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TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending January 7, 2005

House Resolution 12 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.

BRIEF

The Resolution identifies the magnitude of the earthquake and tsunamis in the Indian Ocean, recognizes the generosity of those contributing aid and affirms the US commitment to providing aid.

H. Res. 12

Whereas on December 26, 2004, a powerful earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter Scale occurred off the west coast of Northern Sumatra, Indonesia;

Whereas the undersea earthquake created massive tsunamis that struck several countries throughout South and Southeast Asia, as well as on the coast of East Africa;

Whereas the giant waves caused death and destruction on a nearly unprecedented scale, killing more than 140,000 people and leaving millions homeless;

Whereas many thousands of people were killed in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand, and numerous others were killed in Somalia, Malaysia, Maldives, Bangladesh, Kenya, Burma, and elsewhere;

Whereas an estimated one-third of the earthquake and tsunami victims were children, and many thousands more have been left orphaned or separated from their families;

Whereas thousands of visitors and tourists from nearly 40 countries were killed in this natural disaster;

Whereas between 3,000,000 and 5,000,000 people throughout the affected region are lacking basic survival requirements as a result of the tsunamis and there remains the risk of numerous additional deaths due to shortages of clean water, adequate shelter, food, sanitation, and basic healthcare;

Whereas the United States and other donors have, to date, pledged an estimated $2,000,000,000 in emergency and long-term reconstruction assistance; and

Whereas the human cost of this disaster transcends mere statistics and has resulted in deeply personal tragedies for countless families in the region and throughout the world: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) mourns the horrific loss of life caused by the earthquake and tsunamis that occurred on December 26, 2004, in South and Southeast Asia;

(2) expresses its deep condolences to the families of the many earthquake and tsunami victims;

(3) applauds the prompt humanitarian response to the tsunami tragedy by governments, the United Nations and other international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations;

(4) recognizes the generous outpouring of support for relief efforts from private citizens around the world, including in the United States;

(5) affirms its commitment to additional generous United States support for relief and long-term reconstruction efforts in areas affected by the earthquake and tsunamis; and

(6) urges continued attention by donors and relief agencies to the needs of vulnerable populations in the stricken countries, particularly the thousands of children who have been left parentless and homeless by this disaster.

Sponsor: Rep. Henry J. Hyde (R-IL-6^th)

Vote: Passed House without objection (Jan. 4, 2004)