[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 22774]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TROPICAL STORM KETSANA

  Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, I rise today to stand in unity with our 
friends in the Philippines, China, and Vietnam, who are recovering from 
a terrible natural disaster.
  Tropical Storm Ketsana struck the Philippines Saturday near Manila, 
causing massive flooding across the island nation. According to news 
reports, more than 80 percent of the capital city was submerged by the 
floods. Footage shows people being swept away by raging torrents, 
stranded on rooftops without supplies, or wading through waist-high 
flood water. According to the Associated Press, at least 284 people in 
the Philippines are confirmed dead, and nearly half a million people 
have lost their homes. As I speak, rescuers are searching for any 
remaining survivors. Family members are mourning lost loved ones. 
Millions of Filipinos across the country are struggling to find clean 
water, food, medicine, and shelter.
  I commend the U.S. Embassy in Manila for pledging financial aid to 
help the Philippine government get life-saving necessities to people 
living in emergency shelters.
  I am proud and honored by the work of members of the United States 
Armed Services. based in the Philippines. Their important mission is to 
provide counterterrorism training, but in the face of disaster, our 
troops have heroically conducted a number of life-saving rescues. Now 
they are helping to distribute supplies.
  I also thank UNICEF for its large pledge of financial support.
  In Hawaii, a number of organizations have stepped up to help. The 
Filipino Community Center, the United Filipino Council of Hawaii, and 
the Philippine Consulate General of Honolulu are among the 
organizations raising funds. I am encouraged by all those offering 
assistance in Hawaii and across the Nation.
  Unfortunately, Ketsana's path of destruction was not finished at the 
Philippines. The storm picked up strength over the South China Sea, 
brushed against the coast of China's Hainan Island, and at full typhoon 
strength today slammed directly into Vietnam, where at least 23 people 
have been confirmed dead.
  Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand are now bracing for heavy rains as the 
storm moves inland.
  In the United States, we are no strangers to the horrors of tropical 
cyclones. We all remember the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. It hit the 
gulf coast more than 4 years ago, but many areas are still recovering. 
In Hawaii, we will never forget Hurricane Iniki, which struck the 
island of Kauai in 1992, killing six people, destroying homes, hotels, 
and businesses, and leaving residents in some areas without electricity 
for months. It took parts of Kauai more than a decade to recover, and 
some historic buildings have never been rebuilt.
  The United States stands with our friends in the Philippines, China, 
and Vietnam as they work to help the survivors. I want to thank 
everyone who has pitched in to help our friends recover from this 
terrible disaster.
  I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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