[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 74 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 74

    Expressing the sense of Congress with respect to the urgency of 
 providing adequate assistance to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana 
devastated by severe flooding as a result of torrential rains from late 
                     December 2004 to January 2005.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 17, 2005

 Mr. Meeks of New York (for himself, Ms. Lee, Mr. Payne, Mr. Crowley, 
 Mrs. Christensen, Mr. Rangel, Ms. Carson, and Mr. Conyers) submitted 
    the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the 
                  Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
    Expressing the sense of Congress with respect to the urgency of 
 providing adequate assistance to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana 
devastated by severe flooding as a result of torrential rains from late 
                     December 2004 to January 2005.

Whereas from late December 2004 to January 2005 torrential rains caused serious 
        flooding in the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, especially in the 
        country's capital, Georgetown, and other coastal towns;
Whereas the total rainfall reached 59 inches, which is the highest rainfall for 
        a similar time period in Guyana since 1888, more than 100 years ago;
Whereas the Pan American Health Organization estimates that at least 19 people 
        have lost their lives as a result of the floods;
Whereas as of February 8, 2005, the flooding directly affected 290,000 residents 
        in Guyana, with as many as 92,000 persons having lost their homes and 
        livelihoods, and 32,000 persons still awaiting assistance;
Whereas the number of cases related to waterborne diseases such as 
        leptospirosis, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and dengue continues to rise;
Whereas the United Nations currently estimates that $3,000,000 is needed for 
        assistance for Guyana and is awaiting a formal damage assessment once 
        the flood waters recede, that could significantly increase this figure;
Whereas the cost of providing emergency assistance to the region is much greater 
        than Guyana can sustain by itself;
Whereas the United States Agency for International Development has provided over 
        $1,200,000 in assistance to Guyana for relief and recovery from the 
        severe flooding;
Whereas the Guyanese community members and organizations as well as the 
        Consulate and Embassy of Guyana in the United States worked together and 
        organized their own relief effort organization, called Guyana Flood 
        Relief, which raised $35,500 and provided other much-needed resources to 
        Guyana;
Whereas the United States Agency for International Development's Office of 
        Foreign Disaster Assistance is working closely with the Government of 
        Guyana, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian 
        Affairs, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent 
        Societies, the Pan American Health Organization, and other 
        nongovernmental organizations to provide a final assessment of the flood 
        damage and extend aid to flood victims in Guyana;
Whereas the Alliance of Small Island States, a coalition of small island and 
        low-lying coastal countries, including Guyana, is effectively securing 
        sustainable development for such countries, which are some of the most 
        vulnerable countries in the world to natural disasters;
Whereas the people of the United States, where an average of 100 people lose 
        their lives in floods annually and with flood damage averaging more than 
        $2,000,000,000, can empathize with the people of Guyana as they begin 
        the recovery process; and
Whereas Guyana will need significant assistance from the international community 
        for both relief and reconstruction efforts: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) commends the people of Co-operative Republic of Guyana 
        for their efforts to respond to the devastation caused by the 
        severe flooding as a result of torrential rains from late 
        December 2004 to January 2005;
            (2) commends the efforts of Guyanese-Americans and their 
        organizations to provide relief to those individuals who are 
        suffering as result of the flooding;
            (3) commends the ongoing international relief effort that 
        includes the work of individual countries, numerous 
        international organizations, and various relief and other 
        nongovernmental organizations;
            (4) supports the efforts of the United States Government 
        and its coordination with the international community and 
        organizations to assess the damage and provide assistance to 
        the people of Guyana;
            (5) urges the international community to take all necessary 
        steps to provide emergency relief and support reconstruction 
        efforts for Guyana; and
            (6) urges the President, acting through the Administrator 
        of the United States Agency for International Development, to 
        assess, anticipate, and provide further assistance to Guyana as 
        needed to help rebuild lives and restore livelihoods.
                                 <all>