Tina Smith: “I rise to express sympathy to all those impacted by the disaster of Hurricane Katrina. Each of us, in our own way…”

“I rise to express sympathy to all those impacted by the disaster of Hurricane Katrina. Each of us, in our own way, reaches out to Senator Vitter and Senator Landrieu, Senator Lott, Senator Cochran, Senator Sessions and Senator Shelby, whose States have been ravaged by a natural disaster, frankly, beyond calculation and beyond the plans and the very best intentions of those on the ground. It is a fact that sometimes nature is bigger than we are. Katrina is evidence of one of those occasions. It has been disappointing that there has been a rush to play politics with a natural disaster. There has been an excess of finger-pointing and faultfinding. I note that President Bush yesterday bravely said that if you need to blame someone, blame him. I don't believe the blame belongs with him, but he recognizes his role in leadership. I salute him for his courage in simply trying to find the solutions and not spending wasted effort pointing fingers and placing blame. I represent a State that has known its share of natural disasters-- volcanos, wildfires, and a tsunami several decades ago. While Oregon is a long way from the Gulf Coast, we have been near in the relief effort and helping in recovery. I rise today to let the Senate know how proud I am of the response from my home State of Oregon. Oregonians have big hearts. With their trademark of selflessness and generosity, they have responded in a wide number of ways to help our friends in the South.…”