[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 733 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 733

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                    September 23, 2009.
Whereas Typhoon Morakot hit the island of Taiwan on August 8, 2009, dropping 
        approximately 2.6 meters or 102 inches of rain, more than half the 
        average annual rainfall in many places;
Whereas central and southern Taiwan were hardest hit by the storm;
Whereas mudslides overwhelmed some places in south Taiwan, including the village 
        of Hsiaolin, where 247 homes were lost;
Whereas floods or mudslides damaged more than 191,936 homes;
Whereas infrastructure and farm losses alone have totaled approximately 
        $46,500,000,000 in Taiwanese dollars to date;
Whereas the devastation left by Typhoon Morakot is the worst the island has seen 
        in 50 years;
Whereas as of late August 2009, the official death toll reached 602 with an 
        additional 81 missing, where many of those are believed to be buried by 
        mud in the village of Hsiaolin, which was almost completely covered in a 
        mudslide triggered by several days of extremely heavy rainfall;
Whereas beginning on August 22, 2009, Taiwan held a three-day mourning period in 
        memory of those who were killed in mudslides and floods after Typhoon 
        Morakot;
Whereas the United States assisted efforts by providing Marine Corps C-130 
        aircraft from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma on Okinawa to deliver 
        humanitarian relief supplies in addition to KC-130 aircraft and MH 53 
        and MH 60 helicopters from strategic United States bases located in 
        Japan;
Whereas on March 24, 2009, the House of Representatives passed H. Con. Res. 55 
        to mark the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations 
        Act (Public Law 96-8), codifying in law the basis for continued 
        commercial, cultural, and other relations between the United States and 
        the Republic of China (Taiwan); and
Whereas Taiwan has been a steadfast ally of the United States and a responsible 
        and compassionate member of the world community: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) mourns the terrible loss of life caused by Typhoon Morakot that 
        occurred on August 8, 2009, in Taiwan;
            (2) expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the many 
        victims;
            (3) recognizes the deep ties between the United States and Taiwan 
        and expresses continued solidarity with its people during this time of 
        crisis; and
            (4) expresses gratitude to the people of the United States who have 
        generously supported those humanitarian aid agencies working to assist 
        the people of Taiwan in this time of need.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.