Paul Tonko: “Yes. It was the second stage of the canal when we moved from the mule-driven barge canal to the Erie Canal, which was…”

“Yes. It was the second stage of the canal when we moved from the mule-driven barge canal to the Erie Canal, which was engineered with locks. And again, to see the damage, tens of millions of dollars worth of damage; infrastructure here, putting the trades to work to rebuild these communities. You made an interesting observation that the impacts of natural disasters and manmade disasters never ask about political persuasion or philosophy or geography. We've been impacted from coast to coast. And with pride the other day, we in upstate New York, some colleagues in government, were talking. When the Midwest needed us, we were there. When the West Coast needed us, we were there, as you have been for other regions in the country. When the Southeast needed us, the Gulf States needed us, we were there. We're the family of America, the 50 States speaking as one. Now it's the turn for us to ask for your help. Thanks to the goodness of folks like yourself, we're going to make it happen. We're going to be able to rebuild. And I think the greatest commodity that we can bring to individuals at times like this where they're enduring, they're coping with tragedy, is to deliver hope to their doorstep.…”