H5278 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 30, 2010 (2) commends the brave efforts of the peo- lizing to provide much-needed assist- created an unfortunate sandwich effect ple of , , and ance to the relief and the recovery ef- in . But only through a as they recover from ; forts. united hemispheric-wide approach that (3) recognizes the assistance of the inter- The resolution before us recognizes is based on a shared commitment to de- national community during the recovery ef- the assistance efforts already under fort in providing relief to the people of Gua- mocracy, to security, to prosperity, temala, Honduras, and El Salvador; and way and urges the Secretary of State will we achieve success against the (4) urges the Secretary of State, in coordi- in coordination with the administrator narcotraffickers and organized crime. nation with the Administrator of the United of the Agency for Inter- States Agency for International Develop- national Development, or USAID, to Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ment (USAID), to continue to develop a stra- continue to develop a strategic plan extend my heartfelt condolences to the tegic plan to promote food security and re- with the goal of mitigating the effects families and friends of those who suf- covery efforts with the goal of mitigating of the recent natural disasters that fered as a result of Tropical Storm Ag- the current and future effects of the recent have devastated these three countries. atha. As the brave people of Guate- natural disasters that have devastated Gua- Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador mala, Honduras, and El Salvador con- temala, Honduras, and El Salvador. face a major challenge as they recover tinue to recover from this tragic dis- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. and rebuild. They deserve our contin- aster, please know that we have you in MAFFEI). Pursuant to the rule, the gen- ued support. our hearts and in our prayers. tlewoman from California (Ms. WAT- For these reasons, Mr. Speaker, I Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, SON) and the gentlewoman from Flor- urge my colleagues to support this im- ida (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN) each will con- I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1462, sup- portant resolution. port for the people of Guatemala, Honduras trol 20 minutes. I reserve the balance of my time. The Chair recognizes the gentle- Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I and El Salvador as they persevere through the woman from California. yield myself such time as I may con- aftermath of Tropical Storm Agatha which f sume. swept across Central America causing deadly b 2040 I rise today as a proud cosponsor of and mudslides. I would like to thank Mr. GENERAL LEAVE House Resolution 1462, which expresses MACK for introducing this resolution underlining our heartfelt support for our North American Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask the support of the United States to the neighbors in their time of desperate need. unanimous consent that all Members people of Guatemala, Honduras, and El may have 5 legislative days to revise Salvador in the aftermath of Tropical Mr. Speaker, the countries of Central Amer- and extend their remarks and include Storm Agatha. ica have suffered devastating damage and Having already declared a state of extraneous material on the resolution loss of life at the hands of Mother Nature. emergency following a volcano erup- under consideration. Tropical Storm Agatha has left over 200 dead The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there tion just 50 miles from and over 95,000 in shelters, most of them in objection to the request of the gentle- days earlier, Guatemala was hit by Guatemala. The powerful storm has inflicted woman from California? Tropical Storm Agatha on May 29, 2010. over $475,000,000 in damages throughout the Floods and mudslides devastated parts There was no objection. region, destroying critical water and sanitation of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Sal- Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in infrastructure. Combined with recent droughts, vador as a result of the storm. Hun- strong support of this resolution and high food prices and a dramatic drop in remit- dreds of lives were lost, hundreds of yield myself such time as I may con- tances from the United States, Guatemala in sume. thousands of survivors left in shelters. On May 29, 2010, Guatemala, Hon- Immediately following this disaster, particular has suffered severe food insecurity duras and El Salvador experienced dev- as we always do, the United States, as that will likely increase due to the effects of astating floods and mudslides caused a government and as a people, was the storm. by Tropical Storm Agatha. Agatha has standing by to lend a helping hand. The I join my fellow members in expressing our left 174 dead and directly affected more United States Southern Command, most heartfelt condolences for the loss of life than 62,000 families in Guatemala, SOUTHCOM, located in my home dis- and suffering the Guatemalan, Honduran and killed 22 and forced nearly 8,000 into trict in Miami, Florida, deployed four Salvadoran people have endured in the wake shelters in Honduras, and left 11 dead helicopters from Soto Cano Air Base in of the storm. We mourn for those who are no and 12,000 in shelters in El Salvador. Honduras to conduct aerial assess- longer with us, and extend our deepest sym- And to make matters worse, over 2,000 ments and transport emergency relief pathies to those they have left behind, in Guatemalans were displaced with little supplies to areas impacted by the dis- many cases without food or shelter. It is a forewarning following the eruption of aster. tragedy for anyone to lose their home, their fa- the volcano on May 27, 