[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13334]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE PEOPLE OF GUATEMALA, HONDURAS AND EL 
                                SALVADOR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BRIAN P. BILBRAY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 19, 2010

  Mr. BILBRAY. Madam Speaker, as Chairman of the Central America 
Caucus, I would like to extend my sincerest condolences to the people 
of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador for their suffering as a result 
of the devastating effects of Tropical Storm Agatha. Beginning on May 
29, 2010, Tropical Storm Agatha left a wake of death and destruction in 
its path through Central America, leaving more than 200 people dead and 
almost 100,000 people displaced into shelters by this devastation.
  As a San Diegan, I am no stranger to how devastating natural 
disasters can be. In October 2007, 400,000 acres burned across our 
county while more than 1 million individuals were evacuated from their 
homes and more than 115 firefighters were injured while fighting to 
contain the fires. Any natural disaster tests the resolve of a 
community so our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by 
Tropical Storm Agatha.
  In addition to affecting the long term functionality and prosperity 
of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, Tropical Storm Agatha has also 
severely affected the countries' critical and physical infrastructures, 
damaging buildings as well as water and sanitation systems, and 
agricultural stock.
  It is a testament to the generosity of the American people as well as 
the innate goodness of human nature that so much aid from both American 
and international organizations have contributed to the relief efforts 
of Tropical Storm Agatha. I am proud to report that the United States 
has participated in providing relief supplies while governments and 
humanitarian organizations globally have contributed millions of 
dollars in relief funds.
  I would like to reiterate the profound sympathy we have for those 
affected by Tropical Storm Agatha, as well as laud their perseverance 
and progress in recovery. I urge the United States to continue to 
assist their recovery efforts, both in the short as a well as the long 
term. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected, and for these 
reasons I ask my colleagues to support the underlying resolution.

                          ____________________