Harris Supports Emergency Funding for Hurricane Victims
Harris Supports Emergency Funding for Hurricane Victims
Calls for Americans to Make Small Sacrifices
Washington, Sep 2 - (WASHINGTON, D.C.) - U.S. Representative Katherine Harris (R-FL) returned to Washington today in support of emergency supplemental funding for areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Harris also urged Floridians in the 13th district to reach out to the hurricane victims and conserve gasoline use in the weeks to come.
"The unimaginable is now a desperate reality. Serving the life-and-death needs of the communities affected is immediately critical and this funding is essential to that effort," said Congresswoman Harris. "The people of Florida more than empathize with the victims of this horrific natural disaster and we are opening our hearts and homes."
Hurricane Katrina has left hundreds of thousands of people homeless. In response to this large scale need for housing, many Floridians are acting to provide safe shelter and work opportunities for hurricane victims.
"We must also take this as an opportunity to examine and assess the nation's emergency response procedures and disaster preparedness structure. The failures of the past should never be repeated. We will rebuild homes, lives and the confidence of all Americans," Harris continued.
The nation is already beginning to feel the ripple effects of this disaster. Hurricane Katrina has severely impacted the Plantation and Colonial pipelines, which predominately serve the southeastern United States. Damage to these major gasoline arteries have contributed to dwindling supplies and soaring prices.
Congresswoman Harris encouraged fuel conservation stating, "I also call on families to take steps to reduce fuel consumption in the days to come. We encourage Floridians to make every effort to conserve energy."
Congresswoman Harris serves on the Committee on Homeland Security, and the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science, and Technology. Harris is the chair and founder of the Gulf of Mexico Congressional Caucus and created the Secretariat for the Gulf of Mexico States Accord, serving the eleven states bordering the Gulf of Mexico in United States and Mexico.
http://harris.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=33803