III 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 305 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES October 6, 2009 Mrs. Feinstein (for herself, Mr. Kerry, and Mr. Lugar) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Expressing support for the victims of the natural disasters in Indonesia, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines.

Whereas on September 30, 2009, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter Scale hit Padang, a city of nearly 1,000,000 people on the Indonesian island of Sumatra; Whereas on October 1, 2009, another earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter Scale struck south of Padang; Whereas the earthquakes have destroyed hundreds of homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, and hotels; Whereas John Holmes, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator, has estimated that more than 1,100 people have lost their lives due to the earthquakes; Whereas the United States has responded to this tragedy by providing $300,000 in aid, sending a disaster relief team to the area, and setting aside an additional $3,000,000 in assistance; Whereas on September 29, 2009, following an earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter Scale, a tsunami hit Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga, killing 177 people and affecting approximately 30,000 people; Whereas the United States has sent a 245-member disaster response team to American Samoa, as well as 20,000 meals, 13,000 liters of water, and 800 tents that have been provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency; Whereas on September 26, 2009, Typhoon Ketsana hit Manila, Philippines, resulting in the worst flooding in 4 decades and leaving the homes of approximately 2,000,000 people under water; Whereas approximately 700,000 people in the Philippines have sought shelter in emergency relief centers; Whereas 246 people have died as a result of the flooding, with the number of dead expected to rise; Whereas the Government of the Philippines has estimated that the typhoon has caused at least $100,000,000 in damage; Whereas on September 29, 2009, Typhoon Ketsana hit Vietnam, killing more than 100 people, damaging more than 170,000 homes and forcing 350,000 people to evacuate, and resulting in approximately $168,000,000 in damage; and Whereas 11 lives were lost in Cambodia due to Typhoon Ketsana: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)mourns the loss of life resulting from the earthquakes in Indonesia, the tsunami in Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga, and Typhoon Ketsana in the Philippines, Vietnam, and Cambodia; (2)expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the victims of these tragedies; (3)expresses its sympathies to the survivors who are still suffering in the aftermath of these natural disasters; (4)supports the efforts already provided by the United States Government, relief agencies, and private citizens; and (5)urges the United States Government and the internal community to provide additional humanitarian assistance to aid the survivors of these natural disasters and support reconstruction efforts.