Gregory Meeks: “I rise today to offer my condolences to the hundreds of thousands affected by the tsunami in Indonesia, Sri Lanka…”

“I rise today to offer my condolences to the hundreds of thousands affected by the tsunami in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Somalia, Malaysia, and other countries. December 26 will ever be a day etched in our memories and in our hearts as we struggle to comprehend the magnitude of loss associated with this disaster. Our great country is often viewed as a leader in the world and I know that the President will ensure that our country maintains this role by mobilizing the necessary humanitarian and economic assistance for both immediate and long-term relief, whether it be the $350 million already pledged or more as each day brings us a deeper understanding of the total impact of this disaster. We have long held prosperous relationships on economic and security issues with many of the countries that have been affected such as India and Malaysia. If we fail to adequately meet the needs of those affected by committing to advancing a strong recovery in both the Asian and African nations that have been affected, the long-term worldwide economic and political consequences of this natural disaster could be even more severe.”