Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I applaud the efforts of my colleagues. This is a commonsense way of doing things, and I don't think that many Americans realize the total devastation that Haiyan caused when it hit the Philippines, when you look at the loss of life, when you look at the number of displaced people, when you look at how many people it totally affected.
Now, when it comes to loss of life, we are talking about 6,200 people killed by this storm, 4.1 million displaced; and it affected over 14.1 million people.
The purpose of this legislation is kind of common sense. It allows people up to April 15 to go ahead and make a contribution to try and stem the effects of those losses. It just makes sense. It is something we have always done as Americans.
When we look at the special relationship we have with the Philippines, I don't think we can really look too far beyond where our history has been together as a people to understand that, when times get tough, when things happen to other folks, and when we can step in and help them, that we always do. It is just who we are. It is unique to America.
So I thank the gentleman for bringing it forward. I think it makes sense to all of us. This is truly bipartisan.
At a time when most people think that this House of Representatives can't do things that are bipartisan and doesn't act in the best for all people concerned, I think this surely does show that, by allowing Americans up until April 15 of this year to be able to make a contribution to help ease the devastation in the Philippines and still be able to use taxes from 2013. That is unique, and that is something I think we should do.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I thank both Mr. Thompson and Mr. Swalwell so much for bringing this bill forward.
Again, I would just like to point out the uniqueness of the exceptional country that we live in. There is never a time that Americans don't always stand up. We are the first responders anytime there is any kind of crisis or tragedy anywhere in the world.
I think it just points out uniquely how we are so exceptional in a world right now that seems to be torn apart and seems to be upside down in almost every measure, so to be able to be here today with you to take a look at our friends in the Philippines and understand the devastation that they have gone through and say we are just doing something, that makes sense. This is not a Republican issue or a Democrat issue; it is simply an American issue. Once again, American hearts have always pulled together anytime people really needed us.
I don't know if people realize that the gentleman from California (Mr. Swalwell) just arrived here, and it is a fete for him to be able to do this, to get this piece of legislation through.
So I strongly urge all of our colleagues to push forward on H.R. 3771. I just think it is unique for us at this time, especially, to get this done.
I yield back the balance of my time, Madam Speaker.
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