Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 800) expressing sympathy for the citizens of the Philippines dealing with Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma, 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 on the resolution under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, this resolution extends our profound sympathies and condolences to the good people of the Philippines for the terrible losses they suffered as a result of Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma. I would like to thank my good friend and colleague, Representative Jackie Speier from California, for her leadership in introducing this important legislation.

On September 26, Typhoon Ketsana brought the heaviest rainfall in 40 years, leaving 80 percent of Manila under water. The storm killed more than 330 people, left nearly 40 missing, forced more than 135,000 families into evacuation centers, and destroyed or badly damaged nearly 40,000 houses. Eight days later, Typhoon Parma hit the Philippines, causing further destruction in areas that were still saturated by the previous storm and resulting in the loss of an additional 28 lives.

I certainly would like to express my deepest condolences and sympathies to the families who lost their loved ones in the storms and to those who were injured and displaced from their homes. It is my sincere hope that the good people of the Philippines will find strength and solace knowing that the world stands by them in these very trying times.

The United States and the Philippines continue to maintain close ties based upon historical relations, common interests, and shared values. The Filipino American community is the second largest Asian American group in the United States, and they make an invaluable contribution to our own country here in America.

This resolution reflects our steadfast commitment to this relationship, as well as our strong desire for a speedy recovery of our friends in the Philippines who are suffering from the aftermaths of these two major natural disasters.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the author and the sponsor of this important legislation, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Speier).

Mr. Speaker, I do thank the gentlewoman and the author of this resolution, Ms. Speier, for her most eloquent statement. I thank her also for her offered help concerning what happened in my own district in American Samoa.

At this time, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Chu).

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan).

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers at this time.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following message of support from Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yu, Myung-hwan of the Republic of Korea in response to the massive tsunami that struck American Samoa on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.

Embassy of the

Republic of Korea,

Washington, DC, October 5, 2009.

Hon. Eni Faleomavaega,

Chairman, Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global

Environment, U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Dear Mr. Chairman: It was with deep grief that I learned of

the heavy loss of life and the disastrous property damages

caused by the tsunami that swept your hometown, and would

like to express my most profound sympathy and condolences to

you and the people in the American Samoa, particularly to

those who have lost their loved ones.

I earnestly hope for speedy relief and rehabilitation under

your leadership.

Sincerely yours,

Yu, Myung-hwan,

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following message of support from Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki of Japan in response to the massive tsunami that struck American Samoa on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.

Embassy of Japan,

Washington, DC, September 30, 2009.

Hon. Eni F.H. Faleomavaega,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Dear Representative Faleomavaega: It is with great sadness

that I learned of the tragic loss of life in American Samoa

due to yesterday's earthquake and tsunami. My condolences go

out to the families and friends who have lost loved ones, and

I pray for the speedy recovery of those who were injured as

well as the communities that have suffered much damage.

The people of American Samoa have our heartfelt sympathies

as they rebuild their homes and communities.

Sincerely,

Ichiro Fujisaki,

Ambassador of Japan.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following message of support from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi in response to the massive tsunami that struck American Samoa on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.

The thoughts of the entire Congress are with the people of

American Samoa as they grapple with the terrible loss of life

as a result of today's tsunami. As the island works to

rebuild, all levels of the government, including Congress,

will move quickly to address the needs of American Samoa and

the Americans who live there.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following message of support from House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer in response to the massive tsunami that struck American Samoa on Tuesday, September 29, 2009:

I want to offer my deepest sympathy to all those in

American Samoa and Samoa who lost loved ones in this terrible

tragedy. We are all saddened by the loss of life and the

scope of damage done. Our thoughts are with Eni Faleomavaega,

American Samoa's delegate to the House of Representatives,

and we will keep him and everyone affected in our prayers.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following message of support from Chairman Howard L. Berman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs in response to the massive tsunami that struck American Samoa on Tuesday, September 29, 2009:

I want to express my deepest condolences to the people of

American Samoa and Samoa who have suffered great losses from

the tsunami that swept the islands. The losses are

staggering. The sympathy of the Foreign Affairs Committee is

with our good friend and the chairman of the Subcommittee on

Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment, Eni

Faleomavaega, the delegate from American Samoa. We commend

him for his efforts and extend our fullest support during

this trying time.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following message of support from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yang Jiechi, of the People's Republic of China in response to the massive tsunami that struck American Samoa on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.

Hon. Hillary Rodham Clinton,

Secretary of State, Department of State, Washington, DC,

October 2, 2009.

Dear Madam Secretary, I wish to extend to you, and through

you to the people of American Samoa, my deepest condolences

and sympathy following the recent powerful tsunami which has

caused severe casualties and damage. We mourn the loss of so

many lives and it is our sincere wish that the people in the

affected areas will overcome the disaster and rebuild their

homes as quickly as possible.

Sincerely yours,

Yang Jiechi,

Minister of Foreign Affairs,

People's Republic of China.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following message of support from the Permanent Mission of Grenada to the United Nations as Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) in response to the massive tsunami that struck American Samoa on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.

Permanent Mission of

Grenada to the United Nations,

New York, NY, October 1, 2090.

Note No. 080/09

Hon. Eni Hunkin Faleomavaega,

Office of the Representative for American Samoa, Washington,

Madam Speaker, I submit the following message of support from Ambassador Marlene Moses of the Republic of Nauru in response to the massive tsunami that struck American Samoa on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.

Embassy of the Republic of Nauru

New York, NY, October 1, 2009.

Hon. Eni F.H. Faleomavaega,

Rayburn House Office Building,

Washington, DC.

