[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21920]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  ACKNOWLEDGING SANTA CLARA COUNTY ON ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO HURRICANE 
                         KATRINA RELIEF EFFORTS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 29, 2005

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge those in Santa Clara 
County, California who have offered assistance to the victims of 
Hurricane Katrina. Their efforts stand as a testament to the American 
spirit of generosity.
  The local governments of Santa Clara County have responded with 
munificent offerings to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The San Jose 
City Council and Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors each 
authorized $500,000 for the Santa Clara Valley American Red Cross to 
provide services to hurricane victims who arrive in the area. The San 
Jose Fire Department deployed firefighters to assist in the region 
devastated by Hurricane Katrina and stand ready as needed.
  Local universities opened their academies and housing to those 
displaced by the hurricane. In fact, Santa Clara University admitted 75 
students from New Orleans-based institutions Loyola University and 
Tulane University after the hurricane forced the campuses to close. The 
San Jose Recovery Center is providing interim shelter and services for 
evacuees at a former student housing complex at San Jose State 
University. So far, the Center has served sixty-six people.
  The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority responded as well by 
providing free bus passes to individuals and families, assuring 
mobility to access the medical services, education, and jobs.
  United by the Santa Clara County CADRE (Collaborating Agencies 
Disaster Relief Efforts), many local community organizations have 
provided ongoing evacuee support. The Volunteer Center of Silicon 
Valley forwarded 900 housing offers while coordinating occupational 
opportunities for evacuees. Local businesses and individuals have also 
contributed generous cash, food, and supply donations to the recovery 
effort.
  I commend the many individuals, organizations and agencies of Santa 
Clara County that contributed to the relief effort. I know that these 
donations and others from across the country have made a meaningful 
impact on the lives of the thousands of Gulf Coast residents still 
living in a state of uncertainty.

                          ____________________