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Second Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act To Meet Immediate Needs Arising from the Consequences of Hurricane Katrina, 2005

Date: Sept. 8, 2005
Location: Washington DC
Issues: Government Budget and Spending


SECOND EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT TO MEET IMMEDIATE NEEDS ARISING FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF HURRICANE KATRINA, 2005 -- (House of Representatives - September 08, 2005)

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Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding time and, more importantly, for the work that he has been doing these past several days trying to come to the aid of colleagues in the South.

One year ago, this Congress responded to an unprecedented event, four hurricanes striking a State within 2 months in Florida. Little did we know that a year later this Nation would be tested beyond what we saw in Florida. Not quite 2 weeks ago now, we saw the fury and destruction that Mother Nature can unleash; and we all watched as not just homes and communities were destroyed but entire cities.

The images on television were horrific. I do not know a single heart in America that is not breaking as we watch hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens become victims to the worst natural disaster in the Nation's history.

There has been much debate, finger-pointing in the press about who is to blame for problems with relief efforts, about who allowed such a human disaster to happen. This is an important question and one to which we must find answers, but at the appropriate time. Right now, it is time to finish the job of rescuing human beings from harm's way, to comfort those that have lost all of their possessions, and to help them find a sense of comfort and normalcy.

This bill will provide the beginnings to do just that. We do not know yet what the total disaster costs will be, but we want to assure the victims and the Nation that we will do everything in our power to help them recover.

Just an idea, Mr. Speaker, in World War I we had a thing called Liberty Bonds. I think it is time we thought about perhaps having Katrina Bonds. A lot of people are wanting to help across the Nation. This would be a way for every individual, if they chose, to find a way to help the victims of this great, horrible disaster. So I recommend that we think of that, establishment of K savings bonds.

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