::
Point of View ::
Like many Americans, I am deeply saddened by the devastation and
destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina and the tremendous suffering
it has caused the people of the Gulf Coast region. My thoughts and
prayers are with the families and individuals who have lost nearly
everything in the midst of such a horrific event. Few of us can
comprehend the magnitude of this disaster. Few of us can comprehend
the magnitude of a disaster whose geographic devastation covers an
area the size of the United Kingdom.
As the waters recede, the smoke clears and the areas affected by
Hurricane Katrina’s wrath are secured, we need to ask questions and
seek answers that will produce better results when our nation is
faced with future disasters. By examining the chain of command and
determining who is best equipped to handle the logistics involved
with a disaster, we can make our country safer. We need to cut
through the red tape to find out why so many Americans hit by
Hurricane Katrina lost their lives so we can prevent something
similar from happening again.
Two years ago, in the wake of Hurricane Isabel we learned of
significant shortcomings in our federal response system that delayed
assistance to victims and hampered distribution of emergency
supplies. Because these shortcomings had such a detrimental impact
on the recovery of Virginia a clear need to evaluate federal
emergency disaster response surfaced.
In an effort to investigate FEMA’s apparent weaknesses, the House
Committee on Government Reform, at my request, held a field hearing
in the City of Chesapeake on October 10, 2003. During this hearing,
I had the opportunity to voice the frustration many people in the
Fourth District had felt in regard to FEMA’s disaster assistance.
The hearing also allowed me to question officials about plans to
improve state and federal response so that the errors which were so
abundant after Isabel could be avoided when faced with a disaster of
a similar or greater scale.
Having now witnessed the wrath of Katrina and subsequent failures in
emergency relief, it is obvious that FEMA’s initial response efforts
have, again, been largely inadequate. One of the more glaring
factors behind this is an apparent gap in leadership and
communication which exists among federal, state, and local emergency
organizations. Tactical and logistical organization is key to
effective execution of emergency action. The organization and
tactical expertise of our nation’s Armed Services should serve as a
model of excellence in this regard.
In times of crisis, FEMA and local organizations need to mobilize
personnel and materials with military precision and efficiency. It
frustrates us all to see the governor of a state and the local mayor
fighting with each other during an emergency situation as we saw in
Louisiana; or when the decisions they make seem to fly in the face
of common sense. It is equally appalling to see the Director of FEMA
fail to display the leadership we were all expecting.
As we question the ability of our existing emergency response
system, we need to be realistic about the expertise needed to
accomplish the daunting tasks inherent to recovery from a disaster.
We must overcome and remedy the mistakes that have been made and
ensure that an appropriate and capable system of emergency
management arises in its place.
In emergencies of this magnitude, the best trained and best prepared
leaders we have to coordinate the response needed are our military
leaders. Fort Lee, which is located in the 4th Congressional
District, is the embodiment of superiority in logistical
coordination and organizational operations. FEMA and local emergency
organizations could gain a great deal from Fort Lee’s proven
proficiency and may benefit profoundly from their leadership and
direction when handling a crisis. We must improve our existing
command and control structure and should look to installations like
Fort Lee for guidance.
Immediately after Hurricane Katrina passed, I participated in a
conference call with national leaders to discuss the Congressional
actions necessary in salvaging, healing, and rebuilding the lives
and land that were ravaged in Katrina’s path. Although there is
still much that Congress will need to do in the days and weeks
ahead, to date Congress has passed legislation that will provide a
$50 billion long-term relief package in addition to $10.5 billion in
emergency relief funding. Congress has also made additional
resources and relief available to students affected by the
destruction, broadened TANF assistance, and established a committee
to investigate the response effort.
I am committed to reforming and restructuring our emergency response
system so that we may never again be forced to experience the
magnitude of loss and suffering we have seen as a result of Katrina.
Although the full scope of Katrina’s destruction has yet to be seen,
you can be sure that I will monitor this situation with great
personal interest and will do all that I can to see to it that the
people impacted by this tragic event find the resources they need to
recover, rebuild, and reestablish their lives.
::
What I
did on my summer vacation…
::
Planning a trip to Washington, DC
this fall? My staff is here to help. Please contact Michael Curcio
in our Washington, DC office to set up a staff-led tour of the
Capitol for 15 or less people, to obtain a "Guide to DC" package, or
to learn about how to book a group White House Tour. Call
202-225-6365.
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SPOTLIGHT ....
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As of September 1, 2005:
Order Your Free Credit Report
A recent amendment to the
federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of
the nationwide consumer reporting companies to provide you
with a free copy of your credit report, at your request,
once every 12 months, from
www.annualcreditreport.com. |
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