Dear Congressman Faleomavaega, I wish to express my

heartfelt condolences to you and the people of American Samoa

for the tragic loss of life and devastation caused by the

recent tsunami that has affected American Samoa. The thoughts

and prayers of the people of Nauru are with you as you work

towards recovery after this disaster.

If there is anything I can do to be of assistance, please

let me know.

Yours sincerely,

H.E. Marlene Moses,

Ambassador Extraordinaire

and Plenipotentiary.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following message of support from Ambassador Abdulaziz Kamilov of the Republic of Uzbekistan in response to the massive tsunami that struck American Samoa on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.

Embassy of the Republic

of Uzbekistan,

Washington, DC, September 30, 2009.

Hon. Eni Faleomavaega,

Congressman of the United States of America, Washington, DC.

Dear Congressman Faleomavaega, I have learned with deep

sorrow the news of the tragic event in your country,

resulting in numerous casualties.

Please accept my heartfelt condolences and convey our

sympathy to the families and friends of the victims.

Abdulaziz Kamilov,

Ambassador.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following message of support from Ambassador Sudjadnan Parnohadiningrat of the Republic of Indonesia in response to the massive tsunami that struck American Samoa on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.

Kedutaan Besar Republick Indonesia, Embassy of the

Republic of Indonesia,

Washington, DC, October 1, 2009.

Hon. Eni F.H. Faleomavaega,

Chairman, House Sub-Committee on Asia and the Pacific,

Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.

Dear Sir. I have followed with sadness the distressing

developments shown recently on the news channels regarding

the massive tsunami that has struck your home islands of

American Samoa causing numerous loss of lives and a great

deal of suffering among the islanders.

On behalf of my staff, and in my own behalf, may I offer

our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to you and the

people of the islands of Samoa on account of the suffering

that they are enduring at this time.

We, Indonesians, understand all too well the situation now

being faced in Samoa and share in your pain and suffering, as

we are being reminded of our own Tsunami in December of 2004.

Even at this writing we, too, are experiencing a massive

earthquake that is spreading disaster on the island of

Sumatra and exacting upon us a very heavy human toll.

May we join you in your prayers to God Almighty for mercy

to those who have lost their lives, and for strength and

fortitude to those who have to continue in the face of

nature's fury.

Sincerely yours,

Sudjadnan Parnohadiningrat,

Ambassador.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following message of support from Ambassador Bela Szombati of the Republic of Hungary in response to the massive tsunami that struck American Samoa on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.

October 1, 2009.

Hon. Eni F.H. Faleomavaega,

Congressman, Rayburn House Office Building,

Washington, DC.

Dear Congressman Faleomavaega, I was deeply shocked to

learn about the terrible tsunami and earthquake near the

coast of American Samoa on 29 September, 2009 taking the life

of 31 people.

The news about the tragic catastrophe shocked the entire

Hungarian community in the United States and the citizens of

Hungary as well.

On behalf of the Republic of Hungary and myself I express

my sincere condolences to the relatives of those who lost

their lives in the earthquake and tsunami in American Samoa.

Yours sincerely,

Bela Szombati,

Ambassador of Hungary.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following message of support from Ambassador Dessima M. Williams of Grenada in response to the massive tsunami that struck American Samoa on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.

Permanent Mission of Grenada to the United Nations,

New York, NY, October 1, 2009.

Hon. Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin,

Representative for American Samoa, Rayburn House Office

Building, Washington, DC.

Hon. Hunkin: It is with a sense of grief that I express, on

behalf of the Government and people of Grenada and myself,

our deepest sorrow and sympathy to the Government and people

of American Samoa and yourself on the loss of lives and

destruction caused by the recent Tsunami. Our heartfelt

condolences go out to your people and, in particular, to the

grieving families and friends.

As you are aware, Grenada is very concerned about the

vulnerability of island nations to such natural disasters and

of the negative effects such disasters bring to the

development of our countries. However, it is our sincere

belief that through the strength, resilience, and persistence

of the people as well as the diligence of the Government of

American Samoa, the challenges caused by this extremely

difficult circumstance could be overcome.

I take this opportunity on this grave occasion to extend

Grenada's commitment and solidarity to the Government and

people of American Samoa.

Sincerely yours,

Dessima W. Williams,

Ambassador,

Permanent Representative.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following message of support from Jason C. Yuan, representative of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the United States in response to the massive tsunami that struck American Samoa on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.

Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the

United States,

Washington, DC, September 30, 2009.

Hon. Eni Faleomavaega,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Faleomavaega: On behalf of the government and

the people of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I am writing to

express our deepest condolences and support for the people of

American Samoa after a massive tsunami hurled by a powerful

earthquake yesterday.

I was greatly saddened by the tragic loss of life, as well

as the damage to property, livelihoods and power outages. My

thoughts and prayers are with the injured, the families who

lost their loved ones and those who remain missing.

I also have offered our willingness to help in our most

recent communications with officials in the Obama

Administration. Please do not hesitate to inform me if we can

be of assistance for the relief and recovery efforts.

With deepest sympathy,

Jason C. Yuan,

Representative.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following message of support from President Johnson Toribiong of the Republic of Palau in response to the massive tsunami that struck American Samoa on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.

Dear Mr. Chairman: I was shocked and deeply saddened this

morning when I found out that your beautiful islands were

devastated by an earthquake and tsunami. I became more and

more distressed throughout the day as the news reports

advised just how devastating the tsunami had been. Words

cannot truly express how heartrending that news was to me.

My deepest sympathies go out to you and to the people of

American Samoa, especially the victims of this tragic

disaster. Please convey my heartfelt condolences to your

elected and traditional leaders and to your people. The

Republic of Palau and I stand ready to assist your recovery

efforts in whatever way we can. Please do not hesitate to

call upon us.

Sincerely yours,

Johnson Toribiong.