[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1613 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1613

Expressing condolences to and solidarity with the people of Pakistan in 
  the aftermath of the devastating floods that began on July 22, 2010.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 14, 2010

 Mr. Berman (for himself, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Burton 
 of Indiana, Mr. Ackerman, Mr. Faleomavaega, Mr. Gene Green of Texas, 
    Ms. Lee of California, and Mr. Deutch) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing condolences to and solidarity with the people of Pakistan in 
  the aftermath of the devastating floods that began on July 22, 2010.

Whereas heavy rainfall that began on July 22, 2010, and subsequent flooding 
        throughout Pakistan have caused a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented 
        proportions that has affected over 20,000,000 people, killing more than 
        1,750, injuring over 2,700, damaging or destroying upwards of 1,800,000 
        houses, and displacing millions of men, women, and children;
Whereas the devastation wrought by the floods has been catastrophic, submerging 
        one-fifth of the country and destroying critical infrastructure, farms, 
        schools, homes, and businesses, leaving an estimated 800,000 Pakistanis 
        stranded and cut off from all help;
Whereas according to the Government of Pakistan, the floods have affected 30 
        percent of all agricultural land and could lower by one-half Pakistan's 
        economic growth rate for the current fiscal year, further destabilizing 
        a nation already beset by multiple daunting challenges;
Whereas the emergency continues to unfold in Sindh Province, where just under 
        7,000,000 people have already been affected, of whom 1,300,000 are in 
        government relief camps, with new evacuation orders recently having been 
        issued;
Whereas the danger of the floods extends beyond the current humanitarian crisis, 
        with the potential to create significant instability in Pakistan;
Whereas the Pakistani Army, Navy, and Frontier Corps have sent humanitarian 
        supplies and medical teams to flood-hit areas, while the National and 
        Provincial Disaster Management Authorities have coordinated 
        international relief activities;
Whereas the United States has responded to the crisis with relief and recovery 
        funds, food and medical supplies, and logistical support that account 
        for more than 20 percent of total international humanitarian 
        contributions and commitments;
Whereas the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through 
        its Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), has supported 26 
        mobile medical teams, delivered more than 8,000 rolls of plastic 
        sheeting to provide temporary shelter for approximately 247,000 people, 
        and dispatched 13 mobile water treatment units to support the Government 
        of Pakistan's flood relief effort, which have produced more than 
        12,000,000 liters of clean water;
Whereas USAID's Office of Food for Peace (FFP) has provided direct support for 
        the United Nations World Food Program's food ration distributions, 
        helping to reach approximately 3,000,000 Pakistanis with more than 
        48,000 metric tons of food;
Whereas the United States Department of Defense has dispatched 23 military 
        helicopters and four C-130 aircraft to deliver more than 5,000,000 
        pounds of relief supplies and has rescued more than 13,000 flood-
        affected individuals;
Whereas the United States has provided civilian and military in-kind assistance 
        in the form of halal meals, prefabricated steel bridges, and other 
        infrastructure support;
Whereas the United States is working in close partnership with United Nations-
        affiliated and international humanitarian organizations to support 
        relief, recovery, and reconstruction;
Whereas the Pakistani-American community has demonstrated strong leadership in 
        rallying support for flood victims, directing public attention to the 
        crisis, and disseminating information about the response;
Whereas scores of United States private and voluntary organizations have 
        mobilized quickly to respond to the crisis in Pakistan with both 
        emergency relief and longer term development assistance, raising over 
        $11,000,000 in private donations for assessing emergency needs, 
        distributing water, food, and relief items, and providing medical care 
        and temporary shelter;
Whereas the success of United States Government humanitarian efforts depends 
        heavily on the skills, expertise, and field presence of international 
        and nongovernmental organizations;
Whereas United States businesses have contributed more than $8,000,000 in 
        humanitarian assistance for Pakistani flood victims;
Whereas the immediate and swift reaction of United States military personnel, 
        diplomats, and development experts has saved countless lives and 
        encouraged a generous international response;
Whereas the people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the United States 
        share a long history of friendship, economic cooperation, and enduring 
        family ties, and the interests of both nations are well served by 
        strengthening and deepening the bilateral relationship;
Whereas the United States Congress adopted, and the President signed into law, 
        the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009, which authorizes 
        democratic, economic, development, and security assistance over 5 years 
        to help the Pakistani people achieve their aspirations for a democratic, 
        stable, and prosperous society; and
Whereas the United States remains committed to helping the resilient and 
        resourceful people of Pakistan surmount and recover from this natural 
        disaster: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) mourns the significant loss of life, as well as the 
        physical damage, caused by the flooding in Pakistan;
            (2) expresses its deepest condolences and sympathy to the 
        families of the victims of the floods, and its solidarity with 
        the millions of affected Pakistanis;
            (3) recognizes that Pakistan is and remains a close ally 
        and friend of the United States;
            (4) recognizes that an effective and accountable government 
        in Pakistan is essential for the country's long-term recovery 
        and stability;
            (5) urges the United States Administration and the 
        international community, including private citizens and foreign 
        governments, to continue providing assistance to help the 
        people of Pakistan and to help strengthen and support the 
        capacity of the Government of Pakistan to meet the needs of its 
        people;
            (6) supports the use of funds authorized by the Enhanced 
        Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 for the purposes of 
        providing long-term recovery and rehabilitation for flood-
        affected areas and populations;
            (7) urges a reexamination of priorities for spending the 
        funds authorized by the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act 
        of 2009, with a view toward ensuring that the needs of the 
        Pakistani people are appropriately addressed in the aftermath 
        of the disaster;
            (8) commends the relief and recovery actions, still 
        underway, by the United States military, the Department, of 
        State, and USAID to assist the people of Pakistan during this 
        critical period;
            (9) commends the extraordinary humanitarian efforts and 
        sustained commitment to helping the people of Pakistan by 
        international and nongovernmental organizations;
            (10) recognizes the contributions of the Pakistani-American 
        community and United States businesses to relief and recovery 
        efforts in Pakistan; and
            (11) reaffirms the commitment of the people of the United 
        States to partner with the people of Pakistan to respond to the 
        immediate crisis and build the foundations for a successful and 
        lasting recovery.
                                 <all>