Byron Dorgan: “I mentioned yesterday a call from a man named Mark whose family has been separated, children living with the…”

“I mentioned yesterday a call from a man named Mark whose family has been separated, children living with the grandparents, his home damaged by the flood. His wife is in the hospital with a terminal illness, telling us that his wife has only a couple months to live perhaps, asking us to make the decisions that allow them to get on with their lives. Here is another little drawing from a schoolchild who sent it to me. It probably says it is as well as any can. It is two different scenes. One is a scene of flooding and devastation and trees down; and it says, ``If you do nothing.'' And the other side is a page with a scene with a park bench and grass and trees and sun and flowers; and underneath it says, ``If you do something.'' These are people who have voiced to say to us today, through my reading their letters, that they really need help. That is what this disaster legislation is about, reaching out and helping those who, through no fault of their own, have had to bear the burden of a natural disaster of enormous proportions.”