[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 935 Introduced in House (IH)]








109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 935

   Acknowledging the progress yet to be made in the rebuilding after 
                      Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 20, 2006

   Mr. Jefferson (for himself, Mr. Boustany, Mr. Ross, Mr. Scott of 
Virginia, Ms. Kilpatrick of Michigan, Ms. Lee, Mr. Melancon, Mr. Brady 
of Pennsylvania, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Towns, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Baker, Mr. 
   McCrery, and Mr. Thompson of Mississippi) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and 
                             Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Acknowledging the progress yet to be made in the rebuilding after 
                      Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Whereas Hurricane Katrina made landfall in the Gulf Coast region on August 29, 
        2005, as a powerful category three storm and is recorded as the third 
        strongest land-falling United States hurricane ever recorded with winds 
        peaking at 175 miles per hour;
Whereas Hurricane Katrina caused four protective levees to breach, including the 
        17th Avenue Canal, the Industrial Canal, and the London Avenue Canal, 
        resulting in flooding of the city of New Orleans and the parishes of St. 
        Bernard and Plaquemines;
Whereas nearly every home and business was destroyed in St. Bernard Parish, and 
        Plaquemines Parish also suffered extensive damage;
Whereas approximately 80 percent of New Orleans was submerged for nearly one 
        month;
Whereas Hurricane Katrina destroyed 275,000 homes, 18,750 businesses, and 875 
        schools and is blamed for the deaths of 1,577 residents
Whereas Hurricane Katrina devastated institutions of higher education including 
        Xavier University of Louisiana, Tulane University, Loyola University, 
        Dillard University, Southern University at New Orleans, the University 
        of New Orleans, and Delgado Community College;
Whereas prior to Hurricane Katrina the population of New Orleans stood at 
        484,674, and nearly a year later less than half have been able to return 
        to their homes;
Whereas Hurricane Katrina caused personal injuries and complete devastation to 
        homes, businesses, and public property and disabled industries across 
        Mississippi;
Whereas Hurricane Rita made landfall along the Louisiana and Texas coasts on 
        September 24, 2005, as the fourth most intense Atlantic hurricane ever 
        recorded causing $9.4 billion in damage;
Whereas Hurricane Rita completely destroyed several small towns in Southwest 
        Louisiana and washed tons of potentially hazardous debris into the 
        area's marshes;
Whereas in Cameron Parish, 19 public buildings, including the local hospital and 
        Cameron Elementary School still need to be demolished;
Whereas in coastal Terrebonne Parish, the count of severely damaged or destroyed 
        homes stood at nearly 9,900;
Whereas the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and 
        Response to Hurricane Katrina uncovered failures of initiative and 
        leadership at all levels of government despite adequate warning and 
        resources;
Whereas Hurricane Katrina overwhelmed the capabilities of State and local 
        governments, and the Congress appropriated billions of dollars for 
        emergency response needs such as evacuations, emergency repairs, 
        deployment of personnel, and other expenses resulting from immediate 
        relief efforts;
Whereas the Congress has responded to the devastation by providing billions of 
        dollars in assistance, including tax relief, student aid, and disability 
        services to victims of Hurricane Katrina;
Whereas a Gulf Coast Opportunity Zone has been created by the Congress to 
        expedite economic recovery and provide tax benefits for individuals and 
        businesses affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita;
Whereas 4.5 million people have been affected by the devastation of Hurricanes 
        Katrina and Rita; and
Whereas the American people have been extremely generous in their support for 
        the region in addition to the outpouring of assistance from the 
        international community: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the importance of the Gulf Coast region to 
        the national economy;
            (2) expresses its support for all those still affected by 
        these terrible natural disasters one year later; and
            (3) reaffirms its commitment to rebuilding the Gulf Coast 
        region and improving the quality of life for all of its 
        residents.
                                 <all>