Pallone Scheduled to Visit Three Tsunami-Ravaged Nations in South Asia

Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) announced today that he plans to join a congressional delegation trip with U.S. Senator Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and U.S. Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ) to three of the nations affected by last month's tragic tsunami. The New Jersey congressman is scheduled to leave Saturday, January 8 and will return the following Thursday, January 13. Pallone will post a travel diary, called a "blog," on his congressional website (www.house.gov/pallone <https://www.house.gov/pallone>) that will be updated daily during the visit.

"The devastation in South Asia is so great that it's truly difficult to comprehend the scope of the damage and identify the greatest needs of the region in order to expedite relief efforts," Pallone said. "This fact finding mission will allow me and my colleagues to see how the U.S. can best help the victims of this tragedy.

"I want to hear directly from the people on the ground the pitfalls they currently face and how they can be overcome as soon as possible," Pallone continued. "I also want be able to relay a daily account of my travel through the region so that my constituents can have a firsthand account of the situation in these countries."

Last week, Pallone, co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Sri Lanka and the founder of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, announced plans to introduce legislation to provide humanitarian aid and relief to the victims of the tsunami in South Asia. The New Jersey congressman wants to work with his colleagues in the House to provide not only humanitarian assistance to the victims, but also the funding for an advanced early warning system for the Indian Ocean so this tragedy is never repeated.

"Last month, the world learned the devastation tsunamis leave in their path," Pallone said. "Unfortunately, this tragedy would not have been so severe had the proper warning equipment been in place in the Indian Ocean to alert the surrounding nations of the danger. I want to see what the region needs from the United States to make an early warning system a reality as soon as possible."

Pallone and the delegation will visit three of the countries hardest hit by the December 26th tsunami. The New Jersey congressman will begin his mission in Thailand with meetings and tours on Sunday and Monday. Then, Pallone will spend Tuesday and Wednesday in Sri Lanka and Thursday in India.