Making Emergency Supplemental Appropriations

Floor Speech

MAKING EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS -- (Senate - September 01, 2005)

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, first, my particular thoughts go to our colleague from Mississippi, the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, who has experienced visiting such devastation.

I have some idea of how he feels because less than 4 years ago--a little more than 4 years ago--I experienced the same in New York.

Tonight, our Nation is experiencing one of the most tragic and heartrending natural disasters in our history. Entire towns have been destroyed, lives upturned, families lost, and the chaos we have all watched unfold continues even tonight.

Our hearts go out to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and all of the other Gulf States affected by Hurricane Katrina. Our prayers go out most of all to those still stranded and to those who have lost loved ones. The images on television are devastating--hungry, weeping children sitting on the street amidst garbage; family members returning to the destroyed remains of their neighborhoods discovering they have lost everything they have ever owned, from precious family keepsakes to their houses, cars, and livelihoods; and angry, frightened people with nowhere to go and no rescue in sight.

I join with all Americans and people all over the world in praying for the safe rescue of all the victims of this heartbreaking tragedy.

Four years ago, my city of New York faced a devastating attack, and America stood with us in our time of need. New Yorkers will stand with the people of the gulf region now as they stood with us then.

The love and support New Yorkers received from the rest of the country after 9/11 meant so much in the wake of those attacks and the long, difficult road to recovery. I want the people of New Orleans, Louisiana, Mississippi, and the rest of the gulf to know we will support them, too, no matter how long and difficult their recovery may be. We will do whatever it takes to help now, tomorrow, and into the future.

Our first step comes tonight, when the Senate will agree to provide $10.5 billion in desperately needed disaster relief funding to the devastated region. And we will stand unified with President Bush and ready to provide everything and anything that New Orleans and the rest of the gulf region will need to rebuild and recover. Just as we did after 9/11, this body and the entire Nation will work together to overcome this disaster. The American people are strong, and we will persevere.

Like so many Americans, I have been watching the terrible images on television, and I worry about the thousands of people still stranded in the Superdome and throughout the city and region without food, water, sanitary facilities, or medical treatment. I worry so very much about the desperately ill people, including small babies and frail seniors who need medical care, and the people who may still be trapped in places rescuers have not reached, people in attics who retreated to the attics as the waters rose and then were stuck there.

I know firsthand how difficult it can be to organize a massive rescue and recovery effort, and clearly this disaster is unprecedented in its scope and difficulty.

Tonight, a lot of people's lives still hang in the balance. Money for the long run is necessary, and that is why we are here tonight. But there is much more we must do immediately. We must focus all our efforts on rescuing those who are in need of medicine, who are hungry, thirsty, and frightened and despairing. We must get these people to shelter and to medical facilities immediately. We must fly in food, water, clothing, blankets, medicine, and whatever else is needed. We must get as many ships, buses, and trucks as we can, from wherever we can get them, to transport the victims and to begin clearing the wreckage. We must provide the soldiers and law enforcement needed to restore law and order--however many it takes.

This is literally a life-and-death crisis, where every moment of delay has a human price. There is not a minute to lose, no matter the cost.

I know the phones have been ringing off the hook in my office and those of my colleagues. Many have called asking where they can contribute. That act of generosity is also noted. We are hearing from our constituents who have heartfelt questions about what went wrong in this tragedy and what else could have been done to prevent it. At the moment, we must keep our total focus on saving lives. But I want them to know that their questions are not falling on deaf ears. In due time, after we have done everything to save those whose lives hang in the balance, we will ask those difficult questions--not to lay blame but to learn from the mistakes that were made so that the Nation will be better prepared for the next disaster we might face.

But now is the time for action, for solving these problems, and for saving the lives that hang in the balance. In the days and months ahead, this Nation will pull together united as we did after 9/11. We will do everything we can to help the victims and repair and rebuild the cities and towns in the gulf, especially the much beloved city of New Orleans.

Just as we did in New York, we will face difficulties and great sorrow, but I know I join all of my colleagues in the Senate in pledging assistance--financial and beyond--that the gulf region needs and anything else in our power to help our fellow citizens.

Tonight, our prayers--our fervent prayers--are with them.

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