[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 436 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 436

Expressing support for the people affected by the natural disasters on 
                            Madeira Island.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 4, 2010

  Mr. Whitehouse (for himself, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Brown of 
Massachusetts) submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
                             and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing support for the people affected by the natural disasters on 
                            Madeira Island.

Whereas on February 20, 2010, a powerful storm hit Madeira Island, the largest 
        of the islands that comprise the Madeira Autonomous Region of Portugal, 
        resulting in a series of devastating flash floods and mudslides;
Whereas the storm caused boulders, trees, and earth to be hurled against 
        buildings, carried away vehicles, and washed away roads and bridges on 
        the south side of Madeira Island, an area that includes Funchal, the 
        capital of the Madeira Autonomous Region;
Whereas 42 people have lost their lives, 151 people have received treatment for 
        injuries at the main hospital in Funchal, and hundreds of people have 
        been displaced;
Whereas the storm destroyed a large portion of the water and communication 
        infrastructure on Madeira Island;
Whereas Jose Socrates, the Prime Minister of Portugal, has promised ``all 
        necessary aid'' to Madeira, and Alberto Joao Goncalves Jardim, the 
        President of the Madeira Autonomous Region, has consulted with European 
        Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso to seek further assistance;
Whereas a Portuguese Navy frigate has dispatched troops to Madeira Island, with 
        Portuguese divers and a medical team also arriving to offer emergency 
        assistance;
Whereas the Government of Portugal has announced 3 days of national mourning for 
        those who lost their lives in this disaster;
Whereas the United States is providing assistance through the Office of Foreign 
        Disaster Assistance of the United States Agency for International 
        Development;
Whereas there are approximately 400 citizens of the United States on Madeira 
        Island, with United States officials continually working to ensure their 
        safety and well-being; and
Whereas a community of approximately 1,500,000 Portuguese-Americans, strongly 
        represented in the States of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, maintain 
        deep and enduring ties with Portugal and Madeira Island: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) mourns the loss of life and expresses its deepest 
        condolences to the families of those killed and injured by 
        floods and mudslides resulting from the storm that hit Madeira 
        Island on February 20, 2010;
            (2) expresses solidarity between the people of the United 
        States and Madeira, recognizing the historical ties between 
        Portuguese-Americans, Portugal, and the Madeira Autonomous 
        Region; and
            (3) applauds the courageous rescue efforts of fire, 
        medical, and military personnel and other volunteers in 
        response to the flooding and mudslides.
                                 <all>