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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today released the following statement regarding the $10.5 billion emergency relief bill the House approved today for Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts. Hinchey fully supported the measure, which provides $10 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and $500 million for the Department of Defense's relief efforts.
"First of all, I want to extend my heartfelt condolences and prayers to those who lost loved ones in Hurricane Katrina's wrath. Thousands of people have died and countless others are sick, stranded without a home and forced to survive with little or no food and medicine. And sadly, criminal behavior has begun to run rampant throughout ravaged parts of the Gulf Coast. This hurricane is one of the greatest natural tragedies in our nation's history. All Americans stand united in our effort and commitment to helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina recover and get back on their feet again. We must provide food, safety, medicine, housing and support for our fellow Americans, and we must not rest until everyone receives aid.
"Today's $10.5 billion emergency relief bill is only the first step in what will undoubtedly be an enormous federal undertaking to help the victims and to rebuild New Orleans and other devastated parts of the Gulf Coast. While we must examine why funding has been cut for FEMA under this administration and why critical initiatives were shortchanged that could have helped prevent the devastation and loss of life, our main focus must be to move forward together as a united Congress and as a united American people to do anything and everything to help.
"Moments of great tragedy define the character of a nation. As we saw on September 11th, when our nation goes through its toughest moments, all Americans unite and rise to the occasion to support our fellow Americans who are suffering and in need of help. All across the country, Americans are sending donations, food, water, and other supplies along with their support and prayers to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. In this tragic moment in which we have seen the worst of Mother Nature, we are seeing the best of the American people. It is in that same spirit that the U.S. Congress, today and in the coming weeks and months, will relentlessly work to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina."
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