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Congressional Record—House H11325 October 14, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H11325 years has ever been given as an exam- people that will celebrate Diwali this (4) works closely with the Government of ple of this one human being that, by Saturday; I certainly hope it will be a the Philippines to improve disaster mitiga- the way, the former Prime Minister, joyous occasion. tion techniques and compliance among all Winston Churchill, described him as a Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I key sectors of their societies. ‘‘naked fakir,’’ in very derogatory yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- terms, I suppose, in that respect be- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ant to the rule, the gentleman from cause Mr. Winston Churchill believed question is on the motion offered by American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavega) that the British Empire should rule for the gentleman from American Samoa and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. another 1,000 years perhaps. (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA) that the House ROS-LEHTINEN) each will control 20 But I must say that, yes, there is ab- suspend the rules and agree to the reso- minutes. solutely no question that the life and lution, H. Res. 603. The Chair recognizes the gentleman the legacy of this great man, Mahatma The question was taken; and (two- from American Samoa. Gandhi, literally transformed even the thirds being in the affirmative) the GENERAL LEAVE civil rights movement here in our own rules were suspended and the resolu- Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, country. And for good, I say, yes, abso- tion was agreed to. I ask unanimous consent that all Mem- A motion to reconsider was laid on lutely, influenced people like Rosa bers may have 5 legislative days to re- the table. Parks, and especially the great and the vise and extend their remarks and in- late Martin Luther King, Jr. for what f clude extraneous material on the reso- he has done to transform American So- EXPRESSING SYMPATHY FOR THE lution under consideration. ciety, making it better than what it CITIZENS OF THE PHILIPPINES The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there was. DEALING WITH TROPICAL STORM objection to the request of the gen- I would like to quote to my col- KETSANA AND TYPHOON PARMA tleman from American Samoa? leagues what Albert Einstein said: ‘‘I There was no objection. believe Gandhi’s views were the most Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, enlightened of all the political men in to the resolution (H. Res. 800) express- I rise in strong support of this resolu- our time.’’ tion and yield myself such time as I Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance ing sympathy for the citizens of the Philippines dealing with Tropical may consume. of my time. Mr. Speaker, this resolution extends Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. To close on our Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma, as amended. our profound sympathies and condo- side, Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield lences to the good people of the Phil- 4 minutes to the gentleman from Cali- The Clerk read the title of the resolu- tion. ippines for the terrible losses they suf- fornia (Mr. ROYCE), the ranking mem- The text of the resolution is as fol- fered as a result of Tropical Storm ber on the Subcommittee on Ter- lows: Ketsana and Typhoon Parma. I would rorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade. like to thank my good friend and col- Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, let me H. RES. 800 league, Representative JACKIE SPEIER thank the gentlelady from Florida. Whereas, on September 26, 2009, Tropical As cochairman of the Congressional Storm Ketsana made landfall on the Phil- from California, for her leadership in Caucus on India and Indian Americans, ippines with the heaviest rainfall in 40 years introducing this important legislation. I rise in support of House Resolution equivalent to a typical month of rain during On September 26, Typhoon Ketsana monsoon season; 603, recognizing the 140th anniversary brought the heaviest rainfall in 40 Whereas 80 percent of the capital, Manila, years, leaving 80 percent of Manila of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi. was submerged under water as a result; Today, we give special remembrance under water. The storm killed more Whereas at least 3,000,000 persons have than 330 people, left nearly 40 missing, to one of the most revered people of the been affected by Tropical Storm Ketsana; last century. Preaching nonviolence, Whereas more than 135,470 families or forced more than 135,000 families into Gandhi dedicated his life’s work to 686,000 persons have been forced into evacu- evacuation centers, and destroyed or helping others. As a leader in the In- ation centers; badly damaged nearly 40,000 houses. dian National Congress, Gandhi led Whereas the casualties, as of October 9, Eight days later, Typhoon Parma hit campaigns to ease poverty. He led the 2009, include at least 237 dead, 308 injured, the Philippines, causing further de- and 37 missing; struction in areas that were still satu- campaigns to expand women’s rights. Whereas more than 4,640 houses were dam- And of course he is remembered for his rated by the previous storm and result- aged or destroyed; ing in the loss of an additional 28 lives. efforts to build religious amity. Above Whereas Tropical Storm Ketsana has all else, however, Gandhi worked tire- caused at least $4,800,000,000 in damages; I certainly would like to express my lessly to free his nation and helped di- Whereas following the devastation caused deepest condolences and sympathies to rect India into a new era of democracy. by Tropical Storm Ketsana, Typhoon Parma the families who lost their loved ones His methods to do this included lead- hit land October 2, 2009, bringing with it in the storms and to those who were in- ership by example. It included his orga- more torrential rain causing further flood- jured and displaced from their homes. nizational ability. It also included ing, landslides, crop damaged, and killing at It is my sincere hope that the good peaceful civil disobedience as a tool least 193 more people; people of the Philippines will find Whereas the United States and the Phil- strength and solace knowing that the and his power to persuade by force of ippines have a unique and enduring relation- argument. These were the ways in ship that is based on shared history and com- world stands by them in these very try- which he motivated those not only in mitment to democratic principles, as well as ing times. his own nation, but around the world on strong economic ties; The United States and the Phil- to this cause. Whereas the historical and cultural links ippines continue to maintain close ties Having traveled to India during the between the Philippines and the United based upon historical relations, com- second round of voting during India’s States remain important; and mon interests, and shared values. The recent election, the largest democratic Whereas the Filipino American community Filipino American community is the display the world has ever seen, I is the second largest Asian-American group second largest Asian American group in the United States with a population of ap- would have to say that Gandhi himself proximately 3,100,000: Now, therefore, be it in the United States, and they make an would indeed have been proud of how Resolved, That the House of Representa- invaluable contribution to our own far his nation has come. Under his tives— country here in America. guidance, India has become a plural- (1) mourns the terrible loss of life caused This resolution reflects our steadfast istic democracy of many religions and by Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon commitment to this relationship, as ethnic groups, I think probably as plu- Parma that occurred on September 26, 2009, well as our strong desire for a speedy ralistic as the United States. We are and October 1, 2009; recovery of our friends in the Phil- (2) expresses its deepest condolences to the ippines who are suffering from the here today to help keep the spirit of families of the many victims; Gandhi alive and to remember his re- (3) urges President Obama to continue to aftermaths of these two major natural markable achievements. support the Philippines with emergency re- disasters. Before I close, I would also like to ex- lief supplies, logistical, transportation as- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of tend my best wishes to the millions of sistance, and financial support; and my time. VerDate Nov 24 2008 00:31 Oct 15, 2009 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K14OC7.045 H14OCPT1 wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with HOUSE H11326 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 14, 2009 Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, to resulting in at least 337 deaths, 308 in- The ties between the United States open the debate on our side of the aisle, jured, and 37 missing. Then, just one and the Philippines are among the I am so pleased to yield such time as he week later, as Filipinos labored around strongest we have with any Asian may consume to the gentleman from the clock on recovery efforts, Typhoon country. Our two peoples have stood California (Mr. ROYCE), the ranking Parma struck Luzon, the heart of the together in war and in peace, with Fili- member on the Subcommittee on Ter- Philippine agricultural region which pino comrades-in-arms enduring, with rorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade. supplies half of the nation’s supply of our own veterans, the siege of Cor- Mr. ROYCE. I thank the gentlelady rice.
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