Paul S. Sarbanes: “I rise in support of S. 3759, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1994. In a few devastating moments in the…”

“I rise in support of S. 3759, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1994. In a few devastating moments in the early morning on January 17, 1994, 34,400 residential buildings were damaged or destroyed in the Los Angeles earthquake. Ninety-eight thousand people were forced out of their homes. Over 38 miles of roadway were closed, including the Santa Monica Freeway, the most heavily traveled highway in the country. The supplemental appropriations bill before us today will help the people of southern California begin the process of healing and rebuilding--a process that will take some time. I would like to begin by commending my colleagues from California-- Senators Feinstein and Boxer--who ensured that all of us had an understanding of the magnitude of the losses in California and of the corresponding need for Federal assistance. Senators Feinstein and Boxer have been tireless in moving this legislative relief package through the Senate. As chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Housing and Urban Affairs, I would particularly like to support the HUD and mass transit funding components of this bill and to praise the critical roles played by Transportation Secretary Federico Pena and HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros.”