Additionally, I urge my fellow members of Congress to work with their 
local communities on neighborhood efforts to provide support for the 
relief efforts. As Americans we have many differences amongst us. 
Differences in race, religion and political ideologies to name a few. 
However, we have two commonalities that supercede those differences--we 
are all Americans and we are all human beings. As it was four years ago 
in my City of New York, it is today in our Gulf region. Let us respond 
today as we did then with overwhelming compassion and support for 
fellow members of our American-human family''.

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