[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 405 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 405

 Recognizing the recent natural disaster in Venezuela, commending the 
 people and Government of Venezuela for its disaster recovery efforts, 
   and calling on the United States Government and the international 
    community to consider providing additional disaster assistance.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 27, 2000

   Mr. Gallegly (for himself, Mr. Ballenger, Mr. Brady of Texas, Mr. 
Souder, Mr. Davis of Florida, Mr. Gillmor, and Mr. Gejdenson) submitted 
   the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                        International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the recent natural disaster in Venezuela, commending the 
 people and Government of Venezuela for its disaster recovery efforts, 
   and calling on the United States Government and the international 
    community to consider providing additional disaster assistance.

Whereas on December 16, 1999, the Government of Venezuela declared a state of 
        emergency for 7 states after 2 weeks of unrelenting rain led to flash 
        flooding in northern Venezuela;
Whereas the December floods, determined to be the worse natural disaster to hit 
        Venezuela in the century, left an estimated 30,000 dead and an estimated 
        500,000 persons affected or displaced;
Whereas the disaster resulted in the damage to or the destruction of many roads, 
        bridges, and other elements of Venezuela's infrastructure and the damage 
        or destruction of over 100,000 homes and businesses;
Whereas the flooding has affected over 35,000 hectares of farmland and destroyed 
        an estimated 60 percent of the agriculture harvest for this year;
Whereas the flooding left thousands of Venezuelans homeless and without 
        essential food, water, shelter, and medical supplies;
Whereas on December 16, 1999, the United States Ambassador to Venezuela declared 
        a disaster for flooding, thus releasing immediate financial and material 
        assistance from the United States;
Whereas the United States Agency for International Development, the Office of 
        Foreign Disaster Assistance, and the Department of Defense have actively 
        provided support to the Government of Venezuela in the search, rescue, 
        and recovery efforts thus far;
Whereas the United States Government has provided approximately $3.75 million in 
        emergency disaster assistance and an additional $20 million in 
        Department of Defense assistance;
Whereas the international community, as reported by the United Nations Office 
        for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, has contributed 
        approximately $10 million for emergency relief;
Whereas the United States should continue to play a leading role in responding 
        to international disasters and to encourage others to contribute to the 
        recovery effort; and
Whereas Venezuela is an important neighbor, friend, and ally in the Hemisphere 
        and is in need of help: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the significant death and destruction in 
        parts of northern Venezuela as a result of the devastating 
        floods of December 1999 and expresses its deepest sympathy to 
        the people of Venezuela who have suffered as a result of these 
        floods;
            (2) commends the Government of Venezuela for its determined 
        and quick response to the disaster and its rescue and relief 
        efforts as well as the people of Venezuela for coming together 
        in this time of national emergency and need to help in the 
        rescue and relief efforts of their fellow citizens;
            (3) commends the United States Ambassador to Venezuela, the 
        Agency for International Development, the Office of Foreign 
        Disaster Assistance, and the Department of Defense for their 
        swift reaction to the disaster and the timely assistance thus 
        far provided to the people and Government of Venezuela for 
        rescue and relief operations; and
            (4) pledges the continued support of the United States and 
        urges the administration to seek additional emergency relief 
        funds, if appropriate, to continue to assist the people of 
        Venezuela to recover from this disaster and urges the 
        Administrator of the Agency for International Development to 
        encourage other international donors to continue to contribute 
        to the relief efforts in Venezuela.
                                 <all>