Howard Berman: “I thank you and I thank the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations for bringing a bill which has a massive impact…”

“I thank you and I thank the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations for bringing a bill which has a massive impact on my district and is the basis on which we who represent the most impacted congressional districts can turn this terrible disaster around. I thank you so much. I thank everyone in this House who is contemplating supporting this bill for helping us at a time of need. You know, I listened to the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Durbin] and others during the floods and the earlier disaster, and I empathized with what they were going through. I had no idea, I had no idea of the kind of devastation these things can cause to the people, to the homes, and to the businesses of a community. But in 2 short weeks since this event happened, I have seen it in so many parts of my district impacting so many people who were struggling at the margins in any event, and I thank all of you, and I have a great feeling of appreciation for the incredible voluntary movements that exist in the Red Cross and Salvation Army and the massive help that FEMA has been.”