Mourning the loss of life caused by the earthquake that occurred on October 8, 2005, in Pakistan and India, expressing the condolences of the American people to the families of the victims, and urging assistance to those affected.

Madam Speaker, let me first of all thank the leadership of the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde) and the gentleman from California (Ranking Member Lantos) for their quick and compassionate expression that we now have on the floor of the House.

I rise today to join in the support of H.J. Res. 492, and I acknowledge as the cochair of the Pakistan Caucus, newly-founded, to have the pleasure of having both of the members of the Committee on International Relations leadership, the ranking member and chairman, being supportive of this effort, as I cochaired with my colleague, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton). I can assure my colleagues that we are very grateful for this profound statement, mourning the loss of so many. We do realize that the numbers continue to climb and that the difficulties are rising beyond our understanding.

Just this past Sunday, some 70 members of the South Asian community were convened by my office in Houston, people of different views and political perspectives, but they united, as we did with the tsunami, and we have called ourselves Houston's Solution for Earthquake Relief and Rehabilitation in Pakistan.

The reason I believe is because this picture is worth a thousand words. The impact on children is going to be unbelievable and without expression.

So it is very important as we look to, as my colleagues have said, the relief from the United States, that we do several things. One, we are the coordinator, and I congratulate the administration for designating Afghanistan as the site of the command, and we acknowledge the loss, devastation in Afghanistan, not as much loss of life, and certainly India has been a real partner. I met last week with the ambassadors from India and spoke to both of them and offered my sympathy and also how we can be involved. Obviously, the obvious things that are needed are food and medicine and tents, but, most of all, coordination and dollars.

So I am asking today that we put our heads together in this Congress and find the additional resources beyond the $50 million, because I can assure my colleagues that we believe these numbers are going to go up, not out of hysteria, of 100,000. We do not know the numbers for sure, but they will be climbing.

The added concern is that it is getting enormously cold. It makes it very difficult for the rescuers to come. The roads are impassable, and many of those who were in that room on Sunday could recount for me the very terrible stories of their relatives, living outdoors, no heating, no addressing of their wounds, and, of course, this picture that shows the children who are orphaned.

So I ask my colleagues to support H.J. Res. 492 and that we spend a moment of mourning, and I would ask that when it is appropriate that we rise in silence. During the time that we are on the floor of the House, I ask the Speaker to convene us in a moment of silence as we mourn for those who have lost their lives.

I finally conclude by saying that we are grateful for what we have been able to do, but we all know that a good Samaritan, no matter what faith you may articulate this philosophy, it is better to give than to receive. We have given and are still giving to our own who are victims and survivors of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. Many who would say who are listening to this debate or discussion that we have our own to take care of, and we realize that America does have the responsibility of her own, but we know also that America has many blessings to count for, and those blessings, I believe, come because we have been willing to give, even until it hurts. These are people who are in desperate need, children by the thousands are suffering, and we hope that we will be able to provide for them as well.

I ask my colleagues to support H.J. Res. 492.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 492, ``Mourning the loss of life caused by the earthquake that occurred on October 8, 2005, in Pakistan and India expressing condolences of the American people to the families of the victims, and urging assistance to those affected.''

Earlier this month, a disaster occurred on a virtually unimaginable scale when an earthquake violently shook Southeast Asia. Over 50,000 people were killed in India and Pakistan, and countless more were seriously injured. Whole cities were razed to the ground, and an estimated 2.5 to 3 million people lost their homes. This winter in Pakistan and India men, women, children, the elderly, the orphaned and the infirmed will be sleeping outside, exposed to the harsh mountain climate. They are lacking the basic necessities for life; in need of food, water, sanitation, basic healthcare, and adequate shelter.

Disasters of this magnitude, no matter where they occur, affect all of us. In the face of this disaster, countries from around the world have joined together in pledging humanitarian aid to the affected regions. The United States can uniquely sympathize with the suffering and devastation felt in the earthquake-ravaged region. We too have felt the bitter sting of a natural disaster this year. Our feeling of loss and suffering gives us only a glimpse, however, of the utter devastation in the affected regions of India and Pakistan. Our shared losses bring the United States closer to our fellow humans on the other side of the globe, and should only serve to strengthen our national resolve to help those in need, rather than give us excuses for not giving the full support of the American people.

The House of Representatives, together with the American people we represent, mourn the horrific loss of life and livelihood experienced in Pakistan and India. We offer them our fullest support in the reconstruction effort of the region, but also understand that no amount of money, goods, and supplies will replace the loss of life in the region. For this, we can only offer our deepest condolences to the people affected by the earthquake, and ask them to find the strength to see their friends, families, and communities through these difficult times.

