Jim Baird: “I rise today to extend my personal condolences, that of my family and all of the constituents I am privileged to…”

“I rise today to extend my personal condolences, that of my family and all of the constituents I am privileged to represent, to the families and victims of this terrible natural disaster. I almost did not come down here today because I am painfully aware that nothing we can say here is going to make the kind of difference that we would like to make. The $10.5 billion will make some difference, but it is very small in comparison to the magnitude of the suffering. What I think myself and all of my colleagues would rather to be doing is being down there in New Orleans helping with the effort. We would like to be giving water to those thirsty, comfort to those who have lost loved ones, and help begin the rebuilding progress with our own hands. We are not able to be there because we are not needed as much as the rescue personnel. While we would like to be there, we have constituents calling and asking tough questions, and I think it is incumbent upon us to respond to some of those tough questions. Constituents are asking: Why was the preparation not better? Why is it taking so long to rescue people and provide basic food and shelter and clothing? Why are oil companies who are already enjoying record profits being able to take what seems to be exorbitant profit from even this catastrophe?…”