[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 240 Referred in Senate (RFS)]


109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 240


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                          September, 15, 2005

        Received and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
    Supporting the goals and ideals of a national day of prayer and 
 remembrance for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and encouraging all 
                     Americans to observe that day.

Whereas on August 25, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the southeast tip 
        of Florida as a Category 1 hurricane;
Whereas Hurricane Katrina moved into the Gulf of Mexico, rapidly intensifying to 
        a Category 5 hurricane and, on August 29, 2005, made landfall on the 
        Gulf coast as a Category 4 hurricane with 140 mile-per-hour winds,

devastating communities and towns in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana;
Whereas the levees protecting the city of New Orleans, Louisiana from Lake 
        Pontchartrain failed, causing heavy flooding in the city and inflicting 
        incredible human and material damage;
Whereas Hurricane Katrina caused the evacuation of the city of New Orleans, 
        marking the first time a major American city has been completely 
        evacuated;
Whereas the number of individuals killed by Hurricane Katrina is estimated to be 
        in the hundreds;
Whereas the damage to human life and the fabric of families torn apart by 
        Hurricane Katrina is inestimable;
Whereas Hurricane Katrina has inflicted enormous damage to homes and businesses 
        along the Gulf Coast, with damage estimates in the hundreds of billions 
        of dollars;
Whereas Hurricane Katrina left an estimated five million people without power, 
        and it may be months before all power is restored;
Whereas the States of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida have received 
        federal disaster declarations;
Whereas Hurricane Katrina ranks among the worst natural disasters in our 
        Nation's history;
Whereas years of intense effort will be required to recover from the devastation 
        caused by Hurricane Katrina and to rebuild the Gulf Coast;
Whereas the American people have an inherent spirit of willpower and strong 
        resilience;
Whereas the American people have opened their hearts and their homes to the 
        victims of Hurricane Katrina, sheltering its victims, providing food and 
        medical assistance, and donating hundreds of millions of dollars to the 
        relief effort;
Whereas Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco declared August 31, 2005, to be a day 
        of prayer in the State of Louisiana, and asked that all Louisianans take 
        time that day to pray for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and their 
        rescuers; and
Whereas President George W. Bush has proclaimed September 16, 2005, to be a 
        National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of Hurricane 
        Katrina: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress supports the goals and ideals of a national day of prayer 
and remembrance for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and encourages all 
Americans to observe that day.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 14, 2005.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.

                            

        By Gerasimos C. Vans,

                                                          Deputy Clerk.