Congressional Record—House H15231
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December 11, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H15231 As my colleagues may know, on the of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. After lis- and starvation due to the current lack of ac- 15th of November a powerful, category tening to his concerns and insights, it is my cess to drinking water and medicines. One re- five-equivalent tropical cyclone struck hope that Bangladesh will move swiftly toward lief worker in Bagerhat went so far as to say low-lying areas of Bangladesh from the regaining its status as a thriving, emerging de- that the region looked like a ‘‘valley of death.’’ Bay of Bengal. Mr. Speaker, in the mocracy and set an example for its neighbors Unfortunately, the worst may be yet to come. West we call these tropical storms hur- and the rest of the world. Health officials have begun to warn against ricanes, and in the Far East they call The region has been undergoing serious po- the serious threat posed by cholera, dys- them cyclones. Be that as it may, they litical and economic changes, with several na- entery, and other waterborne diseases as a both have destructive power. Being tions undergoing significant political upheaval. result of the limited access to water supplies from southeast Texas on the gulf coast, Key among these is Bangladesh, where emer- and sanitation facilities that millions of we call the area ‘‘hurricane alley,’’ and gency rule was declared by President Iajuddin Bangladeshis will face. we are not unfamiliar with hurricanes. Ahmed following opposition protests during the As a member of the international commu- Even this year, Hurricane Humberto, run-up to the January 2007 elections. This nity, the United States must offer its support and Hurricane Rita 2 years ago hit my military-backed caretaker government, cur- and assistance to a nation that has been dev- area of the State of Texas. rently headed by Fakhruddin Ahmed, is ex- astated by such a tremendous natural dis- So, the effects of hurricanes and cy- pected to continue to hold power through aster. The United Nations World Food Pro- clones are devastating. The effects of 2008, though some observers have estimated gram has appealed to the international com- Cyclone Sidr has been extremely dev- that elections will not actually take place until munity to provide aid to the peoples of Ban- astating to the people. Some 6.8 mil- 2009 or later. gladesh, noting that food supplies have been lion people have been affected by this It is my sincere hope that the military- severely disrupted by the cyclone leading to disaster, 3,000 people have died, 1,000 backed caretaker government currently in an increased and very real threat of famine. people are unaccounted for, and ap- power in Bangladesh will promptly lift the state This resolution is significant because it reaf- proximately 15,000 people have been in- of emergency and move expeditiously toward firms the commitment of the United States to jured. In the immediate aftermath of holding free and fair elections. It would also be provide relief aid to the victims of Cyclone Sidr this storm, President and Mrs. Bush of- my expectation that the caretaker government as its effects continue to unfold. Furthermore, fered condolences to the victims, espe- will abide by internationally recognized stand- this resolution calls upon the United States to cially those who lost loved ones, people ards of human rights and due process in its immediately make available any and all appro- who lost homes and livelihoods in this activities. I am personally concerned by re- priate assistance that has been requested by tragedy. ported events in Bangladesh, including the the Bangladeshi authorities. The United States immediately con- ban on political and union activity; the restric- I believe that it is imperative that the United veyed to the authorities in Dhaka its tions on free movement, free assembly, free States government express its heartfelt sym- willingness to assist in responding to association, free speech and a free press; and pathy and support to the people of Ban- this natural disaster. The United the denial of bail and other due process rights gladesh in the wake of this terrific disaster, States Agency for International Devel- to more than 200,000 jailed individuals, ac- which is why I am a proud cosponsor of this opment provided more than $19 million cording to some accounts. legislation. I urge my colleagues to join me in in emergency funds to support relief In this key period of political change, one strongly supporting this legislation, and to call and early recovery activities, including that will hopefully ensure a more free and fair for still more to be done. shelter and water, sanitation, hygiene democratic Bangladesh, the nation has been Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I have no programs and emergency food assist- hit by an unthinkable natural disaster that has other speakers, and I yield back the ance. The United States Department of affected all ways of life. On November 15, the balance of my time. Defense has also provided invaluable southern coast of Bangladesh was struck by Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speak- assistance, with 2,400 United States Cyclone Sidr with raging winds of 155 miles- er, I have no further requests for time, marines and sailors helping the Ban- per-hour smashing tens of thousands of and I yield back the balance of my gladesh Government provide clean homes, damaging roads and buildings, and time. water, medical aid, food, and other re- causing a 16 foot tidal surge that has de- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The lief supplies to the victims of this cy- stroyed thousands of hectares of crops. question is on the motion offered by clone. Indeed, more than 162,000 pounds This natural disaster is estimated to have af- the gentleman from New York (Mr. of relief supplies have been delivered to fected over 4 million people thus far, with mil- MEEKS) that the House suspend the Bangladesh by USS Kearsarge and the lions being evacuated from their homes due to rules and agree to the resolution, H. 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit as of loss or damage. The Bangladesh Disaster Res. 842, as amended. early this month. Ministry now estimates that some 750,000 The question was taken. Mr. Speaker, Bangladesh and the homes were damaged or destroyed in the The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the United States have been close friends aftermath of Cyclone Sidr. As a Member of the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being since 1971. Our hearts go out to those House Foreign Affairs Committee and Chair of in the affirmative, the ayes have it. who have suffered so grievously during the Congressional Children’s Caucus, I am es- Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speak- this disaster, and on behalf of the pecially concerned by the internal displace- er, on that I demand the yeas and nays. American people it is fitting that we ment of millions of Bangladeshis, over The yeas and nays were ordered. reiterate our commitment to assist the 400,000 of whom are children below the age The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- people of Bangladesh as they recover of five. The catastrophic death toll has already ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the from this devastating storm, and I urge reached 3,500, though the Bangladesh Red Chair’s prior announcement, further support of this resolution. Crescent has warned that the number of proceedings on this motion will be Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker. deaths may climb as high as 10,000 in what postponed. I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 842, is being called the greatest destruction from a f expressing sympathy to and pledging the sup- cyclone in Bangladesh in 16 years. HONORING THE LIFE AND ACCOM- port of the House of Representatives and the It appears we are only just beginning to see PLISHMENTS OF LUCIANO people of the United States for the victims of the effects of this great human catastrophe. PAVAROTTI Cyclone Sidr in southern Bangladesh, intro- While Cyclone Sidr is responsible for wide- duced by my distinguished colleague from spread destruction, the five provinces of Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speak- New Jersey, Representative ROTHMAN. This Patuakhali, Barguna, Bagerhat, Barisal, and er, I move to suspend the rules and important resolution reaffirms the commitment Pirojpur that sit on the southern coast of Ban- agree to the resolution (H. Res. 708) of the United States to the people of Ban- gladesh were the most drastically affected. honoring the life and accomplishments gladesh in the wake of the devastation of Cy- The nation’s capital, Dhaka, which is located of Luciano Pavarotti and recognizing clone Sidr. over 130 miles away from the country’s dev- the significant and positive impact of Mr. Speaker, Bangladesh has long been a astated coastline, still lost access to power his astounding musical talent, his valued ally of the United States; and a key and food for days following the storm. Hun- achievement in raising the profile of Muslim democracy in a region where adher- dreds of thousands of people in southern Ban- opera with audiences around the world, ence to democratic principles is at a premium. gladesh’s remote areas have been cut off from and his commitment to charitable Recently, I met with Mr. Don Haque, nephew relief operations leading to massive suffering causes. VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:16 Dec 14, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 J:\CRONLINE\2007BA~5\2007NE~2\H11DE7.REC H11DE7 mmaher on PRODPC24 with CONG-REC-ONLINE H15232 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 11, 2007 The Clerk read the title of the resolu- tleman from Texas (Mr.