Condolences To Indonesia For Earthquake Destruction

I rise today in support of H.Res. 810. I would like to thank Congressman Dan Burton for his work on this resolution.

In February 2008, I visited Indonesia as a member of the House Democracy Partnership. While our focus was meeting with members of the Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat or Indonesian House of Representatives, we made it a point to also visit Banda Aceh on the island of Sumatra.

As you may recall, in December 2004, Banda Aceh was the closest major city to the epicenter of an Indian Ocean earthquake that suffered further damage by a tsunami that struck shortly afterwards. That earthquake measured 9.3 on the Richter scale. The awesome power of the tsunami was brought home to us as leaders of Banda Aceh showed us how the whole area had literally leveled and ships from the port were swept in land by the water's force. The recovery efforts, in which the United States played a major role, were extraordinary. What I was most impressed with however, was the remarkable resiliency in spirit of the people of Banda Aceh.

It is that same resiliency that I am sure will rise again out of the tragedies of the earthquakes and aftershocks of September 2009.

My thoughts are with those who were lost, their loved ones, and the tens and thousands of survivors who are struggling in the aftermath. I stand with President Obama in his offer of assistance that will help alleviate the suffering and provide relief in the region.

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