[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 24902-24903]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   SUPPORTING H. RES. 800, H. RES. 816, AND H. RES. 810, EXPRESSING 
   CONDOLENCES AND SOLIDARITY WITH THE CITIZENS OF THE PHILIPPINES, 
AMERICAN SAMOA AND SAMOA, AND INDONESIA IN THE AFTERMATH OF DEVASTATING 
                           NATURAL DISASTERS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 14, 2009

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I extend my support for H. Res. 
800, H. Res. 816, and H. Res. 810, which express sympathy for the 
citizens of the Philippines dealing with Tropical Storm Ketsana and 
Typhoon Parma, for the people of American Samoa and Samoa in the 
aftermath of an earthquake and tsunami, and for the citizens of 
Indonesia after a devastating earthquake.
  On September 26, 2009, Tropical Storm Ketsana made landfall in the 
Philippines. Rain and flooding submerged 80 percent of the capital 
city, Manila, took 277 lives, forced 135,470 families into evacuation 
centers, and destroyed over 4,500 homes. Typhoon Parma hit the islands 
several days later on October 2, 2009 and caused further damage.
  On September 29, 2009, a powerful earthquake struck below the ocean 
140 miles southwest of American Samoa and 125 miles south of Samoa. The 
earthquake, which registered 8.3 on the Richter scale, produced waves 
20 feet in height that penetrated one mile inland, sweeping away homes 
and cars.
  On September 30, 2009, 700 lives were lost to a 7.6 magnitude 
earthquake originating in West Sumatra, Indonesia, which also destroyed 
83,700 homes, 200 public buildings, 285 schools and other 
infrastructure.

[[Page 24903]]

  In the wake of these recent events and on behalf of the 70,000 Asian 
American and Pacific Islanders living in the 9th Congressional District 
of Texas, including the 6,000 Filipino Americans that I represent, I 
extend my sincerest condolences to the families whose loved ones were 
lost in these tragedies. As the Philippines, American Samoa, Samoa, and 
Indonesia rebuild homes and communities destroyed in the disasters, we 
recognize the heroic rescue efforts mounted by international aid 
organizations and foreign governments, including American forces sent 
by President Obama. Let these events remind us of our shared humanity 
and concern for those struggling in the face of adversity.
  Americans across the country continue to watch the recovery efforts 
being undertaken in the Philippines, American Samoa, Samoa, and 
Indonesia. We stand ready to assist our fellow brothers and sisters in 
need at a minute's notice, and we keep you every day in our thoughts 
and prayers.
  I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 800, H. Res. 816, and H. Res. 
810.

                          ____________________