Esteban Torres: “I rise today in support of the bill H.R. 3759 which provides emergency supplemental appropriations for disaster…”

“I rise today in support of the bill H.R. 3759 which provides emergency supplemental appropriations for disaster assistance for the victims of the recent Los Angeles earthquake, and I rise in support of the Fazio amendment. As a Californian who has lived through and endured the earthquakes that have rocked my beautiful State, I cannot fully express how important disaster assistance truly is. Our Nation has truly been tested in the last several years--from torrential floods in the Midwest, devastating hurricanes that have hit the east coast, Hawaii, and our Territories, to the fire storms that have raged through both northern and southern California. All of these disasters required emergency assistance and the quick response of FEMA. Our response to the Los Angeles earthquake should not be treated any differently from these other disasters. Our response should be quick and it should be compassionate for all of those affected. We should not, we cannot, do any less for the people of Los Angeles County.”