While this tragedy struck halfway around the world from Maine, its effects are being felt here and across the globe. The loss of life struck home with Mainers searching for news of family members living in or visiting South AsiaWhile some Mainers have learned that their family members and friends survived, some have been faced with dreadful news. Tragically, a 35-year-old native of Rockland, Maine—Kelly Ann Hillgrove—fell victim to the tsunami while in Sri Lanka with her fiancé. The tsunami struck while the two ate breakfast at their resort. And although her fiancé, Nasser Zouaoui, survived, Kelly was swept away and later found holding a young child. Sadly, neither Kelly nor the unidentified child survived. Unfortunately there are thousands of heartbreaking stories like this one. The latest reports estimate that more than 150,000 lives have been claimed.
I am also extremely concerned about the thousands of young children who have been left orphaned and homeless. I am alarmed by press reports that children, either orphaned or separated from their parents by the tsunami, could be falling prey to human traffickers. These children are already vulnerable to disease, hunger, and the long-term effects of psychological trauma. That these children may also be readily available to human traffickers is horrific. I have called upon the State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons to use all resources necessary to investigate these troubling reports and to organize an international response to stop any such exploitation.
It is clear that assisting the victims of the earthquake and the tsunami has become a global issue; people throughout the world are doing everything they can to help. I have been inspired by the compassion exhibited by people throughout the world and Maine who have worked to aid those who have lost everything in the wake of this natural disaster. Immediately following news of the disaster, Mainers began seeking ways to help: groups held fundraisers, individuals contributed to disaster relief funds, churches and synagogues collected donations, and doctors volunteered to travel to the devastated areasAnd each day more people are joining in these efforts.
The generosity of the American people has allowed U.S. relief agencies to raise more than $350 million in donations. Congress already approved a resolution that will allow people to receive income tax benefits for 2004 for charitable cash contributions directed toward the relief of tsunami victims. It is my hope that this will make it easier for Americans who have the means and desire to give private donations.
It is important that the U.S. Government also do everything it can to assist the millions of individuals and the many nations that are suffering. So far, President Bush has pledged $350 million in U.S. aid. This is in addition to the tens of millions of dollars it takes to dispatch U.S. military aircraft, naval vessels, and personnel. Further, the U.S. Agency for International Development's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance has sent disaster relief teams to the region to assess further needs for sanitation, health, and other relief supplies. I am proud that Mainers from the Brunswick Naval Air Station are playing a role in these relief efforts. Just three days after the devastating tsunami hit, five P-3s were deployed from Brunswick to aid in disaster recovery and relief efforts.
Initial findings indicate that the need for assistance in the area will increase in the coming weeks and months. I support the long-term commitment of the United States to provide assistance to the people and countries that have been affected. In fact, Congress just passed a resolution reaffirming that the United States will continue to assess, anticipate, and provide further assistance as needed.
If you would like to learn more about helping tsunami victims, you can visit www.usafreedomcorps.gov or www.usaid.gov. Both of these government websites list a number of non-profit organizations offering assistance to people affected by the earthquake and tsunamis.
I am heartened that people throughout the world are selflessly giving of themselves to aid and support the tsunami victims. And it is my hope that this generosity will truly make a difference in the lives of the victims as they begin the long, hard road to recovery.
###