The Congress reconvened on Jan. 4 for the 109th Session, expressing solidarity with tsunami-hit countries as a group of Representatives and Senators headed out to the region where Secretary of State Colin Powell was already making the rounds assessing critical areas of need.

House International Relations Committee Chair Henry Hyde (R-IL), along with ranking Democrat Tom Lantos of California, introduced a resolution (H. Res. 12) which was passed in Congress expressing sympathy for victims of the devastating tsunami. Rep. Jim Leach (R-IA), heading a delegation to the region, joined them, as did the Indonesian Caucus Co-Chairman Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN). “Expressing condolences and support for assistance to the victims of the earthquake and tsunamis that occurred on December 26, 2004, in South and Southeast Asia,” H. Res. 12 precedes the Congress’ objective to pass the $350 million package so far announced by President George Bush.

Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), re-elected to his post, expressed “deepest condolences” for victims of the disaster promising that “we in the Congress will work together on bipartisan basis to get the relief to those who need it.” He mentioned India as the largest democracy and the U.S. as the oldest one, during his speech on the House Floor.

Many Democrats and Republicans expressed their support and solidarity for the tsunami victims. Among them was Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), outgoing co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans. Noting all the efforts so far made by the Bush administration and private donors, Rep. Wilson said he had two additional suggestions for donations specifically to India, viz. the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund which is the Embassy of India in Washington, and the Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund, American Chamber of Commerce in India –– for both of which he put the addresses on record. “Both of these organizations will work to help in the recovery and restoration for people who have been affected by the tsunami,” Rep. Wilson emphasized.

Since citizens of over 40 nations have been affected by the tsunami, Rep. Wilson said this was “truly a global event,” adding, “As a member of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, I am pleased that President Bush visited the Indian Embassy here in Washington yesterday [Jan. 3] to pledge that we would help the Indian government and the Indian people in any way we can.”

He noted how despite its own losses, “India has responded selflessly to this tragedy. India is now part of a disaster relief coalition with Japan, Australia, and the U.S. Yesterday, India began deploying Israeli-made unmanned aerial vehicles in round-the-clock searches for victims of the tsunami. By providing significant financial and military assistance to neighboring tsunami-affected countries, India is already playing a vital role in this coalition.”

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), who took over as the Republican co-chair of the India Caucus from Rep. Wilson, also expressed her support to the people of India.