Im going to go ahead and get this straight. Thank you, everybody. Appreciate it. We are here today to examine the department of health and Human Services Public Health preparedness for and response to the 2017 Hurricane Season. In the last two months, texas, florida, puerto rico, and the u. S. Virgin islands have been devastated by hurricanes. I first want to express our heartfelt sorrow for the millions of americans impacted by these devastating storms and say that all members of this committee on both sides of the aisle stand with those affected by the hurricanes. I would also like to thank dr. Burgess and dr. Ruiz, both members of this subcommittee, who each recently visited puerto rico to assess the impact these hurricanes have had, and continue to have, on our fellowe americans. This committee has been conducting oversight of the federal response to the recent hurricanes since shortly after harvey made landfall in texas. Unfortunately, i expect that our work here will continue for
Over one million americans are still without clean, safe Drinking Water. Rebuilding puerto rico and u. S. Virgin islands will take years. The Health Care Systems are in direcondition and most of the operational facilities need some degree of assistance. To make matters worse the electrical grid has been devastated which has significantly hampered recoveryefforts. We dont know the full extent of the damage let alone when we will have electricity and Running Water restored. We are trying to make sure we do Everything Possible to addressthe short and long term needs. Especially in the face of Thepublic Health risk that resulted and will continue to resultfrom these storms. I would like to thank the witnesses for testifying today and i look forward to hearing your testimony. I yield five minutes for Opening Statement to the Ranking Memberfrom colorado. This 2017 Hurricane Season has been one of the most damagingon record. Hurricane harvey broke the record for the greatestamount of rain rec
Recently visited puerto rico to assess the impact these hurricanes have had and continue to have on americans. This committee has been conducting oversight of the federal response to the recent hurricanes since shortly after harvey made landfall in texas. Unfortunately, i expect that our work here will continue for years to come. The committees jurisdiction involves not just Public Health issues but rebuilding the electrical grid, addressing environmental cleanup and restoring telecommunications to name only a few. The people of puerto rico and the u. S. Virgin islands continue to face a long road to recovery and many are living without power and Running Water. I believe we are going to be joined today by representative Jennifer Gonzalez from puerto rico, someone who knows all too well about the difficult challenges her home is facing. Thank you for being here at this important hearing. From coordinating overall response to insuring that individuals have the medical treatment they need
But first heres van have a williamsson on the american system. Welcome, good afternoon an thank you so much all of you for being here today. And im really my name is e. J. A fellow senior here atbookings and im really happy to be here for two basic reasons. One, this is a great book. And two, vanessa is an awesome person. And im just so happy that vanessa what about a year ago joined us here at the brookings institution, and then prompghtly produced this great book. You know, been here for a short time and through the short intro of vanessa but something that says a lot about her which is vanessa has coauthored the first, the first one is called the tea party an and the renation of conservatism and vanessa shows this book is a strong conviction. But in her Tea Party Book and her convictions are quite different from those of tearkt tea Party Activist she shows capacity of understanding of poonl she profoundly disagrees with and we need that gift of empathy at this moment in our politics
[inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] taking a break in this conference titled breaking through power, organized by former independent president ial candidate ralph nader. It will be back about 1 20 p. M. Eastern time. We will bring you back your life right here as he sent to. A look outside the david mack complex at Hofstra University, cited tonights president ial debate. Three imams will pay most of the five milliondollar price tag for this debate. One of those alum is david mack who is a businessman and in real estate. This is the fur third time Hofstra University has hosted a president ial debate. The First University to hosted debates in three consecutive president ial races. Some of the media here getting set up along with their transmission trucks and vehicles.