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

EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT TO MEET IMMEDIATE NEEDS ARISING FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF HURRICANE KATRINA, 2005 -- (House of Representatives - September 02, 2005)

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Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, our thoughts and prayers are with the families and individuals devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Reports that displaced residents in New Orleans and other parts of the Gulf Coast are unable to receive medical attention and basic supplies are truly horrible. This is an unacceptable situation for the wealthiest country in the world. The conditions are desperate and the full force of the Federal Government must be turned towards helping those in need.

The Federal Government is prepared to provide an unprecedented level of disaster assistance, starting today with a $10.5 billion emergency aid package.

The recovery effort has raised several issues that must be addressed. First, once the immediate need for medical assistance, food and other resources is met, the massive job of providing housing in different communities throughout the country for the thousands of displaced victims must be undertaken. This will require an unprecedented level of coordination between federal, state and local governments and the private sector. Also, decisions must be made in terms of the reconstruction of the areas most devastated, in a manner that ensures that a tragedy of this magnitude will not repeat itself.

Second, the alleged unwillingness of the federal personnel assigned to the disaster to use the resources available to them in a timely fashion must be investigated. The fact that there was one instance of a military helicopter being fired upon is not an excuse for helicopters not to land or buses not to transport people. Questions with regard to class, race and discriminatory attitudes must be addressed in a candid and constructive manner.

Third, the personnel and agencies responsible for responding to this disaster are the same as the nation would call on in the event of a terrorist attack. Their present response, in the President's words, has been unacceptable and inexcusable. We must ensure that future responses are dramatically different.

In the coming days and weeks ahead, I encourage every American to consider volunteering to help our fellow citizens in this time of great need. My offices have received hundreds of phone calls from constituents who are eager to help in anyway possible, and this will allow the generosity of the human spirit to prevail.

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