Steve Pearce: “we have seen unprecedented suffering in this Nation in the last weeks. No one in this country has been able to…”

“we have seen unprecedented suffering in this Nation in the last weeks. No one in this country has been able to comprehend the size and scope of the destruction. To put it into perspective, one of my colleagues pointed out that the size of the area affected is the size of Wyoming. Another pointed out that the size of the area affected was equal to the nation of Great Britain. So as we talk about our failures and our successes, I think it is important that we really discuss Katrina in an overall view. I know that from my perspective there are going to be three major challenges. We have to deal with the human suffering that is felt by every one of the families who have lost loved ones but also by those people who are displaced. So the human suffering in terms of jobs lost and regaining jobs of any sort, regaining an income in order to pay for current expenses, some way to access the safety nets that this Nation is providing, that is one challenge of the problem. The second challenge is rebuilding the entire gulf coast region, and that is going to be a long and arduous task and one that is going to require the dedication and commitment of the entire Nation. But the third thing that I think we must be aware of as leaders and as the House of Representatives is the effect on our economy. So tonight I am joined by the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Davis).…”