FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 25, 2004

Contact: Ben Allen (202) 225-4363

In the Wake of Catastrophic Flooding, Serrano and Crowley Call Upon President to Help Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti 

Washington, DC, May 25, 2004—Deeply concerned by the tremendous suffering caused by recent flooding in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti, Congressmen José E. Serrano (D-NY) and Joseph Crowley (D-NY) sent a letter to President Bush asking him for “an immediate response to help alleviate the suffering in all of these locations.”

 

            According to the latest reports, more than 250 people have already been killed in the
Caribbean
, as floods have destroyed entire villages after Monday’s heavy rains.  The floods appear to be the islands’ deadliest in recent history. 

 

            “We are terribly saddened by the tragic loss of life and remain deeply concerned that many more people will die if we don’t get help to the islands quickly,” said Congressman Serrano.  “Our government needs to act fast to save lives.”

 

 

            “The people of the , , and
Puerto Rico
continue to suffer from the torrential rains that have taken the lives of hundreds over the past few days,” said Congressman Crowley.  “While I applaud the efforts of the U.S. Marines stationed in , more emergency personnel and aid is needed to assist our friends.  Our nation must do everything in its power to help the afflicted people of the
Caribbean
as they face the deadliest floods since the 1994 Tropical Storm Gordon.”

 

 

            In the case of
Puerto Rico
, the letter urged the President “to ask the Federal Emergency Management Agency to act quickly to bring the support of its personnel and expertise to
Puerto Rico
to help resolve the many programs that have resulted from this flooding.”  With respect to the and , the Congressmen asked “that emergency relief be quickly provided.”  The letter went on to state that “this is a time of desperate need and we would like to urge you to make our nation’s response both quick and generous… We stand ready to assist you in any way possible.”

 

 

The text of the letter follows:

 

           

 

 

May 25, 2004

 

 

 

The Honorable George W. Bush

 

President of the

 

The White House

 

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

 

Washington, D.C.
  20500

 

 

Dear Mr. President:

 

 

            We are deeply saddened by the recent flooding in
Puerto Rico
, the , and .  This flooding has created crisis situations, and we would like to request an immediate response to help alleviate the suffering in all of these locations.

 

 

            Flooding has been severe in
Puerto Rico
and has already resulted in the deaths of at least four people.  We would like to urge you to ask the Federal Emergency Management Agency to act quickly to bring the support of its personnel and expertise to
Puerto Rico
to help resolve the many problems that have resulted from this flooding.  Please let us know how we can best help you to address this devastation.

 

 

            With respect to the , we would like to ask that emergency relief be quickly provided.  Not only have many died, but we have heard that about 450 homes were flooded and that at least 14 small towns lost power and had downed phone lines.  Many victims are being housed in shelters.  In , over 100 have died and there is immense suffering and loss. This is a time of desperate need and we would like to urge you to make our nation’s response both quick and generous.  Again, we stand ready to assist you in any way possible.

 

           

 

            With thanks and appreciation for your quick response, we are

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

                                                                      

 

                                                                      

 

 

                        José
E. Serrano
                                                          Joseph Crowley

                        Member of Congress                                                  Member of Congress