[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 5]
[House]
[Pages 7269-7270]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 PUT ASIDE POLITICS FOR DISASTER RELIEF

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Connecticut (Mr. Larson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, our hearts go out to the 
people of Oklahoma and our colleague, Representative Tom Cole, whose 
district has been devastated by the latest catastrophe that has 
befallen our country.
  I recall the great courage of Tom Cole on this floor and in his 
conference, putting aside politics and ideology and voting for relief 
after Hurricane Sandy. As the death toll rises and the search and 
rescue valiantly continues, let us not just offer our prayers, as much 
as they are needed and welcomed, but let us act as united citizens and 
send, with all due speed, relief for the people of Oklahoma.

[[Page 7270]]

  Disasters and tragedies should never be about ideology or politics or 
geographic locale. When Americans are in need of help, this Congress 
needs to respond. That is who we are as a people. That's what leads us 
to become a more perfect union.
  Any American befallen by tragedy or national disaster needs the 
assistance of their Nation and their fellow Americans. Let us act in 
this Congress before we leave. Before we go on an extended break, let 
us take action on behalf of the citizens of Oklahoma.
  Let us put aside and let us damn politics and ideology and act on 
behalf of the American people and these people of Oklahoma who are 
enduring so much through this natural disaster.
  God bless America.

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