February 23, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H671 Program’s food distribution surge while con- overwhelming successful initial response. We dedication and assistance in the after- tinuing to work with the U.N. Stabilization Mis- all owe you a debt of gratitude and our undy- math of the January 12, 2010, Haitian sion in Haiti, MINUSTAH, the international ing support. earthquake, as amended. community and local responders to alleviate Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. The Clerk read the title of the resolu- human suffering and support humanitarian re- Madam Speaker, I rise today to voice my sup- tion. lief efforts. port for H. Res. 1066 to recognize the bravery The text of the resolution is as fol- The hospital ship USNS Comfort, embarked and efforts of the United States Armed Forces, lows: with nearly 1,000 medical personnel, is treat- local first responders, and other members of H. RES. 1059 ing a steady stream of Haitian patients. Com- Operation Unified Response for their coordi- Whereas a catastrophic earthquake meas- fort’s hospital capabilities include fully- nated response to the January 12, 2010 Hai- uring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck the na- equipped operating rooms, digital radiological tian earthquake. I am remarkably proud of the tion of Haiti at 4:53 p.m. (local time) on Jan- services, a medical laboratory, a pharmacy, an work we have done to assist with the recovery uary 12, 2010; optometry lab, a CAT-scan and two oxygen- efforts in Haiti after this earthquake devastated Whereas the January 12, 2010, earthquake producing plants. Comfort’s bed capacity is Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas. was the largest earthquake to hit the island- nation in over 200 years and has caused un- about 1,000. With this in mind, many citizens from my conscionable loss of life, affected over Members supporting Operation Unified Re- home city of Dallas answered the call to serv- 3,000,000 people, and caused widespread phys- sponse are also helping move thousands of ice and went to Haiti to help with relief efforts. ical devastation to buildings and infrastruc- pounds of medical aid to various distribution I am particularly moved by the work of Dr. ture; points and are working with local officials to Craig Hobar who is the founder of Life En- Whereas United States urban search and address long-term rehabilitation of the Haitian hancement Association for People, LEAP, a rescue teams (US&R) were immediately acti- public health system. non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing vated and deployed from Fairfax County, As of February 21 the incredible members and enriching the lives of people around the Virginia, Los Angeles County, California, of Operation Unified Response had delivered and Miami-Dade County, Florida, to assist world by providing specialized medical serv- the United States Agency for International more than 2.6 million bottles of water, 2.2 mil- ices. Shortly after the earthquake in Haiti, Dr. Development (USAID) Disaster Assistance lion food rations, 17 million pounds of bulk Hobar was in the country with Dr. Ale Mitchell Response Team (DART); food and 147,000 pounds of medical supplies to help assist with amputations and trauma Whereas each US&R task force is com- into Haiti. Additionally, water production con- surgeries. In addition to this, Dr. Hobar has prised of 70 members, who are multifaceted tinues as U.S. military and international water pledged to help bring volunteer medical teams and cross trained in the major functional purification units produce thousands of gallons to Haiti from around the world for the next areas of search, rescue, medical, hazardous of drinkable water daily. year through the LEAP Foundation. materials, logistics, and planning, and who are supported by trained canines able to con- I would like to personally thank the profes- Madam Speaker, I encourage my fellow col- sional team of Sailor, Soldiers, Airmen, Ma- duct physical search and heavy rescue oper- leagues to join me today in honoring all the ations; rines and Coast Guardsmen of U.S. Southern first responders in Haiti by supporting this im- Whereas task forces have been activated Command for their role in providing guidance portant resolution. for natural and man-made disasters and inci- and securing passage for a Texas-based initial b 1415 dents both at home and abroad, including response medical team. These military profes- hurricanes, earthquakes, and the attacks of sionals played a key role in arranging for the Mr. FLEMING. Madam Speaker, I September 11, 2001; doctors and medical personnel from the Forest yield back the balance of my time. Whereas New York City’s first responders Park Medical Center to obtain the necessary Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, hav- asked the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster As- clearance from the State and Defense Depart- ing no further requests for time, I yield sistance (OFDA) to activate a New York City back the balance of my time as well. US&R task force shortly after the disaster ments to fly jets carrying supplies, seven doc- struck; tors, six nurses, two techs, and two search The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Whereas the 511 United States rescue and rescue volunteers to Haiti. question is on the motion offered by workers comprised roughly one-third of the The medical team, led by Dr. Richard Tous- the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. entire