[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19950]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           HURRICANE KATRINA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 8, 2005

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to extend my deepest condolences 
to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, who lost their lives, their homes, 
their communities, and their livelihoods. My thoughts and prayers are 
with them and their families.
  I have been very disappointed in what appears to have been a slow 
federal response to this disaster. In addition, many appeared to have 
ignored warnings over the years about the potential vulnerabilities and 
the steps that could be taken to prepare for this situation.
  It is my hope that we can come together on a bipartisan basis and 
work to review and assess the adequacy of the early federal, state, and 
local preparedness. We must also continue to focus on providing 
immediate assistance to those in need. I am pleased that the Congress 
convened on an emergency basis to provide more than 10 billion dollars 
for disaster relief efforts and trust we are providing an additional 
$52 billion today. In addition, I have been working with federal, 
state, and local officials to ensure that Maryland does everything it 
can to support the relief efforts. The State of Maryland has dispatched 
members of its National Guard and Montgomery County has dispatched 
search and rescue squad personnel. Other local governments are actively 
exploring ways that they can help. I am especially proud of the people 
throughout our community and country's outpouring of support for those 
whose lives have been shattered by Hurricane Katrina. They have opened 
their arms, their homes, and their pocketbooks.
  Mr. Speaker, while the enormity of this tragedy is overwhelming, I am 
confident that a spirit of determination and generosity will ensure 
that we will rebuild and endure. Our strength as a nation will be 
evident in the days to come as communities throughout our country unite 
to provide assistance to those in need.

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