Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), founder and co-chairman of the Congressional Sri Lankan Caucus, today announced plans to introduce legislation to provide humanitarian aid and relief to the victims of devastating earthquake in South Asia over the weekend. Pallone also wants to ensure that the aid package includes funding to expand the early warning system to prevent future disasters.

The New Jersey congressman said that he will work with his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to introduce the package at the start of the 109th Congress, set to begin next week, that will provide both humanitarian aid to the nations that were impacted, as well as funding for an advanced early warning system.

"A tragic disaster of such a large magnitude deserves our immediate attention and assistance," said Pallone. "As human beings we have all been horrified by the loss of so many lives and we must do everything that is in our power to ensure that the victims of this tragedy receive the help that they so desperately need."

Pallone lauded President Bush for his pledge to provide "all appropriate assistance" to the region and Pallone expressed hope that the Administration would go a step further and offer the necessary technical assistance needed to expand and improve the early warning system.

"Our hearts go out to those that lost loved ones, and we send our assurances that on this sad day, the international community is sharing in their grief," Pallone said. "Furthermore, we must work to ensure that this type of tragedy is not repeated without warning being provided to areas in the path of destruction."

The current early warning system maintained by the United States only extends into the Pacific basin. However, coastlines from Indonesia to South Africa vulnerable to earthquakes and are currently not monitored. Scientist believe that had an early warning system been in place over the weekend, many of the nations impacted would have received several hours warning before the tsunamis hit their coastline.