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Washington, DC -- In a letter to House Appropriators sent today, Congressman John Sarbanes expressed his strong support for considerable U.S. financial assistance to Greece, to help rebuild lives and restore property in the aftermath of this summer’s devastating wildfires.
Specifically, the Congressman (along with a list of 14 cosigners) is asking committee leadership to ensure that the next emergency supplemental appropriations bill include substantial financial assistance for reforestation, floor and erosion prevention, emergency management and preparedness, environmental recovery, improved irrigation systems, transportation and infrastructure reconstruction and other areas of redevelopment.
Throughout the summer, a series of massive fires broke out in several areas across Greece. In early September more than 3,000 forest fires were recorded. These fires destroyed numerous homes and were responsible for 68 deaths.
In response to the devastation, Congressman Sarbanes introduced a bill to extend the condolences and sympathy of the House of Representatives to the Government and the people of Greece for the grave loss of life and vast destruction caused by the damaging fires raging through Greece. That bill passed the House by a vote of 407 to 0.
Preliminary cost assessments put the economic devastation at $14 billion. The wildfires ravaged some to the most productive areas in Greece.
Greece is one of the most stable and established democracies in Southeastern Europe. U.S. bases in Greece are used on a daily basis to support our troops in Iraq. Greece was one of the first countries to supply troops to Afghanistan and was among the first nations to offer assistance and support after Hurricane Katrina.
There is still a long road of reconstruction ahead for Greece but, with continued support from the U.S. Greece and its people will succeed in overcoming the hardships incurred through this tragedy.
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