Max Baucus: “I rise to share a few remarks involving the overwhelming disaster that has hit Southeast Asia. I hope the distinguished…”

“I rise to share a few remarks involving the overwhelming disaster that has hit Southeast Asia. I hope the distinguished deputy leader would heed my remarks because I very much hope we can get this legislation passed this year--not only this year, but passed today--which gives a charitable tax deduction, cash deduction to Americans on their tax returns for 2004 who give a charitable contribution to the tsunami disaster. Clearly that has to be done immediately. Otherwise it will not have any real effect. It affects taxpayers who wish to give today but take the deduction on their 2004 tax returns, or 2005. This gives an opportunity to take the deduction on the 2004 returns. It is almost impossible to talk about the tsunami disaster. Words do not begin to describe the extent of the disaster. We all feel it when we watch television and see the photographs in the newspapers. We hear reports from those who have been there; Secretary Powell, for example. It is so overwhelming. It is so large scale. One hundred fifty thousand people perished. Just imagine. September 11 was a disaster almost beyond belief, and that was 3,000 deaths. We are talking now about 150,000 people who just had no defense. Families were destroyed. In many cases there is very little hope because so many relatives are gone. Roads are gone. Houses are gone. Up to 2 million people who are displaced are homeless. It is staggering. Some suggest this might be the worst disaster in modern history.”