[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 325 Introduced in House (IH)]

103d CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. J. RES. 325

Designating the week beginning April 3, 1994, as ``National Earthquake 
                           Awareness Week''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 11, 1994

 Mr. Dixon (for himself, Mr. Berman, Mr. Brown of California, Mr. Farr 
 of California, Mr. Fazio, Mr. Gallegly, Mr. Lewis of California, Mr. 
 McKeon, Mr. Moorhead, Ms. Schenk, Mr. Waxman, Mr. McDade, Mr. Hoyer, 
 Mr. Towns, Mr. Kasich, Mr. Weldon, Mr. Clyburn, Mr. Abercrombie, and 
    Ms. Furse) introduced the following joint resolution; which was 
       referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
Designating the week beginning April 3, 1994, as ``National Earthquake 
                           Awareness Week''.

Whereas the threat of earthquakes is a national problem;
Whereas earthquakes occur in the eastern and midwestern, as well as western, 
        regions of the Nation, and resulted in over 100 deaths and caused over 
        $36.4 billion in property damage in the United States from 1980 to 1994;
Whereas several earthquakes occurred in Maryland in 1993, and some researchers 
        believe that there is a 95 percent probability that an earthquake 
        registering 6 or greater on the Richter scale will occur in the eastern 
        \2/3\ of the United States before the year 2000 and a nearly 100 percent 
        probability that such an earthquake will occur by the year 2010;
Whereas earthquakes have occurred in Alaska, Illinois, Missouri, Montana, 
        Pennsylvania, Oregon, South Carolina, and Utah, registering from 2.5 to 
        6.0 on the Richter scale and disrupting lives;
Whereas earthquake activity in California is increasing, as evidenced by 
        scientific data, and damaging earthquakes occur in California an average 
        of every 2 years;
Whereas the Los Angeles-Northridge earthquake of 1994 killed 57 people, injured 
        more than 6,547, displaced over 14,900 individuals, caused 10,960 homes 
        and apartments to be classified as uninhabitable, caused an estimated 
        $30 billion in damage, and was the costliest disaster in California 
        history;
Whereas the Loma Prieta, California, earthquake of 1989 killed 63 people, 
        injured 3,757 people, and caused damage costing $6 billion;
Whereas, in the 1980's, the world had an annual average of 10 earthquakes 
        measuring 7 or higher on the Richter scale;
Whereas a new era in the recognition of natural disasters and humankind's 
        ability to reduce the destructive effects of such disasters has begun;
Whereas the United Nations General Assembly, in Resolution 42/169 (1987), has 
        declared the decade beginning in 1990 to be the International Decade for 
        Natural Disaster Reduction;
Whereas the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly was designed to 
        promote a cooperative international program to apply existing technology 
        and advance existing knowledge in order to reduce the effects of natural 
        disasters;
Whereas education and general awareness are the core of any disaster mitigation 
        program and are necessary to reduce the damaging impact that earthquakes 
        may have on individuals and families;
Whereas earthquake preparedness can substantially reduce the incidence of death, 
        injury, and property damage resulting from a major earthquake, if 
        actions to prepare for earthquakes are immediately taken; and
Whereas studies show that the Nation is increasingly aware of the threat of a 
        major earthquake, yet few Americans are acting to prepare homes, 
        businesses, and schools for a major earthquake: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the week beginning April 
3, 1994, is designated as ``National Earthquake Awareness Week'', and 
the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation 
calling on public officials and the people of the United States to 
observe the week with appropriate programs and activities.

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