Expressing condolences to the citizens of Italy and support for the Government of Italy in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck the Abruzzo region of central Italy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 430, ``Expressing condolences to the citizens of Italy and support for the Government of Italy in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck the Abruzzo region of central Italy,'' which was introduced by my distinguished colleague Representative Pascrell. This legislation is important to ensure that we remember those who lost their lives in this tragic natural disaster.

On April 6, 2009, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 shook central Italy, causing serious damage in the mountainous Abruzzo region east of Rome. This is the worst earthquake in Italy since a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Eboli, south of Naples, in 1980, killing more than 2,700 people.

The earthquake caused damage to between 3,000 and 11,000 buildings, the majority of which are in the medieval city of L'Aquila and the surrounding villages. 297 people were killed by the earthquake, 20 of which were children, and approximately 1,000 people were injured. 66,000 people were made homeless. Nearly 11,700 rescue workers provided emergency relief.

Texas is no stranger to the effects of a natural disaster. In 2008, Hurricane Ike, which was the third most destructive hurricane to ever make landfall in the United States, caused the deaths of 37 people while dozens are still missing. In Houston, eight deaths have been blamed on Hurricane Ike.

Texas sustained major damage due to Hurricane Ike: an estimated 100,000 homes were flooded; many trees were uprooted; bus stop shelters were mangled; Houston's theater district was flooded; flights in and out of Houston's two major airports were suspended; most of Houston's roads were clogged for nearly two weeks; and many residents remained without power for several weeks after the hurricane. As the representative from Houston, I can truly sympathize with the Italian people and express my sincere sympathy to every life that was touched by this tragedy.

Additionally, this legislation mourns the loss of life and expresses condolences to the families of those killed and injured in the earthquake that struck the Abruzzo region of Italy. It also applauds the response of Italian rescue workers, recognizes the deep ties between the United States and Italy and expresses continued solidarity with the people of Italy during this time of crisis.

Furthermore, this legislation supports President Obama's offer of U.S. assistance to Italy in response to this event and expresses gratitude to the people of the United States who have supported those humanitarian aid agencies working to assist the people of Italy in this

time of need. The U.S. Embassy in Rome has provided $50,000 in emergency relief funding and President Obama has pledged to devote resources to preserving the region's cultural and artistic heritage. Additionally, as part of the U.S. effort to support the Italian people, the U.S. Department of State and the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) formed a public-private partnership to respond to the educational needs of the University of L'Aquila, and will strive to help the students and other human resource needs. The students are key to the future of the region, and the University is the economic lifeblood of the city of L'Aquila. It is therefore vital to help this sector recover in this time of need.

The Abruzzo earthquake is a tragedy that has affected lives all over the world, the least we can do as a Congress, and as a nation, is to recognize those involved in this tragedy and those who are helping Italy to rebuild. We cannot withhold this honor from those victims that perished in the tragedy. As honored Members of Congress, we have the opportunity to ensure that proper recognition is given to those involved in the earthquake.

I firmly believe that we must pass this legislation in order to demonstrate our support of those people who lost their lives and those people who lost their loved ones, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, just a short while ago I returned from Afghanistan. The fifth largest contingency in NATO is from Italy, so we have many reminders through history and specifically now of what our relationship is between the United States and Italy. So we rise to support this resolution, H. Res. 430, expressing our deepest sympathies to the citizens of Italy.

This earthquake was devastating, Mr. Speaker. It ruined a large part of the Abruzzo part of Italy. The magnitude of this earthquake is understood by many Americans. The university town of L'Aquila, along with 26 other surrounding cities, towns, and villages, suffered massive destruction. You already have heard of how many people were killed; 15,000 buildings destroyed. They were historic. They were cultural landmarks. Seventy thousand people were displaced. So we extend our deepest sympathies. The homes and churches can be rebuilt, but we can never replace loved ones.

Despite the aftershocks that continued to devastate the region for days after, rescue workers demonstrated true heroism by pulling over 100 survivors from the wreckage. Their efforts, along with those of humanitarian aid organizations around the globe who continue to work tirelessly to return people to their homes and rebuild the region, deserve commendation. After traveling to Italy earlier this year, I can attest to the resiliency and the strength of the Italian people. And I remind us again of the 2,350 troops that fight alongside our brave men and women in Afghanistan.

It is trying times like these that allow us to recognize the deep and binding ties between our nations, the United States of America and Italy. This tragedy only brings our two nations closer together.

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the many organizations in the United States, including the National Italian American Foundation, NIAF, who are continuously working to raise funds to aid the rebuilding efforts in Abruzzo. The Italian American community's support and solidarity with the nation of Italy has only increased in the aftermath of this natural disaster.

