Date: 2010-06-30
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1462. support for the people of Guatemala. Honduras and El Salvador as they persevere through the aftermath of Tropical Storm Agatha which swept across Central America causing deadly floods and mudslides. I would like to thank Mr. MACK for introducing this resolution underlining our heartfelt support for our North American neighbors in their time of desperate need. Mr. Speaker. the countries of Central America have suffered devastating damage and loss of life at the hands of Mother Nature. Tropical Storm Agatha has left over 200 dead and over 95.000 in shelters. most of them in Guatemala. The powerful storm has inflicted over $475.000.000 in damages throughout the region. destroying critical water and sanitation infrastructure. Combined with recent droughts. high food prices and a dramatic drop in remittances from the United States. Guatemala in particular has suffered severe food insecurity that will likely increase due to the effects of the storm. I join my fellow members in expressing our most heartfelt condolences for the loss of life and suffering the Guatemalan. Honduran and Salvadoran people have endured in the wake of the storm. We mourn for those who are no longer with us. and extend our deepest sympathies to those they have left behind. in many cases without food or shelter. It is a tragedy for anyone to lose their home. their father. their mother. their children. their friends. We will do everything we can to help them recover from this disaster. But we also commend the people of these ravaged countries for their bravery. and for standing tall in the face of adversity. In spite of the frustration and sadness that come in the aftermath of a disaster. they are fighting hard to recover. They could certainly use our help. The international community and the United States have already responded. Countries. NGOs and humanitarian aid agencies from around the world have generously contributed millions of dollars in medicine and aid. and mobilizing to transport and deliver support and supplies. The United States continue to assert and strengthen our commitment to participate in the global outpouring of support to our devastated neighbors to the south. After all. we are no strangers to the effects of natural disasters. and many of our cities have suffered through more than their fair share. As a Representative of the good people of Houston. Texas. many of the Atlantic hurricanes and tropical storms that wreak havoc every summer hit very close to home. From Ike to Ivan to Wilma to Katrina. we know all too well the devastation that befalls those unfortunate enough to be standing in the path of one of the North Atlantics deadly hurricanes or tropical storms. We have seen the destruction first hand. I have spoken to the victims. we have known the pain and suffering those natural disasters can cause. We know the road of recovery can be long and fraught with challenges. But we have recovered. and so shall the people of Guatemala. Honduras and El Salvador. And the United States must help ensure that they do. As such. I am proud to stand behind my fellow members in calling upon the Congress to urge the Secretary of State and the United States Agency for International Development to continue working on a strategic plan to promote food security and recovery efforts. with the aim of mitigating current and future effects of the recent natural disasters that have devastated Guatemala. Honduras and El Salvador.