U.S. CONGRESSMAN AL GREEN SUPPORTS HOUSE RESOLUTIONS EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES AFTER NATURAL DISASTERS IN THE PHILIPPINES, SAMOA, AMERICAN SAMOA AND INDONESIA
Washington, DC – October 15, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Yesterday Congressman Al Green (TX-09) delivered a statement in the House of Representatives expressing his support for three House Resolutions that convey condolences and solidarity to the people of the Philippines, Samoa, American Samoa and Indonesia, due to the natural disasters that have struck these nations in the past few weeks.
On September 26, tropical storm Ketsana made landfall on the Philippines and it caused the death of at least 277 persons, as well as the evacuation of 686,000 people. Furthermore, Ketsana destroyed 4,640 homes and caused an estimated $4.8 billion in damages.
On September 29, a powerful earthquake struck below the ocean 140 miles southwest of Pago Pago (American Samoa) and 125 miles of Samoa. Subsequently, a second earthquake occurred and then a tsunami penetrated one mile inland. The death toll from this disaster has been estimated at 135 in the Independent State of Samoa and at 32 people in American Samoa.
On September 30 a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck West Sumatra (Indonesia), causing the death of more than 700 people, as well as the displacement of thousands of residents and the destruction of 83,700 homes.
“In the wake of these recent events and on behalf of the 70,000 Asian American and Pacific Islanders living in the 9th Congressional District of Texas, including the 6,000 Filipino Americans that I represent, I extend my sincerest condolences to the families whose loved ones were lost in these tragedies,” said Congressman Green. The Congressman also praised the rescue efforts organized by international aid organizations and foreign governments, including the American forces sent by President Obama.
“During times of death and destruction when we can’t provide enough aid and comfort, we have a duty to provide as much aid and comfort as we can,” concluded Congressman Green.