[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 765 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 765

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                    September 23, 2009.
Whereas the State of Georgia has been hit by days of unusually strong storms 
        that have resulted in downpours and flooding, beginning on September 18, 
        2009;
Whereas numerous Georgia rivers and creeks, including the Chattooga and 
        Chattahoochee Rivers and Chickamauga Creek, swollen by days of rain, 
        have overtopped their banks, creating a dangerous and deadly situation 
        for nearby residents;
Whereas the storms and floods have taken human lives;
Whereas the floodwater has destroyed homes, flooded roadways, including major 
        highways, compromised drinking water, severely damaged plumbing systems, 
        and caused significant damage to homes and businesses;
Whereas on September 21, 2009, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue declared a state of 
        emergency in 17 counties, including Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, 
        Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Crawford, DeKalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton, 
        Gwinnett, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens, and Walker Counties;
Whereas the National Weather Service estimated that between 15 and 22 inches of 
        rain have fallen in the metropolitan Atlanta counties of Gwinnett, 
        Douglas, and Paulding between September 18 and 21, 2009;
Whereas the rains have broken a 130-year-old record at Hartsfield-Jackson 
        International Airport;
Whereas hundreds of Georgians have been evacuated from their homes and over 300 
        people are seeking refuge in shelters;
Whereas the Governor estimates that over 1,000 residences are seriously flooded;
Whereas the weather has closed schools in several counties;
Whereas as many as tens of thousands of people have been without power in 
        metropolitan Atlanta;
Whereas search and rescue operations are continuing in several counties where 
        the water continues to rise;
Whereas the Georgia Emergency Management Agency has coordinated with local 
        emergency personnel and has worked tirelessly to protect human lives and 
        rescue those threatened by the floods;
Whereas the Georgia Emergency Management Agency continues to facilitate requests 
        for assistance from citizens and first responders all across the State 
        of Georgia;
Whereas the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and other first responders have 
        acted valiantly in life safety response operations, including delivering 
        sandbags and rescuing people trapped in their cars and homes from the 
        floodwater;
Whereas the Federal Emergency Management Agency has activated its national and 
        regional response coordination centers and is working closely with the 
        State of Georgia to monitor the response efforts and identify and 
        respond to any immediate emergency needs for the citizens and 
        communities of the State that are impacted by these devastating floods; 
        and
Whereas volunteers are giving their time to help ensure that evacuees are 
        sheltered, clothed, fed, and comforted through this traumatic event: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) offers its deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of 
        those who lost their lives in the flooding in the State of Georgia;
            (2) expresses its condolences to the families who lost their homes 
        and other property in the floods;
            (3) expresses gratitude and appreciation to the people of the State 
        of Georgia and the surrounding States, who continue to work to protect 
        people from the still rising floodwaters;
            (4) expresses its support as the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
        continues its efforts to respond to any needs of the citizens and 
        communities affected by the flooding; and
            (5) honors the emergency responders, within and beyond metropolitan 
        Atlanta and the State of Georgia, for their bravery and sacrifice during 
        this tragedy.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.