Subcommittee Hearing: The U.S. Post-Typhoon Response in the Philippines: Health and Human Rights Issues

Webcast

Opening Statements

Rep. Christopher H. Smith, Chairman [full text of opening statement] Chairman Smith on the hearing: "We will report on our visit to Tacloban City–the epicenter of destruction by typhoon Haiyan–which to me resembled photos taken after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, and hear from representatives of governmental and faith-based organizations involved in the emergency relief efforts. We will take note of the great efforts of our own military and USAID in acting as first responders and in delivering aid to the victims of the disaster.  We will also salute the faith-filled resiliency of the Filipino people, with whom Americans share a unique bond of closeness that was cemented in the dark days of World War II, when American and Filipino soldiers fought and died together in the cause of liberty."