[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28614]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      IN SUPPORT OF U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND'S EFFORTS IN EL SALVADOR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2009

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the 
humanitarian assistance efforts of the U.S. Southern Command, whose 
headquarters is in south Florida.
  Last week, El Salvador was hit with torrential rain storms, causing 
massive flooding and mudslides that devastated parts of that country.
  Nearly 200 people were killed. Many thousands more were left stranded 
and in immediate need of assistance.
  The very next day--the same day our Nation paused to celebrate 
Veterans Day--U.S. troops deployed nearby in Honduras boarded 
helicopters bound for the affected areas. These troops spent their 
Veterans' Day partnering with their counterparts in El Salvador, 
supporting them in saving lives and fulfilling a mission of cooperation 
that continues to serve our Nation well.
  In just four days our troops distributed more than 217,000-pounds of 
aid to villages completely isolated due to damaged roads and bridges. 
They brought food, water, milk, clothing and other emergency 
necessities.
  I understand that these airlifts were the only source of lifesaving 
supplies for the stranded village.
  So, Madam Speaker, I rise to offer my thoughts and prayers to the 
people of El Salvador, and to also express my appreciation and 
admiration for the members of U.S. Southern Command.

                          ____________________