international US&R effort in Haiti; saint, flew from Dallas Love Field Airport and SKELTON) that the House suspend the Whereas more than 130 people have been arrived in Haiti where they treated about 600 rules and agree to the resolution, H. rescued from under the rubble in Haiti by patients, including 70 amputations, and 150 Res. 1066. the US&R task forces, of whom at least 47 surgeries. The team also provided medical The question was taken. were rescued by United States US&R task The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the forces; and supplies to Haiti’s Hospital Sacre Coeur. Whereas United States US&R task forces America is committed to deliver her support opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being deployed to Haiti also trained many of the to our neighbor who is still in dire need of our in the affirmative, the ayes have it. other foreign search and rescue task forces continued and immediate humanitarian assist- Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, on in Haiti; ance. This effort will be a monumental task that I demand the yeas and nays. Whereas, on January 21, 2010, Assistant that will take years to complete but we must The yeas and nays were ordered. Secretary of State for the Bureau of Inter- be resolute to help the people of this strug- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- national Narcotics and Law Enforcement Af- gling island nation rebuild their livelihoods. ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the fairs David T. Johnson and New York City To date the United States Government has Chair’s prior announcement, further Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly signed a Memorandum of Understanding contributed over $400 million in earthquake re- proceedings on this motion will be (MOU) to provide the Haitian national po- sponse funding for Haiti. It has also deployed postponed. lice, among other police forces, with training approximately 19,000 military personnel in f and technical assistance; and support of the relief effort. Subsequently, as Whereas the search and rescue effort in HONORING THE HEROISM OF THE part of the new Government of Haiti-lead ef- Haiti officially transitioned to a long-term SEVEN URBAN SEARCH AND fort, the U.N. World Food Program will provide humanitarian relief effort on January 23, RESCUE TEAMS DEPLOYED TO commodities, non-governmental organizations 2010: Now, therefore, be it HAITI Resolved, That the House of Representa- will manage distributions, and U.S. military will tives— Mr. MCMAHON. Madam Speaker, I provide security escorts. (1) honors the bravery and dedication of America and her allies have delivered a move to suspend the rules and agree to the United States Agency for International comprehensive, interagency response to the the resolution (H. Res. 1059) honoring Development, Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster earthquake. The State Department, Depart- the heroism of the seven United States Assistance, and Federal Emergency Manage- ment of Defense, Department of Homeland Agency for International Development ment Agency supported urban search and Security, Coast Guard, USAID—all worked and Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster As- rescue teams, the best trained of these teams vigorously to ensure critical resources were sistance supported urban search and in the world; positioned to support the response and recov- rescue teams deployed to Haiti from (2) congratulates the 511 United States New York City, New York, Fairfax urban search and rescue workers for the ery effort, including efforts to find and assist many lives they helped to save in Haiti; American citizens in Haiti. County, Virginia, Los Angeles County, (3) recognizes the contribution of these Once again I am proud of our Armed Serv- California, Miami, Florida, Miami- teams not only in the lives that they di- ices, the first responders and all the members Dade County, Florida, and Virginia rectly saved, but to the international teams of Operation Unified Relief that deliver an Beach, Virginia, and commending their that they trained and to the people of Haiti;

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:07 May 18, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD10\RECFILES\H23FE0.REC H23FE0 mmaher on DSKD5P82C1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE H672 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 23, 2010 (4) expresses its gratitude and appreciation The U.S. task force teams arrived in team from both the city of Miami and to the individuals and organizations that Haiti completely self-reliant. They Miami-Dade County. comprise the National Urban Search and brought their own shelter, food, and Importantly, however, this resolu- Rescue System for their unyielding deter- equipment. New York City Fire Com- tion also recognizes the entire urban mination and work as first responders to vic- tims of disasters from all hazards; missioner and Staten Island native Sal search and rescue team system that we (5) welcomes home the brave first respond- Cassano says the groups that were sent have operating in this great country of ers of the United States urban search and to Haiti were among the best trained in ours. Because the U.S. swiftly contrib- rescue teams; and the world by, of course, his department uted seven courageous teams to the (6) views the work of such teams and vol- and the police department led by Com- search and rescue efforts in Haiti, unteers as an important part of the Nation’s