[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 472 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 472

Commending the employees of the Department of Homeland Security, their 
     partners at all levels of government, and the millions of law 
 enforcement, fire service, and emergency medical services personnel, 
 emergency managers, and other emergency response providers nationwide 
  for their dedicated service in protecting the people of the United 
 States and the Nation from acts of terrorism, natural disasters, and 
                     other large-scale emergencies.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 4, 2008

 Mr. Lieberman (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Voinovich, 
  Mr. Carper, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Domenici, Mr. Warner, and Mr. Sununu) 
 submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Commending the employees of the Department of Homeland Security, their 
     partners at all levels of government, and the millions of law 
 enforcement, fire service, and emergency medical services personnel, 
 emergency managers, and other emergency response providers nationwide 
  for their dedicated service in protecting the people of the United 
 States and the Nation from acts of terrorism, natural disasters, and 
                     other large-scale emergencies.

Whereas it has been almost 7 years since the horrific terrorist attacks against 
        the United States and its people on September 11, 2001;
Whereas al-Qaeda and affiliated or inspired terrorist groups remain committed to 
        plotting attacks against the United States, its interests, and its 
        foreign allies, as evidenced by recent terrorist attacks in Great 
        Britain, Algeria, and Pakistan, and disrupted plots in Germany, Denmark, 
        Canada, and the United States;
Whereas the Nation remains vulnerable to catastrophic natural disasters, such as 
        Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the Gulf Coast in August 2005;
Whereas the President has declared more than 400 major disasters and emergencies 
        under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
        Act since 2000, in response to a host of natural disasters, including 
        tornadoes, floods, winter storms, and wildfires that have overwhelmed 
        the capabilities of State and local governments;
Whereas acts of terrorism, natural disasters, and other large-scale emergencies 
        can exact a tragic human toll, resulting in significant numbers of 
        casualties and disrupting hundreds of thousands of lives, causing 
        serious damage to the Nation's critical infrastructure, and inflicting 
        billions of dollars of costs on both the public and private sectors;
Whereas in response to the attacks of September 11, 2001, and the continuing 
        risk to the Nation from a full range of potential catastrophic 
        incidents, Congress established the Department of Homeland Security on 
        March 1, 2003, bringing together 22 disparate Federal entities, 
        enhancing their capabilities with major new divisions emphasizing 
        information analysis, infrastructure protection, and science and 
        technology, and focusing its more than 200,000 employees on the critical 
        mission of defending the Nation against acts of terrorism, natural 
        disasters, and other large-scale emergencies;
Whereas since its creation, the employees of the Department of Homeland Security 
        have endeavored to carry out this mission with commendable dedication, 
        working with other Federal departments and agencies and partners at all 
        levels of government to help secure the Nation's borders, airports, sea 
        and inland ports, critical infrastructure, and people against acts of 
        terrorism, natural disasters, and other large-scale emergencies;
Whereas the Nation's firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical 
        services personnel, and other emergency response providers selflessly 
        and repeatedly risk their lives to fulfill their mission to help 
        prevent, protect against, prepare for, and respond to acts of terrorism, 
        natural disasters, and other large-scale emergencies;
Whereas State, local, territorial, and tribal government officials, the private 
        sector, and ordinary individuals across the country have been working in 
        cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security and other Federal 
        departments and agencies to enhance the Nation's ability to prevent, 
        protect against, prepare for, and respond to natural disasters, acts of 
        terrorism, and other large-scale emergencies; and
Whereas the people of the United States can assist in promoting the Nation's 
        overall preparedness by remaining vigilant, reporting suspicious 
        activity to proper authorities, and preparing themselves and their 
        families for all emergencies, regardless of their cause: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the 
        establishment of the Department of Homeland Security, commends 
        the public servants of the Department for their outstanding 
        contributions to the Nation's security and safety;
            (2) salutes the dedication of State, local, territorial, 
        and tribal government officials, the private sector, and 
        individuals across the country for their efforts to enhance the 
        Nation's ability to prevent, protect against, prepare for, and 
        respond to acts of terrorism, natural disasters, and other 
        large-scale emergencies;
            (3) expresses the Nation's appreciation for the sacrifices 
        and commitment of law enforcement, fire service, and emergency 
        medical services personnel, emergency managers, and other 
        emergency response providers in preventing, protecting against, 
        preparing for, and responding to acts of terrorism, natural 
        disasters, and other large-scale emergencies;
            (4) urges the Federal Government, States, local 
        governments, Indian tribes, schools, nonprofit organizations, 
        businesses, other entities, and the people of the United States 
        to take steps that promote individual and community 
        preparedness for any emergency, regardless of its cause; and
            (5) encourages continued efforts by every individual in the 
        United States to enhance the ability of the Nation to address 
        the full range of potential catastrophic incidents at all 
        levels of government.
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