I also want to commend the Italian Ambassador, Giovanni Castellaneta, for his leadership and commitment to the Italian American community.

I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this resolution to offer our sincere condolences to the nation of Italy for its tremendous loss as well as pledge our continued support to the Italian Government. I will do so also this afternoon when I greet President Berlusconi.

The G-8 summit is being held July 8, 9, and 10, and that has been moved to L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region to redirect funding to that region to help with the general reconstruction. Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, of course, and our President, President Obama, will be there with our Italian friends.

I urge the passage of this legislation. I want to thank the chairman and the Speaker. I want to thank the ranking member for all of your courtesies. This is something we need to get involved in, to commend American organizations for reaching out to our brothers and sisters.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 430) expressing condolences to the citizens of Italy and support for the Government of Italy in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck the Abruzzo region of central Italy, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution which expresses condolences to the citizens and the Government of Italy in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in the Abruzzo region.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank my good friend and my colleague, Mr. Pascrell from the great State of New Jersey, for introducing this important resolution that allows the House to add its voice to the international outpouring of sympathy for the Italian people in the wake of this natural disaster.

On April 6, the Abruzzo region of central Italy was struck by a 6.3 magnitude on the Richter scale earthquake. Nearly 300 people were killed while tens of thousands were left homeless. In addition to the terrible loss of life and livelihood, the earthquake damaged nearly 15,000 buildings, including hundreds of churches, castles, and heritage sites.

The U.S. Embassy in Rome immediately provided $50,000 in emergency relief funding while President Obama expressed his condolences and offered additional American assistance. Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi, the host of the next G-8 meeting, has relocated the July summit to the town of L'Aquila that was at the center of the devastation. As he explained, ``The G-8 in L'Aquila represents the message of hope for the entire region struck by the earthquake.''

It is appropriate that the House pauses today, Mr. Speaker, as Prime Minister Berlusconi is in Washington, DC, to express its deepest condolences to the families killed and injured in the earthquake. We also reaffirm the deep ties shared between our people and two countries. I strongly support this resolution, and I urge all of my colleagues to do likewise.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, how much time do we have remaining?

At this time, I yield all of the time that he may want to consume to my good friend and colleague and the author of this legislation, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).

Mr. Speaker, I also yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of this resolution which expresses our condolences and sympathy for the people of Italy following the terrible loss of life which occurred in the central Abruzzo region last April which was struck by a powerful earthquake. Tragically, the 6.3 magnitude earthquake, which struck in the early morning of April 6, killed over 250 people. Tens of thousands more were left homeless as their family properties were destroyed. Over 15,000 buildings rich in culture and history were obliterated in just moments by the powerful shocks.

I note that despite the danger from the strong aftershocks after the earthquake, heroic Italian rescue workers

nevertheless entered the unstable buildings at risk to themselves and pulled hundreds of survivors to safety.

Mr. Speaker, when we think of Italy, our first thoughts are of the beauty, the history, the culture, and especially the warmth and kindness of its people. As a Nation, America also has a tremendous affinity for Italy since our country has been greatly enriched by those Italian immigrants who came to our shores, became part of our American Nation, and contributed so much to our culture and economic prosperity. And so in the wake of that immense disaster, Americans mourned in sympathy with the people in Italy over their tremendous loss and committed to stand with them as they work to rebuild and recover.

I'm pleased to support this resolution which expresses our deepest condolences to the Italian people and note that with the support of American citizens, humanitarian organizations are continuing to provide assistance in the rebuilding of those cities that were affected by the earthquake. I urge my colleagues to support passage of this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, today the Congress expresses its deepest condolences for those who suffered because of the earthquake in Abruzzo in April, and the Congress expresses its strongest support for Italy as it rebuilds from this crisis.

Soon after this disaster struck, I called Prime Minister Berlusconi on behalf of my colleagues in the Congress to express our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those lost. President Obama and other leaders from around the world have offered assistance to those affected. Prime Minister Berlusconi and the Italian government have the steadfast support of the American people as they help the people of Abruzzo rebuild.

As someone who can trace my family's roots back to Venice, Genoa, Campobasso, Sicily, and Abruzzo, I am personally committed to ensuring that the United States provides all possible assistance.

In 1980, I had the opportunity to visit Southern Italy in the aftermath of another earthquake as part of a U.S. delegation. I saw firsthand the courage of the Italian people in the face of a similar tragedy. The world saw Italy emerge from this crisis stronger than before.

America is a land discovered by an Italian, named for an Italian, and built by millions of Italian Americans.

The bond between the United States and Italy is uniquely strong because of the vital role daughters and sons of Italy have played in the United States from its discovery to today.

Today, we mourn those lost in Abruzzo and those struggling to rebuild their lives. And today, as in times of both crisis and calm, we stand beside each other as allies and friends.