Expressing condolences to the citizens of Indonesia and support for the Government of Indonesia in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck the island of Sumatra.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 810) expressing condolences to the citizens of Indonesia and support for the Government of Indonesia in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck the island of Sumatra.

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

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

I would like to thank my good friend Congressman Dan Burton of Indiana, distinguished member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and co-Chair of the Indonesia Caucus, for his leadership in introducing this resolution.

This resolution extends our profound sympathy and condolences to the people of Indonesia for the terrible losses they suffered as a result of the massive earthquake that struck the island of Sumatra on September 30, 2009. Landslides triggered by the quake wiped out three villages in the province of West Sumatra. Nearly 700 lives were lost. Thousands have been injured and displaced, and a staggering number of houses, schools, and public buildings were destroyed or seriously damaged.

I want to extend my deepest sympathy and support to the Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who has been working tirelessly to deliver assistance to victims in response to this catastrophic event.

As a representative of American Samoa, a place that has also recently experienced calamity caused by a natural disaster, I know firsthand how difficult it is to see the people who elected you facing such profound losses. I also know how much it means to have support from friends and allies during these times of crisis.

Indeed, Indonesia has many friends around the world, as seen by the outpouring of international support for the earthquake relief efforts, which currently stands at about $16 million in financial commitments from more than 20 countries. For our part, the United States has released $300,000 for earthquake relief and has set aside an additional $3 million for recovery operations.

In addition, the Secretary of Defense has authorized $7 million for relief operations in Indonesia, which includes setting up a field hospital, sending three U.S. Navy ships with helicopters and lift capability, and 45 metric tons of emergency relief commodities.

These are all signs of enduring friendship between our two countries.

Time and time again, Indonesia has shown the world that democracy can not only survive, but thrive in a vibrant, multiethnic, moderate Islamic country. This resolution reflects our commitment to maintain a strong U.S.-Indonesia relationship and expresses our solidarity with the good people of Indonesia during these difficult times.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono).

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

Mr. Speaker, I will say that Indonesia has come a long way in establishing its democracy, being the largest democratic country. It happens to be a Muslim country with a population of some 225 million people.

I want to also commend President SBY for all that he is trying to do in helping the good people of West Papua. There have been some difficulties along the way, but I suspect that every effort is being made to address the needs of the people of West Papua. Certainly I congratulate them on the recent national elections that were done in such a way that it was again demonstrated that democracy can happen in a Muslim country like Indonesia.

So I want us to realize that only 5 years ago we had a tsunami that also impacted Indonesia, that some 220,000 people died as a result of that terrible disaster, and for which I am very grateful that our country responded in such a way that I think the people of Indonesia deeply appreciated our assistance.

So we are at this again. Another disaster struck Indonesia, and I thank the administration for all the efforts that are being made to give assistance to the good people of Indonesia.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have the honor and privilege of co-chairing the Congressional Indonesia Caucus with my good friend, Congressman Wexler. Accordingly, I want to take this moment to express my heartfelt condolences to the citizens of Indonesia, the President, and the Indonesian government in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes that struck the West Sumatra region this past month.

On September 30, 2009, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake that originated northwest of the city of Padang (population: 900,000) led to the loss of 800 lives. Countless more remain missing and are presumed dead while thousands have been displaced from their homes that were either destroyed or remain unsafe as ongoing tremors continue to bring uncertainty to the area.

The quakes have devastated the region, destroying over 83,700 houses, 200 public buildings, 285 schools, and have also caused extensive damage to an additional 100,000 buildings including hotels, mosques, shops, and hospitals, and approximately twenty miles of roads. Lying near the intersection of shifting tectonic plates, Indonesia is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Such devastation is yet another tragedy to strike the region, which is still recovering from the 2004 earthquake born from this very same fault line that resulted in the Indian Ocean tsunami and the loss of over 230,000 lives.

As a result, I am very pleased to join my colleagues today in passing House Resolution 810 expressing our condolences to the Indonesian people for the devastating earthquake and loss of life in their Sumatra region.

I would also like to commend the courage and perseverance of the Indonesian government and people as they work tirelessly with humanitarian organizations in distributing aid and mobilizing relief efforts. All the while, strong aftershocks continue to rock the region and create hazardous conditions for both residents and rescue workers.

There is still much to be done, yet the Indonesian government and countless other humanitarian and private groups continue to provide emergency assistance to those in need.

The U.S. also shows our support as we reaffirm our commitment by releasing millions in aid and contributing to the widespread international response. We continue to regard Indonesia as an important ally, recognizing its recent democratic transition and transformation into the world's third largest democracy. In addition, hosting the world's largest Muslim majority, the people of Indonesia demonstrate that Islam and democracy are not mutually exclusive and can successfully work in tandem. Thus, we look forward to fostering future cooperation between the United States and Indonesia in the areas of trade, national security, and cultural awareness and appreciation.

The Indonesian people have seen tremendous change in the last decade, and they once again continue to persevere through tragedy. It is my hope that our nations will only continue to grow in our commitment to one another and to freedom, justice, and democracy.

I would like to thank Congressman Berman and Ranking Member Ileana Ros-Lehtinen for helping to move this important resolution to the floor.

And, again I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Indonesian people and the family and friends of those who are suffering greatly as a result of this disaster.

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.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, introduced by my good friend and colleague, Dan Burton of Indiana, expressing the condolences of the Congress and the American people regarding the loss of life and property suffered by the people of Indonesia. The devastating earthquake which struck the island of Sumatra on September 30 has reportedly led to the deaths of at least 700 people and the displacement of thousands more from their homes.

The concern and the generosity of the American people is well-known to the people of Indonesia, as demonstrated following the devastating tsunami which struck their country in late December of 2004. The sight of U.S. military personnel engaged in tsunami rescue and relief operations made all Americans proud. The involvement of our two former U.S. Presidents in the Bush-Clinton Tsunami Relief Fund further demonstrated that when a crisis occurs, we are indeed our brothers' and sisters' keeper.

The United States came to Indonesia's assistance once again after this most recent earthquake. We provided $300,000 in immediate response and set aside an additional $3 million for further relief efforts. The U.S. Navy was once again deployed, with three ships being dispatched with helicopters to provide emergency relief and supplies.

We send the relief workers and the people of Indonesia our prayers and our best wishes for a rapid and full recovery as they continue their courageous efforts to assist the injured and to locate the missing.

I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, we continue to reserve.

Mr. Speaker, we yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 810. I would like to thank Congressman Dan Burton for his work on this resolution.

In February 2008, I visited Indonesia as a member of the House Democracy Partnership. While our focus was meeting with members of the Indonesian House of Representatives, we made it a point to also visit Banda Aceh on the island of Sumatra.

As you may recall, in December 2004, Banda Aceh was the closest major city to the epicenter of an Indian Ocean earthquake and suffered further damage by a tsunami that struck shortly afterwards. That earthquake measured 9.3 on the Richter scale.

The awesome power of the tsunami was brought home to us as leaders of Banda Aceh showed us how the whole

area had literally been leveled and ships from port were swept inland by the water's force. Of course, the human tragedy was incalculable. Children became orphans instantly. Mothers, fathers and families were devastated.

The recovery efforts in which the United States played a major role were extraordinary. What I was most impressed with, however, was the remarkable resiliency and spirit of the people of Banda Aceh. It is that same resiliency that I am sure will rise again out of the tragedies of the earthquakes and aftershocks of September 2009.

My thoughts are with those who were lost, their loved ones, and the tens of thousands of survivors who are struggling in the aftermath. I stand with President Obama in his offer of assistance that will help alleviate the suffering and provide relief in this region.