One of the worst floods in her recorded history hit Bangladesh in early September 1988, claiming a great many human lives apart from causing havoc to property. It created a situation which Bangladesh was ill-equipped to handle with her own physical facilities or material resources. But she was somewhat fortunate in that at her fateful hour, the international, community extended a helping hand to Bangladesh to overcome this serious natu- ral disaster. In that rescue action no individual nation could claim more credit than the United States, undoub- tedly the richest nation in the world.
To facilitate the provision of disaster assistance to Bangladesh, a bill was introduced by the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs, Rep. Stephen J. Solarz (D-N.Y.), in the House of Representa tives on September 26, 1988. It was passed by the House,