missioner Ray Kelly. The teams as- there were a number of additional contribution to the recovery of Haiti. sisted in all types of search and rescue teams standing ready to deploy should The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- operations, including concrete re- they be called upon. It is this compas- ant to the rule, the gentleman from moval, void searches, and confined sion and this courage which character- New York (Mr. MCMAHON) and the gen- space searches. They truly made a dif- izes the spirit of the American people. tlewoman from Florida (Ms. ROS- ference in the lives that they saved and Helping to train and work with var- LEHTINEN) each will control 20 minutes. in the other international search and ious international search and rescue The Chair recognizes the gentleman rescue teams which they trained as teams on the ground, there is no doubt from New York. well. that the contributions of our urban GENERAL LEAVE Altogether, the international search search and rescue teams went far and Mr. MCMAHON. Madam Speaker, I and rescue effort in Haiti resulted in beyond the many lives that they saved. ask unanimous consent that all Mem- over 130 lives saved. And although the I had the honor to meet with Mr. bers may have 5 legislative days to re- search and rescue phase of the disaster Dave Downey, the team leader of the vise and extend their remarks and in- relief effort in Haiti is over, many of Miami-Dade County urban search and clude extraneous material on the reso- the rescuers and members of the New rescue unit, just a couple of weeks ago lution under consideration. York City Police Department have here in D.C. to thank and congratulate The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there stayed on or will return to provide the him for the heroic service not just of objection to the request of the gen- Haitian national police, among other Mr. Downey, but of his entire team. tleman from New York? police forces, with training and tech- And I extend my heartfelt gratitude to There was no objection. nical assistance. all our urban search and rescue work- Mr. MCMAHON. Madam Speaker, I It is essential that immediate rescue ers who deployed in the aftermath of rise in strong support of this resolution and relief efforts be followed with a the Haiti earthquake. and yield myself such time as I may sustained commitment to Haiti’s long- I talked about the Miami-Dade part consume. term reconstruction and development, of this rescue effort, but I also com- Madam Speaker, on January 12, 2010, and I commend President Obama, with mend Miami Fire Chief Maurice Kemp the most devastating earthquake to the support of this Congress, and his and the City of Miami Department of strike Haiti in over 200 years ravaged able team for their leadership in this Fire-Rescue for their heroic service in the island nation and took with it hun- area. these efforts. The word ‘‘team’’ comes dreds of thousands of lives. The after- I commend the great heroism of the up a lot in this resolution, and that is math of this tragic earthquake will un- seven United States search and rescue how they acted, as a team, not as one doubtedly be felt for years to come, but teams that served in Haiti and wel- unit versus another, but how we can through the tragedy over 50 Haitian come them back to their homes and come together as a nation. They rep- and American families celebrated the families in New York, California, Vir- resented the best of what America has moment when their loved ones were ginia, and Florida. to offer. rescued from the rubble by the 511 Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- I thank my good friend, the Con- brave volunteers of the USAID/OFDA- ance of my time. gressman, for introducing this impor- supported urban search and rescue Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speak- tant measure. I encourage my col- teams deployed to Haiti. er, I yield myself such time as I may leagues to support it. And I am so glad These teams, which hail from New consume. that Mr. MCMAHON put in there the York City; Fairfax County, Virginia; I rise today as a proud original co- contributions of Miami and Miami- Los Angeles County, California; Miami, sponsor of the bill before us, House Dade rescue units. Florida; Miami-Dade County, Florida; Resolution 1059. Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Madam and Virginia Beach, Virginia, in most In the days following this horrific Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1059— cases alerted their rescue team com- disaster, many of us watched the end- Honoring the heroism of the seven United manders that they were ready and will- less news cycles with cautious hope as States Agency for International Development ing to serve in Haiti even before their search and rescue efforts were and Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance activation by OFDA. Their heroism is a streamed live around the world. With supported urban search and rescue teams de- true testament to the American spirit bated breath, we watched as time after ployed to Haiti from New York City, New York, and the underlying concern of all time earthquake survivors miracu- Fairfax County, Virginia, Los Angeles County, Americans toward their neighbors and lously appeared from the rubble, each California, Miami, Florida, Miami-Dade County, friends. rescue helping to reinforce the faith, Florida, and Virginia Beach, Virginia, and com- While highly skilled and experienced the strength, and the determination of mending their