Hurricane Katrina is the largest natural disaster in the United States in decades, impacting large parts of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. There has been enormous damage to homes and businesses in the Gulf Coast region, as well as a significant loss of human life. Both the mayor of New Orleans and the governor of Louisiana now estimate that the number dead in New Orleans alone could be in the thousands. That estimate, if correct, would make Katrina the nation’s deadliest natural disaster since the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire, which killed up to 6,000 people.

As co-chair of the Congressional Hazards Caucus, I unfortunately know firsthand how damaging natural disasters can be. While I am devastated by the enormity of this tragedy, I know that our faith, tenacity and determination ensure that we will work, as a nation, to do all that we can to stem the crisis and help those in desperate need. Therefore, I rise today in full support of Congress’s initial payment for disaster relief for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

This supplemental appropriations bill contains $10 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and $500 million for the Department of Defense, for a total of $10.5 billion in relief aid. This funding is desperately needed. Currently, FEMA is spending $500 million a day to aid victims. If this supplemental spending bill is passed, the $10 billion allotted to FEMA will enable it to assist the people affected by the hurricane for another 20 days. This aid will focus on critical areas, including public health and sanitation, public safety, housing, energy supplies, national transportation infrastructure, commerce, and the safety and adequacy of food supplies.

Hundreds of thousands of Americans have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina and are turning to their elected representatives for assistance. We must do all we can to ensure an immediate and thorough response to these needs, and I fully support the $10.5 billion supplemental appropriation for disaster relief.

Very truly yours,

DENNIS MOORE
Member of Congress