IV 108th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 526 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 11, 2004 Mr. Ney (for himself, Mr. Lantos, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Snyder, Mr. Bereuter, Mr. Berman, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Delahunt, Mr. Gutknecht, Mrs. Jones of Ohio, Mr. Wexler, Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Burton of Indiana, Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Honda, Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite of Florida, and Mr. Udall of Colorado) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations RESOLUTION Expressing the sympathy of the House of Representatives for the victims of the devastating earthquake that occurred on December 26, 2003, in Bam, Iran.

Whereas approximately 40,000 men, women, and children, including a United States citizen, perished in an earthquake that occurred on December 26, 2003, in Bam, Iran; Whereas the people of the United States immediately expressed their sincerest sympathy by sending aid to the victims of the earthquake in Iran; Whereas 90 percent of the 2,000 year-old city of Bam was destroyed; Whereas the magnificent buildings in Bam belonged not only to the people of Iran, but to our common world heritage; Whereas President George W. Bush lifted sanctions on Iran temporarily in order to enable United States relief organizations to swiftly send aid to Bam; Whereas United States aid channeled through United States-based relief organizations and charities has been warmly welcomed by the people of Iran; Whereas United States aid workers have been received with generosity and great appreciation in Iran; Whereas the United States generosity has confirmed that the United States holds no ill will toward the people of Iran; and Whereas the spirit and compassionate conduct of the United States has won it tremendous goodwill among the people of Iran: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)expresses its heartfelt sympathy for the victims of the earthquake that occurred on December 26, 2003, in Bam, Iran, and their loved ones; (2)expresses its heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the courageous work of the United States and international aid personnel saving lives in Iran; and (3)welcomes the President’s decision to issue a general license for donations to nongovernmental entities engaged in humanitarian relief activities in response to the earthquake in Iran.