[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 629 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 629

Extending the condolences and sympathy of the House of Representatives 
 to the Government and the people of Greece for the grave loss of life 
  and vast destruction caused by the devastating fires raging through 
                        Greece since June 2007.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 4, 2007

 Mr. Sarbanes (for himself, Mr. Lantos, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mrs. Maloney 
  of New York, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Space, Ms. Berkley, Mr. Payne, Mr. 
 Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Shays, 
   Ms. Watson, Mr. Crowley, and Mr. Wexler) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Extending the condolences and sympathy of the House of Representatives 
 to the Government and the people of Greece for the grave loss of life 
  and vast destruction caused by the devastating fires raging through 
                        Greece since June 2007.

Whereas more than 3,000 forest fires have been recorded in Greece since June 
        2007;
Whereas over a 10-day period, an estimated 4,000 people saw their homes 
        destroyed by the wildfires, which razed dozens of villages, destroyed 
        livestock and charred an estimated 469,000 acres of mostly forest and 
        farmland;
Whereas dozens of Greek families have lost their loved ones to the fires;
Whereas thousands of Greeks have been left homeless and hundreds of thousands of 
        acres of pristine forest have been destroyed;
Whereas hundreds of thousands of mature olive trees, vineyards and thousands of 
        animals perished in the flames;
Whereas damage to the Greek economy is estimated at between $1,600,000,000 and 
        $5,400,000,000;
Whereas the United States and Greece have stood side by side in confronting 
        world challenges throughout the 20th century, and will stand together in 
        confronting this new challenge; and
Whereas the United States, through its government, its people and its Greek-
        American community, has already extended significant support to the 
        people of Greece during this difficult time: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) extends its condolences and sympathy to the Government 
        and the people of Greece for the grave loss of life and vast 
        destruction caused by the devastating fires raging through 
        Greece;
            (2) vows its full support and solidarity to a close friend, 
        a strategic partner, and a longstanding ally in this painful 
        and difficult hour;
            (3) fully supports the Administration's initiatives to 
        provide assistance and relief to the people of Greece, 
        including its pledge of $1,500,000 in aid as well as expert and 
        technical assistance;
            (4) encourages public institutions, specialized agencies, 
        as well as private citizens, to offer their resources; and
            (5) expresses confidence that Greece and its people will 
        succeed in overcoming the hardships incurred through this 
        tragedy.
                                 <all>