[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 274 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]








109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 274

  Expressing sympathy and pledging the support of the Senate and the 
   American people to the victims of the devastating earthquake that 
struck South Asia and caused the severe loss of life and destruction on 
  October 8, 2005, and pledging immediate United States assistance to 
  save lives and help the region recover from this monumental tragedy.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 17, 2005

  Mr. Frist (for himself, Mr. Reid, Mr. Martinez, Mr. Biden, and Mr. 
  Lugar) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
                               agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing sympathy and pledging the support of the Senate and the 
   American people to the victims of the devastating earthquake that 
struck South Asia and caused the severe loss of life and destruction on 
  October 8, 2005, and pledging immediate United States assistance to 
  save lives and help the region recover from this monumental tragedy.

Whereas on October 8, 2005, at 8:50 am local time, a devastating earthquake, 
        measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, struck parts of Pakistan, India, and 
        Afghanistan, causing massive loss of life and destruction;
Whereas it is estimated that more than 39,000 people residing in Pakistan-
        administered Kashmir and the Northwest Frontier Province of Pakistan and 
        between 1,000 to 2,000 people located in Indian-administered Kashmir 
        have perished as a result of the earthquake and that tens of thousands 
        of others have been injured;
Whereas the capital city of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, located 
        near the epicenter of the earthquake, was one of the worst-affected 
        cities, suffering tens of thousands of deaths and widespread destruction 
        throughout the city;
Whereas millions of people throughout the region have been left homeless as a 
        result of this earthquake;
Whereas the earthquake damaged and destroyed sanitation systems and hospitals 
        and left thousands of people more vulnerable to deadly diseases such as 
        measles and cholera;
Whereas the Senate and the people of the United States acknowledge with deep 
        sadness that this severe tragedy occurred during the Islamic holy month 
        of Ramadan, a time when Muslims across the world observe a fast during 
        the daylight hours and focus on worship, contemplation, and 
        strengthening family and community ties;
Whereas the United States immediately deployed material and technical assistance 
        to the region, including plastic sheeting, blankets, water containers, 
        food, and a United States Agency for International Development Disaster 
        Assistance Response Team to assess humanitarian needs, coordinate 
        assistance from the United States, and provide technical assistance as 
        required;
Whereas the Department of Defense immediately dispatched 8 military helicopters 
        and is providing additional helicopter support to assist in relief and 
        rescue operations in remote areas that are largely inaccessible by road;
Whereas the United States made an initial pledge of $50,000,000 in humanitarian 
        assistance to help Pakistan cope with its massive relief and recovery 
        needs;
Whereas Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, during her October 12, 2005, visit 
        to Pakistan, said that the United States would support Pakistan over the 
        long-term in the Pakistani Government's efforts to provide assistance to 
        the victims of the earthquake and rebuild parts of the country 
        devastated by the earthquake;
Whereas the United Nations launched a $272,000,000 international flash appeal to 
        support recovery efforts;
Whereas the United Nations estimates that as many as 2,500,000 people are 
        homeless and 1,000,000 are in need of immediate assistance;
Whereas Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has appealed for international 
        assistance and called for more medicine, tents, and cargo helicopters;
Whereas Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared the earthquake a 
        ``national calamity'' and pledged to rebuild the lives of thousands of 
        people in Indian-administered Kashmir affected by the earthquake;
Whereas during humanitarian crises, such as the earthquake that struck South 
        Asia, women and children often become more vulnerable to exploitation 
        and abuse and have difficulty accessing humanitarian relief;
Whereas India has begun sending a consignment of 25 tons of emergency relief 
        supplies, including medicines, blankets, tents, and food items, to 
        Islamabad, the first time India has provided assistance to Pakistan in 
        over 30 years; and
Whereas the recovery and reconstruction of the devastated areas will require the 
        concerted leadership of the United States working with the governments 
        of the affected countries and with the international community: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) expresses its sympathy and support for the people of 
        South Asia following the devastating earthquake that struck 
        Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan on October 8, 2005, during the 
        Islamic holy month of Ramadan;
            (2) conveys its most sincere condolences to the families, 
        communities, and governments of the more than 39,000 people 
        that lost their lives in this terrible natural disaster;
            (3) expresses its admiration and full support for the 
        courageous rescue and relief workers, including personnel of 
        the United States Agency for International Development and the 
        United States military, who are saving lives and providing 
        relief and assistance to those affected by the earthquake;
            (4) supports the initial pledge by President George W. Bush 
        of $50,000,000 in humanitarian assistance, the deployment of 
        United States military assets to the region to assist in relief 
        and recovery efforts, and provision of additional United States 
        assistance necessary to save lives and help the region recover 
        from this monumental disaster;
            (5) commends the ongoing international relief effort that 
        includes the work of individual countries, numerous 
        international organizations, and various relief and 
        nongovernmental entities;
            (6) commends the Governments of Pakistan and India for 
        their cooperation in the common cause of saving lives and 
        providing humanitarian relief to people on both sides of the 
        Line of Control; and
            (7) encourages further cooperation between India and 
        Pakistan on relief operations and efforts to fortify and expand 
        peace and stability in the region as they cope with the impact 
        of the earthquake over the next several months and seek to 
        rehabilitate the lives of those affected.
                                 <all>