[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 19956-19957]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        H.R. 3673, THE SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL FOR HURRICANE KATRINA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 8, 2005

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support for H.R. 3673, the 
Second Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Hurricane Katrina 
Response. This measure provides an additional $51.8 billion for 
hurricane relief, with $50 billion of that for relief and cleanup 
activities by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, $1.4 
billion for hurricane-related activities by the military, and $400 
million for the Army Corps of Engineers for restoration work on 
navigation locks and for channel dredging.
  We have all been moved by the devastation wrought by Hurricane 
Katrina, and we must now all pull together to help those who are facing 
the greatest challenges in their attempts to recover and respond to 
Katrina's wake. In times of hardship, Americans come together to help 
each other. Time is of the essence, and each of us must do what we can 
to respond to this natural catastrophe.
  Once the deadly threat posed by Hurricane Katrina became apparent, 
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi publicly called for a special session of 
Congress to get to work and send relief to the victims struggling in 
the Gulf Coast. I was pleased that Republican leadership finally 
answered Leader Pelosi's call and convened the U.S. Congress to pass a 
$10.5 billion emergency supplemental spending bill for the people 
suffering in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
  Today we will pass an additional $51.8 billion in the Second 
Emergency Supplemental for Hurricane Katrina. While these funds are 
much needed they are coming before us today on the suspension calendar 
which does not allow us adequate time for debate or an opportunity to 
add important amendments. Hurricane Katrina is clearly the worst 
natural disaster in U.S. history, and we are missing the opportunity to 
address some critical issues, such as creating a commission to 
investigate the federal response to this disaster and making FEMA an 
independent agency.

[[Page 19957]]

  Mr. Speaker, the Congress must provide leadership in helping those 
displaced by the hurricane to rebuild their lives and communities out 
of the wreckage left in Katrina's wake. In the weeks and months ahead, 
Congress will consider additional spending measures to aid victims of 
the hurricane. As Americans, we have pulled together through tragedies 
in the past, and I know that we will demonstrate that same unity in 
overcoming the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina.

                          ____________________