dedication and assistance in the in this type of dangerous work, the all who were and are involved in the re- aftermath of the January 12, 2010 Haitian challenges facing the search and rescue lief efforts in Haiti. earthquake. teams in the aftermath of this dev- More than 130 individuals were ulti- As you know, on Tuesday, January 12th, a astating earthquake were particularly mately saved from the rubble in the massive, 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck daunting. One night, as New York’s weeks following the earthquake, more Haiti near the capital of Port-au-Prince. There Task Force One team had already gone rescues of survivors over more days is still no official estimate of death or destruc- to base camp, the team rushed back to than ever before. This is a testament to tion but the damage to buildings is extensive the streets of Port-au-Price when they both the survivors and the rescuers. and the number of injured or dead is esti- heard rumors that there were still chil- The U.S. search and rescue units are mated to be in the hundreds of thousands. dren trapped in rubble nearby. That the best trained in the world. Without America is responding, and will continue to night, an 8-year-old boy was pulled by hesitation, several of these teams de- respond with immediate humanitarian assist- the team from the rubble and thanked ployed almost immediately following ance to help the people of this struggling is- his rescuers with a big hug and a big the earthquake. We ultimately sent land nation rebuild their livelihoods. I send my smile. The rescue team also saved a lit- seven of our best teams, roughly com- condolences to the people and government of tle girl buried in the same massive pile promising one-third of the entire urban Haiti as they grieve once again in the after- of rubble where the team recovered the search and rescue effort in Haiti. My math of a natural disaster. As Haiti’s neighbor, bodies of three other children that day. own district was proud to send one I believe it is the United States’ responsibility

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It has also deployed responders, and pledge that America’s long tation to hide and assist the Frank family to approximately 17,000 military personnel in term commitment to Haiti will live up to the avoid Jewish persecution at the hands of support of the relief effort. Subsequently, as standard that the first responders set. Nazi Germany; part of the new Government of Haiti-led effort, Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I rise today in Whereas Miep Gies helped hide and sustain the U.N. World Food Program will provide support of H. Res. 1059, a resolution honoring the Frank family, along with Hermann and commodities, non-governmental organizations the heroism of the seven urban search and Auguste Van Pels, their son Peter, and later will manage distributions, and U.S. Military will Fritz Pfeffer, for two years in a secret room rescue teams deployed to Haiti from New York above Opekta’s offices, bringing them food, provide security escorts. City, New York; Fairfax County, Virginia; Los American and her allies have already initi- supplies, and writing supplies for Anne; Angeles County, California; Miami, Florida; Whereas when the Gestapo captured the ated a comprehensive, interagency response Miami-Dade County, Florida; and Virginia Frank family, the Van Pels family, and Mr. to the earthquake. The State Department, De- Beach, Virginia, and commending their dedica- Pfeffer, on August 4, 1944, Miep Gies discov- partment of Defense, Department of Home- tion and assistance in the aftermath of the ered the pages of Anne Frank’s diary in the land Security, Coast Guard, USAID—all horrific January 12 Haitian earthquake. secret room and hid them for safekeeping; worked overnight to ensure critical resources I was pleased to be an original cosponsor of Whereas after learning that Anne Frank and her sister Margot died of typhus at Ber- were positioned to support the response and this resolution which congratulates the more recovery effort, including efforts to find and as- gen-Belsen, Miep Gies gave Anne Frank’s than 500 rescue workers, some of whom are diary to her father Otto, the only surviving sist American citizens in Haiti. from my congressional district in Fairfax Coun- Within days of last week’s devastating member of the family; ty, for the lives they helped save and for the earthquake, U.S. Southern Command de- Whereas ‘‘The Diary of a Young Girl’’ by work they undertook to train additional inter- Anne Frank, which has been translated into ployed a team of 30 people to Haiti to support national teams working in Haiti. 70 languages, is both an inspirational story U.S. relief efforts in the aftermath of one of the The enormity of the destruction that Haiti about hope in the face of senseless tragedy largest natural disasters in the western hemi- has experienced is difficult to comprehend. and an important testament for future gen- sphere. The team included U.S. military engi- erations to the horrors of the Holocaust; But in the face of this devastation, selfless neers, operational planners, and a command Whereas Miep Gies shared her recollections and control group and communication special- men and women from around our country to author Alison Leslie Gold for the book ists arriving on two C–130 Hercules aircraft. have given of their time and talents to help a ‘‘Anne Frank Remembered’’, which was later Since, there has been a tremendous inter- people and a nation