[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 430 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 430

  Expressing condolences to the citizens of Italy and support for the 
Government of Italy in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that 
              struck the Abruzzo region of central Italy.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 12, 2009

  Mr. Pascrell (for himself, Mr. Tiberi, Mr. Ackerman, Mr. Sires, Mr. 
   Brown of South Carolina, Mr. Maffei, Mrs. Miller of Michigan, Mr. 
    Capuano, Mr. McGovern, Ms. Velazquez, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. 
    Delahunt, Ms. Titus, Mr. Wexler, Mr. Connolly of Virginia, Mr. 
McCotter, and Mr. Filner) submitted the following resolution; which was 
              referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing condolences to the citizens of Italy and support for the 
Government of Italy in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that 
              struck the Abruzzo region of central Italy.

Whereas, in the early morning hours of April 6, 2009, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake 
        struck the Abruzzo region of central Italy, killing over 250 people, 
        damaging or destroying up to 15,000 buildings, and leaving tens of 
        thousands homeless;
Whereas the epicenter of the quake was the town of L'Aquila, located 60 miles 
        northeast of Rome, and massive destruction was reported in 26 
        surrounding cities, towns, and villages;
Whereas rescue workers, who have heroically pulled over 100 survivors from the 
        rubble, continue to find survivors amongst the wreckage days after the 
        quake struck;
Whereas strong aftershocks continue to rock the region and create hazardous 
        conditions for residents and rescue workers;
Whereas this was Italy's deadliest quake since 1980;
Whereas the earthquake damaged centuries old landmarks including churches and 
        castles;
Whereas humanitarian aid agencies in the United States and around the world are 
        mobilizing to provide much needed assistance to the relief and recovery 
        efforts;
Whereas President Barack Obama has expressed his condolences, and those of the 
        people of the United States, to families that have lost loved ones and 
        assured Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi that the United States stands 
        ready to help Italy at this time of need; and
Whereas Prime Minister Berlusconi said that Italy would accept the support 
        offered by President Obama and would devote it to preserving the 
        region's cultural and artistic heritage and educational institutions: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) mourns the loss of life and expresses its deepest 
        condolences to the families of those killed and injured in the 
        earthquake;
            (2) recognizes the deep ties between the United States and 
        Italy and expresses continued solidarity with the people of 
        Italy during this time of crisis;
            (3) applauds the courageous response of Italian rescue 
        workers;
            (4) supports President Obama's offer of United States 
        assistance to Italy in response to this catastrophic event;
            (5) urges the people of the United States to generously 
        support those humanitarian aid agencies working to assist the 
        people of Italy in this time of need;
            (6) commends the many United States organizations, 
        including the National Italian-American Foundation, working to 
        demonstrate support and solidarity with the Italian people and 
        raising funds to provide needed help; and
            (7) expresses gratitude to the people of the United States 
        who have generously supported those humanitarian aid agencies 
        working to assist the people of Italy in this time of need.
                                 <all>