[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19951]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE HURRICANE KATRINA SUPPLEMENTAL

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                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 8, 2005

  Mrs. LOWEY. I rise today in support of this legislation, a down 
payment toward fulfilling our obligation to help the citizens and 
cities ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.
  The tragedy of Katrina has exposed some difficult truths of American 
life. That the richest Nation on earth is just as vulnerable to the 
laws of nature as the poorest. That the have-nots are not only poorer 
than the haves--they are also less safe.
  The tragedy has also brought into sharp focus the debate about the 
role of government in citizens' lives. It has exposed the fallacy 
advanced by the leadership of this Congress and the administration that 
government is the problem, and it can't ever be the solution.
  I believe that government should work with the private sector to help 
people help themselves to achieve their goals. Government should be a 
partner in making the lives of Americans better.
  Unfortunately, too often, on the floor of this chamber, we've heard 
from Members who bemoan the size of the government and blast programs 
to help vulnerable populations, even as they tout legislation providing 
billions in Federal resources to the most powerful and connected 
companies and individuals in this country. They have been allowed to 
snip away at the web of structures put in place to help the American 
people.
  Katrina was the deluge that exposed what we have warned of all 
along--when you starve the government, it fails those who need it most.
  In times of crisis and in times of need, the people expect--and 
should expect--that their government will stand with them. American 
taxpayers deserve strong, competent leaders who jump into action, 
rather than ignore crisis and delay response. Who take responsibility, 
not rush to point fingers. Who understand that government is necessary 
and can be a force for good.
  Last week, the U.S. Government failed its people. This legislation is 
merely one step toward repairing this breach of basic trust, and I urge 
my colleagues to support it.

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