Corzine, Pallone Host Community Briefing to Discuss Trip to Tsunami-Ravaged South Asia

Long Branch, N.J. --- U.S. Sen. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) held a special community briefing and forum last Friday night in Woodbridge, New Jersey to discuss their recent trip to South Asia to see relief efforts after the devastating December tsunami killed more than 140,000 people.

"We came back with a sense of hope and optimism," Pallone told the crowd of over 100 people gathered at Royal Albert's Palace. "I was heartened to find that most of the people we spoke to were in unbelievably positive spirits. They shared with us the story of how they survived the waves, of the family members they lost. There was this feeling that this was a terrible tragedy, but you saw optimism on the faces of those who lost so much."

The members also expressed concern that New Jersey and the eastern coast of the United States, like Thailand and the Indian Ocean, currently have no early warning system in place for tsunamis. Before leaving for Asia, Pallone announced that he plans to introduce legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to create a global early warning system. At the event, Corzine pledged to introduce similar legislation in the Senate.

"Touring the beaches of Khao Lak, I was reminded of the many similarities between the Thai coast and the Jersey shore, "Pallone said. "Both are coastal, resort communities that rely heavily on their tourism industry. When I thought of the similarities, I asked myself what would happen if a tsunami hit our shoreline? Would New Jersey be any better prepared than Thailand?"

Pallone and Corzine also discussed their visit to the national tsunami response center in Sri Lanka, as well as a relief camp along the southern coast. Both lawmakers discussed the need for a long-term commitment to the rebuilding process.

"From most of what we saw, people are currently getting the help they need," Pallone said. "However, the true test of this tragedy will be long term. Rebuilding lives and homes. Restarting the economy and finding new means of employment for men and women.

"For now, the people of South Asia are moving forward," Pallone continued. "But when we return to Washington, we need to ensure that Congress does as much as possible to help them continue their work."

While in South Asia, Pallone kept notes and wrote a daily diary that can be found on his congressional website at www.house.gov/pallone.