[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 816 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 816

 Mourning the loss of life caused by the earthquakes and tsunamis that 
      occurred on September 29, 2009, in American Samoa and Samoa.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 8, 2009

   Mr. Faleomavaega (for himself, Mr. Berman, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. 
 Rahall, Ms. Richardson, Mr. Ackerman, Ms. Bordallo, Mrs. Christensen, 
 Mr. Abercrombie, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Sablan, Mr. Manzullo, Mr. Flake, Mr. 
   Hastings of Washington, Mr. Burton of Indiana, Mr. Gutierrez, Mr. 
 Lamborn, Mr. Wamp, Mr. Sires, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Murtha, 
    Mr. Brown of South Carolina, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mr. Ortiz, Mr. 
Pierluisi, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Honda, Mr. Cao, Mr. Meeks of New York, 
 Mr. Serrano, Mr. Gonzalez, Ms. Shea-Porter, Mr. Hinchey, Mrs. Capps, 
Mr. Chaffetz, Ms. Chu, Mr. Wu, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Kind, Mr. Delahunt, Mr. 
 Al Green of Texas, Ms. Kilpatrick of Michigan, Mr. Costa, Mr. Engel, 
  Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Ms. DeGette, and Mr. Payne) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural 
 Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a 
 period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
                          committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Mourning the loss of life caused by the earthquakes and tsunamis that 
      occurred on September 29, 2009, in American Samoa and Samoa.

Whereas, on September 29, 2009, at 1748 UTC, a powerful earthquake struck below 
        the ocean about 140 miles southwest of Pago Pago, American Samoa, and 
        125 miles south of Samoa, centered only 11 miles below the seabed;
Whereas the earthquake registered 8.3 on the Richter scale and is recognized as 
        the world's largest earthquake of 2009;
Whereas a second earthquake with a magnitude of 5.6 occurred at 1808 UTC in the 
        vicinity of the first one;
Whereas the first undersea earthquake created a massive tsunami that struck in 
        American Samoa, Samoa, and neighboring Tonga, sweeping cars and people 
        out to sea as survivors fled to high ground;
Whereas the tsunami, with waves that reached up to 20 feet in height and 
        penetrated one mile inland, caused death and destruction on a nearly 
        unprecedented scale;
Whereas the death toll, as of October 7, 2009, is estimated at 32 in American 
        Samoa and 135 in the Independent State of Samoa;
Whereas many individuals and families affected in this region are now lacking 
        basic survival necessities and there remains the risk of numerous 
        additional deaths due to shortages of clean water, adequate shelter, 
        food, sanitation, and basic healthcare;
Whereas the human cost of this disaster transcends mere statistics and has 
        resulted in deeply personal tragedies for numerous families and 
        communities in the region and throughout the world;
Whereas children in the United States Territory of American Samoa running for 
        home unknowingly ran in the direction of the tsunami;
Whereas the villages of Fagamalo, Poloa, Amanave, Failolo, Afao, Asili, Amaluia, 
        Leone, Fagasa, Faga'alu, Fagatogo, Pago Pago, Afono, Vatia, Lauli'i, 
        Faga'itua, Masefau, Alao, Tula, and Aoa in American Samoa were 
        devastated by the disaster;
Whereas in response to this disaster and call for assistance, the people of the 
        United States have responded with a generous and heartfelt outpouring of 
        aid;
Whereas a team of more than 300 responders from the Federal Emergency Management 
        Agency (FEMA), the American Red Cross, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 
        the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other Federal 
        agencies is on the ground in American Samoa coordinating relief and 
        recovery operations;
Whereas the United States Navy (USN), the United States Coast Guard (USCG), the 
        Hawaii Air National Guard, and the U.S. Army Reserve American Samoa, 
        under the leadership of Admiral Timothy J. Keating, Commander, U.S. 
        Pacific Command (PACOM), and Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Iuniasolua T. 
        Savusa, Senior Enlisted Leader, PACOM, with the support of Major General 
        Robert G.F. Lee, the Adjutant General, State of Hawaii, provided 
        critical transport of the life-saving and life-sustaining supplies and 
        equipment to meet the immediate needs of the survivors, including more 
        than 26,000 meals, 14,000 liters of water, 1,800 blankets, 800 tents, 
        more than 800 cots, and 9 pallets of medical supplies and medical 
        equipment in support of American Samoa's mass care operations;
Whereas foreign governments, including Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of 
        China, the Republic of Korea, Palau, Thailand, Samoa, Fiji, Grenada, 
        Hungary, Uzbekistan, Republic of China (Taiwan), Indonesia, Nauru, 
        Australia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Japan, Pacific Islands Forum members, and 
        the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) sent messages of support and 
        offers of aid to the people of American Samoa;
Whereas organizations including the Li Ka Shing Foundation, Save the Children, 
        the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Latter-day Saint 
        Charities, Catholic Charities, the American Jewish Joint Distribution 
        Committee (JDC), National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, 
        StarKist, Bumble Bee, the National Football League (NFL), and many 
        others are providing assistance;
Whereas the Samoan community in areas such as California, Utah, Washington, and 
        Hawaii have been instrumental in helping their ``aiga'' abroad; and
Whereas President Barack Obama telephoned the Governor of American Samoa and 
        American Samoa's Delegate to the United States House of Representatives 
        to personally extend his and the First Lady's condolences to the people 
        of American Samoa: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) mourns the loss of life caused by the earthquakes and 
        tsunamis that occurred on September 29, 2009, in American Samoa 
        and Samoa;
            (2) offers its deepest sympathy and condolences to the 
        families of the many earthquake and tsunami victims;
            (3) pledges its full support to the people of American 
        Samoa and the villages of Fagamalo, Poloa, Amanave, Failolo, 
        Afao, Asili, Amaluia, Leone, Fagasa, Faga'alu, Fagatogo, Pago 
        Pago, Afono, Vatia, Lauli'i, Faga'itua, Masefau, Alao, Tula, 
        and Aoa as they begin the long and difficult process of 
        rebuilding their homes and lives;
            (4) recognizes the humanitarian response that is currently 
        underway and commends the efforts of all persons and relief 
        organizations who continue to alleviate the suffering by 
        providing financial and material support;
            (5) urges continued attention by donors and relief agencies 
        to the needs of vulnerable populations in the stricken areas, 
        particularly the children and elderly who have been 
        devastatingly affected by this disaster;
            (6) expresses gratitude and appreciation to the foreign 
        governments from around the world that are lending their 
        support to the United States Territory of American Samoa;
            (7) commends the over 100,000 Samoans residing in the 
        United States from American Samoa and Samoa for coming to the 
        aid of their ``aiga'' in the affected islands; and
            (8) pays tribute to the people of American Samoa and Samoa 
        for their strength of spirit and their deep and abiding faith 
        in God which brings hope to all of us.
                                 <all>