I support H. Res. 492 for the foregoing reasons, and I appeal to my colleagues to follow suit. The people of Pakistan and India will be in all of our thoughts and our prayers. I yield the remainder of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise in strong support of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express the condolences of the United States Congress and the American people to the people of Pakistan and the people of India who have suffered so grievously from the horrendous earthquake that struck South Asia just 10 days ago.

Mr. Speaker, the day after the earthquake, I received a telephone call from the President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf. The President requested, in the strongest terms possible, assistance not only from our Nation but from other donors around the globe. I immediately reached out to our own government and to other friendly governments and to nongovernmental organizations, and I am profoundly grateful that additional aid is flowing to the people of Pakistan as we speak.

Each day, the news from Pakistan grows worse. The death toll now seems certain to rise above 55,000. More than 2 million people are homeless in the midst of recent torrential rainstorms, and the freezing cold of winter is fast approaching the mountainous regions most affected.

Landslides and poor weather have hampered relief operations, heightening the misery of the injured and the destitute as they wait for help. Relief supplies still have not reached many remote areas where whole villages have been devastated.

Over 30 nations, led by the United States, have rushed to aid and comfort the victims of the earthquake and its horrible after-effects. With natural disasters such as the South Asia earthquake and the Indian Ocean tsunami, the world has seen the generous heart of the American people.

Our country has committed $50 million in initial relief supplies only from our government. We have also dedicated eight military helicopters to fly humanitarian missions, and we have transported over 70 tons of relief supplies to the neediest in the most remote areas.

Mr. Speaker, the United States counts Pakistan as a strong ally in the war against terrorism, and it was my great pleasure recently to welcome President Musharraf to New York. Our assistance thus far proves that the United States is a solid friend of the Pakistani people. I urge our government and this Congress to support additional assistance to the people of Pakistan, India, and Kashmir.

Our resolution offers the condolences of the House of Representatives and of the American people to the families, to the communities, and to the governments of Pakistan and India. It welcomes the humanitarian relief offered by other governments, the United Nations and expresses gratitude for the courageous work being performed by individuals providing aid, relief and assistance, including U.S. civilian and military personnel, under often extremely dangerous conditions.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2\1/4\ minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley), a distinguished member of our committee.

(Mr. CROWLEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, before yielding time, I want to recognize my associate, Peter Yeo, who drafted and did the major work on this important legislation.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3\1/2\ minutes to my good friend and colleague from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

(Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to my good friend and our distinguished colleague from New York (Mr. Owens).

(Mr. OWENS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I am delighted to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez), a distinguished member of the Committee on International Relations and the chairman of the Democratic Caucus.

(Mr. MENENDEZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the distinguished ranking Democrat from California (Mr. Lantos) not only for his support but also for his leadership along with the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) in taking the lead on this important issue and bringing a resolution to the floor, one that I am strongly in support of.

As we learned in September here in the United States, natural disasters strike without warning, destroy our homes and communities, and challenge us to take care of the victims. We also learned that it is only with the help of the world that we can respond to such large- scale natural disasters. Over 90 countries responded after Hurricane Katrina, including both India and Pakistan. Now it is our turn to respond to them.

Current estimates are that over 40,000 people were killed in India and Pakistan, and the number is only expected to rise. We know that the rescue efforts have been difficult, because many of the villages that were hardest hit were in remote mountainous areas which are almost impossible to reach. In fact, the U.N. estimates that only 30 to 40 percent of an estimated 350 to 900 villages damaged by the earthquake have been inspected. Right now, many suffer without food, medicine, or shelter and face the oncoming winter cold with great fear.

I want to commend the international rescue effort that is underway and the U.S. contribution to that effort. As Andrew Macleod, the United Nations Operations Chief in Pakistan, said, the task of responding to this crisis is ``bigger than all of us.'' We have all heard the saying, ``the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.'' When nations contribute to the relief efforts in India and Pakistan, they are working together to create that greater response, that whole which is greater than the sum of its parts.

In response to the United Nations' appeal for $272 million for emergency aid, over 30 countries have already offered assistance, and the United States has pledged $50 million. I hope the world and the United States will continue to provide not only immediate, but long- term assistance to those areas that need it most, and I hope our combined efforts can prevent any public health disasters that could result from this tragedy.

Our diversity is our greatest strength and connects us to almost every country in the world. When tragedy strikes anywhere in the world, it is also directly felt in the homes of U.S. citizens who still have family and friends in their countries of origin. So I would like to acknowledge the actions of the U.S. Indian and Pakistani communities who are sending money and aid to help the survivors. I see that in my own home State of New Jersey, which has the third largest population of Indian Americans in the country and a very large Pakistani community as well.

