November 4, 1998

The Honorable Connie Mack
Room 517 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC  20510

Re:     Relief Effort in Central America

Dear Senator Mack:
I am writing to urge your full and total support for the relief effort in
Central America as the region tries to recover from Hurricane Mitch.  The
devastation to the area, particularly to Honduras and Nicaragua, is beyond
belief.  Based on current estimates, there are 13,000 dead.  The number is
sure to grow as there are more than 20,000 missing.  In Honduras, 1.4
million people - 20% of the entire country-have been left homeless by this
monster storm.  Another half-million people in Nicaragua are homeless.  The
area is currently in dire need of food, potable water, clothing and shelter.
There is also desperate need for assistance in transporting these goods
across the rugged terrain.  I am aware that our military presence is already
helping with this through use of helicopters and planes.  I urge you to push
for continued and increased support in this effort.
Additionally, much of the infrastructure in both countries has been washed
out by the flooding.  In Honduras alone, there are literally hundreds of
bridges gone.  Their government will desperately need assistance (financial,
engineering, manpower, materials) to rebuild these vital structures.
Imagine trying to travel around central Florida if every single bridge was
washed out.  Now multiply that picture into an area the size of Honduras and
Nicaragua.  Then factor in a very mountainous, rugged terrain that virtually
precludes off-road travel.  This is the problem facing these good people,
both in the immediate rescue efforts and for the long term as the country
tries to rebuild.
I have had the pleasure of visiting Honduras on many occasions.  I
frequently travel to their Bay Islands on scuba diving adventures, and have
toured the mainland on a few of those visits.  The people of that beautiful
country are good, hardworking, honest people.  They have always made me feel
welcome, as if I had known them forever (this despite the fact that my wife
and I are obviously "gringos").  These kind people did nothing to deserve
the havoc that Mitch brought to their lives.  But they are strong, and they
shall overcome.  Our country is well equipped to help them in their time of
need.  If we do not do so, we should hang our heads in shame.  
You have shown through the years that you are a good and caring man.  I beg
you to pledge your support to those who so desperately need it.  In another
week or so, this will be "old news," and it will disappear from the
newspapers and the nightly news.  Please don't let it disappear from your
thoughts.

Sincerely,

Gregg A. Lynch