Van Hollen Statement on Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Efforts in the Indian Ocean Region

Van Hollen Statement on Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Efforts in the Indian Ocean Region

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) released the following statement today on the earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean Region:

"The death and devastation caused by the tsunami that struck the Indian Ocean region has stunned the world. I felt a special connection to many of the victims and their families since I spent many of my younger years in Sri Lanka and Southern India, where my father was a Foreign Service Officer. I have been to many of the towns and villages that were hardest hit. I have been heartened by the generous response from people throughout our community and around the world. I have participated in a variety of events in our community in support of relief and recovery efforts and was an original cosponsor of the federal legislation to provide assistance for disaster relief.

"Out of this horrible tragedy I hope we will all recognize that there is much more that unites the human family than divides us. Once the tragic images fade from our television screens and newspapers, we should remember that each year there are millions of people around the world, including mostly children, who die of hunger and disease. We must recommit ourselves to doing more to address these "silent tsunamis" that result in humanitarian catastrophes every year."

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/md08_vanhollen/tsunamireliefrelease.html