[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 12914-12915]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             NOAA FISHERIES RESPOND TOO SLOWLY TO DISASTER

  (Ms. HOOLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1

[[Page 12915]]

minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. HOOLEY. Last year, the fishing was reduced by about 60 percent. 
This year, the fishing along the Oregon and California coast has been 
reduced to almost nothing. In March, an administrator from NOAA told us 
they would be able to expedite a disaster by March of the 2006 season.
  Well, it is way past March, folks. Yesterday we were told they will 
not be able to declare a disaster until February of 2007.
  Let me tell you what happens: The people that cannot go out fishing 
cannot afford to make their payments on their boats. They cannot afford 
to feed their families. They cannot afford to put a roof over their 
heads. They can't afford school books for their children. This is a 
time when divorce rates go up; suicide rates go up.
  These are not rich communities. These are poor communities. When 
disasters happen in other areas, we declare a disaster and help people 
out. That's what we do. This is unacceptable. We need everyone's help.

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