In closing, I want to express my deepest sympathies and condolences to the families and friends of those who perished in last Saturday's earthquake in India and Pakistan. This has been a year of great trials and tribulations, of enormous disasters followed by unprecedented responses. But as we learned after the tsunami at the start of the year and during the hurricanes last month, and as I am confident we will see again with this earthquake, together we can be greater than the sum of our parts and overcome these grave natural disasters.

I encourage all Members to vote for the resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this very appropriate resolution. I think that beyond the spirit of this resolution there must be immediate response from the entire apparatus of the United States Government and from the United States people.

Madam Speaker, we are weary, maybe, of disasters. When you add up the tsunami and Katrina and Rita, and now in Pakistan 55,000 have already died, and in the mountains they are freezing cold, without any shelter, twice that number may die before it is over, and one might say, well, we just cannot keep going on. We are donor weary, we are disaster weary. That is ridiculous. When we add up all of these people, maybe we will get 100,000 victims, but the world consists of 6 billion people and more than 200 nations. We can take care of all of these disasters if we put our mind to it.

The United States must provide the leadership. $50 million is not enough. Speed is very important here. The formalities of waiting will mean that thousands and thousands of people will die unnecessarily.

Madam Speaker, I hope that we will use as many of the helicopters in Afghanistan as we can, send them across the border to Pakistan. Eight helicopters is not enough. That is the only way these areas can be reached in the mountains. The roads are not passable. There are no places to land other kinds of aircraft. Only helicopters can land.

I have one of the largest Pakistani communities in America in my district, and I visited Pakistan 4 years ago. I went to a school, several schools in Kashmir. One of the schools, an all-girls school that was having a test, an eighth grade test, I could see that eighth grade girls were studying quadratic equations. That is one of the schools that was crushed in the earthquake. I hope that the students were not in there. But I saw school after school of eager young people, anxious to learn, in those mountain schools. I went on those roads.

Madam Speaker, if not in humanitarian terms alone, let us stop and think about the diplomacy issues here. Pakistan has long been our ally. Throughout the whole Cold War, they were our ally. We could not have driven the Russians from Afghanistan. We did not have a single soldier involved, but we were behind the sting of missiles and the whole strategy that drove the Russians out of Afghanistan and led to the collapse of the Soviet Union, but they were disappointed we did not honor them more for that. That is in the past. Right now, they are helping us in the war against terrorism. Their government is at risk because of their position with the United States on terrorism.

What we do now with this earthquake, how we respond to this earthquake can determine the nature of our relationship with Pakistan forever. We have an opportunity, it is tragic, but an opportunity to demonstrate how we operate, how we react to help our friends. If they are really a friend, we can do so much more, and I hope that this resolution is just the beginning. I hope all Members will become sensitive to the fact that we can do more. We must do more. God expects us to do more.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I thank the chairman of the committee and the ranking member of the committee for introducing this resolution.

Through this resolution today, the House of Representatives will send the condolences of the American people to those who have been so tragically affected by the October 8 earthquake. I believe this House can do more than just send our condolences, though.

The President has taken the first step with the initial pledge of $50 million and the USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance activated its disaster assistance relief team quickly to ensure that urgent aid was provided. But the situation in Pakistan, the hardest hit in South Asia, remains critical.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that weather and lack of access to remote areas is delaying the aid needed to save countless lives. We are also seeing logistical problems in providing the basic needs of the people who were made homeless and without shelter by this quake and, as I mentioned earlier, further impaired by heavy rains and flooding in the earthquake region.

Critical needs such as food, clean water, and shelter are badly needed as the winter is fast approaching in this mountainous region, akin to the Adirondack region in New York State, which this time of year can have snow, and especially during the evening. So far, we have been able to help thousands of people, but that is simply the tip of the iceberg.

Madam Speaker, I represent one of the largest populations of South Asians in the country and over the past week I have been reaching out to my Pakistani community. What I have found is a community doing all that it can to

raise funds to help their families and friends who were so tragically affected by this earthquake. I also had the honor of speaking to a private Muslim school in my district to update them on the U.S. efforts to provide emergency relief. I was sad to learn that several students' families were directly affected, one student losing over 40 members of their family. The students and the community leaders were very grateful that our country is working to help their homeland, but we all agree that more can and needs to be done.

Madam Speaker, I challenge this House to provide for the millions who have been left injured and homeless. This is a chance not only to help people in need, but to change the hearts and minds of Muslim countries' attitude towards the United States.

After the tsunami, the majority of Indonesians changed their view of us because they saw the soft power of the United States. It is time to show that same soft power to the people of Pakistan so that they too can have a change of heart towards the United States and our people.