23377: White: House Passes Congresswoman Lee's Resolution Urging Assistance for Hurricane Devastated Caribbean Countries (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Randall White <raw@haitiaction.org>


Press Release from Congresswoman Barbara Lee
Ninth Congressional District of California
U.S. House of Representatives


PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Julie Nickson
October 4, 2004
(202) 225-2661
House Passes Congresswoman Lee's Resolution Urging Assistance for
Hurricane Devastated Caribbean Countries

Washington, DC - Last night, by voice vote, the House of
Representatives passed Congresswoman Lee's bi-partisan resolution, H.
Con. Res. 496, calling for the United States to support relief and
reconstruction efforts for Caribbean islands ravaged by recent
hurricanes.

The region was attacked by four hurricanes - Charley, Frances, Ivan
and Jeanne -- in five weeks.  The Administration has proposed a $50
million emergency supplemental appropriation   to assist the region.

  "This is a good, small - very small -  first step, but much more is
needed. Now we begin the work to ensure the substantial needs are
matched with more substantial resources."

The hardest hit countries, Grenada, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands,
Haiti, and the Bahamas are still struggling to offer relief to
residents, and reconstruction will take years.  More than 440, 000
people were displaced throughout the region.  In Grenada, the opening
of the school year is postponed until 2005.  More than 2,000 Haitians
died and hundreds remain missing as a result of the floods caused by
Tropical Storm Jeanne.  Although more than 15 islands throughout the
region were affected by the hurricanes, the entire Caribbean
community has supported the relief and reconstruction efforts for
those most in need.

Congresswoman Lee noted that, "Americans, especially Floridians and
Californians, know firsthand the suffering caused by natural
disasters, hurricanes, fires, tornadoes and earthquakes."  She
explained that, "Our third border is in great need and the United
States needs to show our support for the entire region."


###


Julie L. Nickson
Office of Congresswoman Barbara Lee
Administrative Assistant & Legislative Director
1724 Longworth House Office Building
Phone: 202-225-2661
Fax: 202-225-9817
julie.nickson@mail.house.gov