2010. The ability of SOUTHCOM to utilize ther, their mother, their children, their friends. The combination of the tropical resources from the Soto Cano Air Base We will do everything we can to help them re- demonstrates the important role that storm and the volcano has devastated cover from this disaster. Guatemala’s landscape leaving behind Honduras plays in enabling the United and mudslides across the States to provide support for security But we also commend the people of these country. In addition, due to recent and disaster purposes. SOUTHCOM also ravaged countries for their bravery, and for droughts, erratic rainfalls and high sent personnel from Miami to join a standing tall in the face of adversity. In spite food prices, a sharp drop in remit- humanitarian assessment team on the of the frustration and sadness that come in the tances, Guatemala now faces severe ground in Guatemala. And I was proud aftermath of a disaster, they are fighting hard food insecurity, and this is expected to to see Royal Caribbean Cruises, also of to recover. They could certainly use our help. increase in the wake of Tropical Storm Miami, work with the Pan American The international community and the United Agatha. Development Foundation to help trans- States have already responded. Countries, Guatemalan officials are estimating port food to the tens of thousands of NGOs and humanitarian aid agencies from that damages will surpass $475 million. survivors in the days following the around the world have generously contributed In Honduras, the loss in the agriculture storm. millions of dollars in medicine and aid, and sector could be close to $18.5 million. In The growing security challenges fac- mobilizing to transport and deliver support and all three countries, critical infrastruc- ing Guatemala, Honduras, and El Sal- supplies. The United States continue to assert vador as a result of narcotraffickers ture relating to water and sanitation and strengthen our commitment to participate and vicious gangs have only been com- has been destroyed. in the global outpouring of support to our dev- The United States has provided relief plicated by this recent natural dis- astated neighbors to the south. for the victims of Tropical Storm Ag- aster. It will be critical for the United atha by deploying United States States to work with responsible demo- After all, we are no strangers to the effects Southern Command support heli- cratic nations in the region to ensure of natural disasters, and many of our cities copters and frigates to assist with the that this does not become a window of have suffered through more than their fair transport of food, water, and emer- opportunity for criminals. share. As a Representative of the good people gency supplies. Humanitarian aid agen- The success we have seen in Colom- of Houston, Texas, many of the Atlantic hurri- cies in the United States and countries bia and the ongoing efforts being taken canes and tropical storms that wreak havoc and NGOs around the world are mobi- in against the drug cartels have every summer hit very close to home. From

VerDate Mar 15 2010 06:16 Jul 01, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A30JN7.066 H30JNPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE June 30, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5279 Ike to Ivan to Wilma to Katrina, we know all would be an appropriate date to designate as cluding Congresswoman ANNA ESHOO too well the devastation that befalls those un- ‘‘National ESIGN Day’’: Now, therefore, be it and Congressman JAY INSLEE. The pas- fortunate enough to be standing in the path of Resolved by the House of Representatives (the sage of that bill has helped more Amer- Senate concurring), That Congress— ican companies to operate globally, one of the North Atlantic’s deadly hurricanes (1) supports the designation of a ‘‘National or tropical storms. We have seen the destruc- ESIGN Day’’; and it has helped to increase produc- tion first hand; I have spoken to the victims; (2) recognizes the previous contribution tivity and efficiency for consumers, we have known the pain and suffering those made by Congress to the adoption of modern businesses, and governments. natural disasters can cause. solutions that keep the United States on the When President Clinton signed the We know the road of recovery can be long leading technological edge; and bill into law in June 2000, he said, and fraught with challenges. But we have re- (3) reaffirms its commitment to facili- ‘‘Just imagine if this had existed 224 covered, and so shall the people of Guate- tating interstate and foreign commerce in an years ago. The Founding Fathers increasingly digital world. mala, Honduras and El Salvador. And the wouldn’t have had to come all the way United States must help ensure that they do. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- to Philadelphia on July 4 for the Dec- As such, I am proud to stand behind my fel- ant to the rule, the gentleman from laration of Independence. They could low members in calling upon the Congress to Washington (Mr. MCDERMOTT) and the have emailed their John Hancocks in.’’ urge the Secretary of State and the United gentleman from Illinois (Mr. SHIMKUS) Now, 10 years later, that is what States Agency for International Development each will control 20 minutes. businesses and governments in every to continue working on a strategic plan to pro- The Chair recognizes the gentleman corner of the globe are able to do—in- mote food security and recovery efforts, with from Washington. stantly complete transactions that the aim of mitigating current and future effects GENERAL LEAVE used to take days. of the recent natural disasters that have dev- Mr. MCDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I ask I reserve the balance of my time. astated Guatemala, Honduras and El Sal- unanimous consent that all Members Mr. SHIMKUS. I yield myself such vador. may have 5 legislative days in which to time as I may consume. Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I revise and extend their remarks and in- It is great to be down here with my yield back the balance of my time. clude extraneous material in the colleague Mr. MCDERMOTT. Usually, I Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield RECORD. don’t like resolutions, you know, but back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there he approached me on the floor. This is The SPEAKER pro tempore. The objection to the request of the gen- a really important one, and I think it question is on the motion offered by tleman from Washington? is important to go back over the his- the gentlewoman from California (Ms. There was no objection. tory of what we did 10 years ago. Mr. Speaker, everything was paper. WATSON) that the House suspend the b 2050 rules and agree to the resolution, H. You had to have paper copies. You Res. 1462, as amended. Mr. MCDERMOTT. I yield myself couldn’t do bank transactions. You The question was taken. such time as I may consume. couldn’t do certifications. You couldn’t The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate do business documentation. opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being the 10th anniversary of the signing of My colleague mentioned ANNA in the affirmative, the ayes have it. the Electronic Signatures in Global ESHOO, who is a great friend of mine on Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I object and National Commerce Act, the the committee. JAY INSLEE is also a to the vote on the ground that a ESIGN bill, a landmark piece of legis- great friend of mine on the committee. quorum is not present and make the lation that has transformed how we I serve on the Energy and Commerce point of order that a quorum is not conduct interstate commerce and busi- Committee. I’ve been on the Tele- present. ness. The advent of e-signatures has communications Subcommittee. I The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- brought enormous benefit to both con- think credit goes to Chairman Bliley, ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the sumers and businesses alike by dras- and I think credit goes to Billy Tauzin. Chair’s prior announcement, further tically improving convenience, reduc- The great thing about Energy and proceedings on this motion will be ing costs, and increasing the speed of Commerce is a lot of the issues that we postponed. transactions. address cut across partisan lines, espe- The point of no quorum is considered As many of you know, I represent Se- cially on the Technology Sub- withdrawn. attle, which is one of the most wired committee. and high-tech cities in the world. So the signing of this bill really f ESIGN has greatly improved the abil- helped, as my colleague said, and it SUPPORTING DESIGNATION OF ity of companies in my district to be really changed the way we can conduct NATIONAL ESIGN DAY more effective and competitive in the business in the new digital age. It is global marketplace. Mr. MCDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I really a great credit, and it does merit move to suspend the rules and agree to I would especially like to acknowl- taking the time to think back on those the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. edge Seattle-based electronic signature folks who pushed for this, in a bipar- 290) expressing support for designation platform provider DocuSign for being a tisan resolution and through both of June 30 as ‘‘National ESIGN Day’’. leader in the electronic signatures and Chambers, in order to get the bill The Clerk read the title of the con- records industry and for helping spear- signed into law. current resolution. head the coalition to recognize June 30 I am sure there was opposition by The text of the concurrent resolution as National ESIGN Day. Members in both parties. In fact, I is as follows: DocuSign recognizes that the bene- know one famous Democrat on the fits of e-commerce extend beyond the committee who wasn’t an original sup- H. CON. RES. 290 dollar values that are placed on busi- porter of this. So the fact that Chair- Whereas the Electronic Signatures in Glob- ness activity. With over 30,000 current man Bliley and Billy Tauzin, as the al and National Commerce Act (ESIGN) was customers and having served over 4.5 enacted on June 30, 2000, to ensure that a sig- chairmen of the subcommittee and the nature, contract, or other record relating to million people to date, DocuSign pro- full committee, were all engaged in a transaction may not be denied legal effect, vides its customers with confidence in support shows what we can do when we validity, or enforceability solely because it the integrity and credibility of emerg- work together. is in electronic form; ing electronic capabilities. They have The Electronic Signatures in Global Whereas Congress directed the Secretary of been a leader in removing obstacles and National Commerce Act, ESIGN, Commerce to take all actions necessary to and barriers to business transactions represents a critical step in harmo- eliminate or reduce, to the maximum extent online and in allowing their customers nizing the world’s global commerce and possible, the impediments to commerce in to work faster, more reliably, and more contract law with a modern electronic electronic signatures, for the purpose of fa- cilitating the development of interstate and securely. and increasingly Internet-dependent foreign commerce; and It is important we recognize the fore- world. This happened during the 106th Whereas June 30, 2010, marks the 10th anni- sight and vision of those who worked Congress. It was my second Congress. I versary of the enactment of ESIGN and so hard to pass ESIGN 10 years ago, in- came in during the 105th.

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