On the recordDecember 27, 2012
I thank the chairwoman for her leadership on this essential bill. I can't thank her enough for her tenacity and determination to meet the needs of so many affected families in our State. I also thank Senator Landrieu for her leadership to help craft this bill in a way that has transparency and accountability and to learn from the mistakes of the past with Hurricane Katrina. She has worked overtime to make this bill a reality and I thank her. Of course, I thank my colleague Senator Schumer for his extraordinary leadership and Senators Menendez and Lautenberg on behalf of their State. It makes a huge difference. But I do want to start where Senator Mikulski left off and give recognition to Senator Blumenthal. During the holidays, we often reflect on our blessings. We think about what is going well in our lives. We are very thankful for what has been given to us, whether it is the health of our children, being in a safe, warm home, whether it is having a good job, whether it is having a business that is profitable--whatever those blessings are, that is what the holidays are about, being grateful for them. This holiday will be a very difficult time for so many families in New York and New Jersey and Connecticut. There were many loved ones lost during Hurricane Sandy. There were many children lost in Connecticut.…





