Supporting H. Red. 800, H. Res 816, And H. Res 810, Expressing Condolences And Solidarity With The Citizens Of The Philippines, American Samoa And Samoa, And Indonesia In The Aftermath Of Devastating Natural Disasters

Floor Speech

Supporting H. Red. 800, H. Res 816, And H. Res 810, Expressing Condolences And Solidarity With The Citizens Of The Philippines, American Samoa And Samoa, And Indonesia In The Aftermath Of Devastating Natural Disasters

Madam Speaker, I extend my support for H. Res. 800, H. Res. 816, and H. Res. 810, which express sympathy for the citizens of the Philippines dealing with Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma, for the people of American Samoa and Samoa in the aftermath of an earthquake and tsunami, and for the citizens of Indonesia after a devastating earthquake.

On September 26, 2009, Tropical Storm Ketsana made landfall in the Philippines. Rain and flooding submerged 80 percent of the capital city, Manila, took 277 lives, forced 135,470 families into evacuation centers, and destroyed over 4,500 homes. Typhoon Parma hit the islands several days later on October 2, 2009 and caused further damage.

On September 29, 2009, a powerful earthquake struck below the ocean 140 miles southwest of American Samoa and 125 miles south of Samoa. The earthquake, which registered 8.3 on the Richter scale, produced waves 20 feet in height that penetrated one mile inland, sweeping away homes and cars.

On September 30, 2009, 700 lives were lost to a 7.6 magnitude earthquake originating in West Sumatra, Indonesia, which also destroyed 83,700 homes, 200 public buildings, 285 schools and other infrastructure.

In the wake of these recent events and on behalf of the 70,000 Asian American and Pacific Islanders living in the 9th Congressional District of Texas, including the 6,000 Filipino Americans that I represent, I extend my sincerest condolences to the families whose loved ones were lost in these tragedies. As the Philippines, American Samoa, Samoa, and Indonesia rebuild homes and communities destroyed in the disasters, we recognize the heroic rescue efforts mounted by international aid organizations and foreign governments, including American forces sent by President Obama. Let these events remind us of our shared humanity and concern for those struggling in the face of adversity.

Americans across the country continue to watch the recovery efforts being undertaken in the Philippines, American Samoa, Samoa, and Indonesia. We stand ready to assist our fellow brothers and sisters in need at a minute's notice, and we keep you every day in our thoughts and prayers.

I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 800, H. Res. 816, and H. Res. 810.

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