in desperate need. I join made into a powerful documentary film; agency response with support and partnering my colleagues in recognizing and thanking Whereas Miep Gies, who would recount her them for their service. extraordinary life with a self-effacing mod- with U.S. Embassy personnel as well as Hai- esty that betrayed her unfailing courage and tian, United Nations and international officials Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speak- er, I yield back the balance of my time. integrity, serves as a powerful symbol of re- to assess the situation and facilitate follow on sistance against the forces of oppression and Mr. MCMAHON. I thank the ranking U.S. military support. injustice; Within hours of the earthquake, the United member of the committee for those re- Whereas Miep Gies represents the valor States sent world-class teams of search and marks, and I yield back the balance of demonstrated by the countless ordinary indi- rescue to help search for survivors. These my time. viduals who stood up to and helped defeat teams, from all across the country comprised The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Adolph Hitler’s Nazi regime; and roughly one-third of the entire international question is on the motion offered by Whereas Miep Gies passed away on Janu- the gentleman from New York (Mr. ary 11, 2010: Now, therefore, be it USAR effort in Haiti. In total, the United States Resolved, That the House of Representa- MCMAHON) that the House suspend the sent over five hundred and eleven rescue tives— workers. These rescue workers worked tire- rules and agree to the resolution, H. (1) recognizes Miep Gies’s courage in risk- lessly to search for survivors, and found and Res. 1059, as amended. ing her own life to hide and provide for the rescued more than 130 people from under the The question was taken. Frank family while they were in hiding; rubble. Without these search and rescue units, The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the (2) commends Miep Gies for retrieving and it is possible that these people would not have opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being preserving the diary of Anne Frank, which been located in time to save their lives. in the affirmative, the ayes have it. has served as an inspiration to countless peo- The search and rescue teams were, quite Mr. MCMAHON. Madam Speaker, on ple the world over; and that I demand the yeas and nays. (3) honors Miep Gies for her bravery during literally, our first responders. At a moment’s Nazi occupation of the Netherlands and her notice these men and women packed their The yeas and nays were ordered. dedication to preserving the memory of Anne bags and left their homes to confront the after- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Frank and the Holocaust. math of the largest natural disaster in recent ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- memory. I commend them for their readiness Chair’s prior announcement, further ant to the rule, the gentleman from and tireless commitment to saving lives. proceedings on this motion will be New York (Mr. MCMAHON) and the gen- Madam Speaker, over a month has passed postponed. tlewoman from Florida (Ms. ROS- since the earthquake, the search and rescue f LEHTINEN) each will control 20 minutes. missions have ended, and Haiti has The Chair recognizes the gentleman transitioned to long term reconstruction and HONORING THE LIFE OF MIEP GIES from New York. development. GENERAL LEAVE Recently, I proposed a plan that would in- Mr. MCMAHON. Madam Speaker, I Mr. MCMAHON. Madam Speaker, I crease the ability of the U.S. to assist Haiti in move to suspend the rules and agree to ask unanimous consent that all Mem- its efforts toward reconstruction and stabiliza- the resolution (H. Res. 1074) honoring bers may have 5 legislative days to re- tion to Dr. Rajiv Shah, the Administrator of the the life of Miep Gies, who aided Anne vise and extend their remarks and in- U.S. Agency for International Development. Frank’s family while they were in hid- clude extraneous material on the reso- This plan would create an oversight position ing and preserved her diary for future lution under consideration. within the USAID that would coordinate and generations. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there regulate faith-based and non-profit organiza- The Clerk read the title of the resolu- objection to the request of the gen- tions operating in the reconstruction efforts in tion. tleman from New York? Haiti. I also recommended the creation of a The text of the resolution is as fol- There was no objection. U.S. civilian corps, an extension of the Amer- lows: Mr. MCMAHON. Madam Speaker, I ican Peace Corps, that would be tasked the H. RES. 1074 rise in strong support of this resolution specific mission of assisting reconstruction ef- Whereas Hermine ‘‘Miep’’ Gies was born on and yield myself such time as I may forts in Haiti. This civilian entity would serve February 15, 1909, in Vienna, Austria; consume. as a supplemental contingent which could be Whereas Miep Gies was sent to live with a Anne Frank and her family’s struggle incrementally dispatched as needed by U.S. host family in the Netherlands when she was to survive the Holocaust is known to Government agencies or Nongovernment Or- 11 years old after the tumult of World War I millions around the world, but few re- ganization. led to food shortages in Austria; alize that the story of Anne and the

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