[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 172 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 172

  Expressing heartfelt condolences and support for assistance to the 
 people of Japan and all those affected in the aftermath of the deadly 
               earthquake and tsunamis of March 11, 2011.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 15, 2011

 Mr. Honda (for himself, Mr. Manzullo, Ms. Hanabusa, Mr. Faleomavaega, 
 Ms. DeGette, Mrs. Davis of California, Ms. Hirono, Ms. McCollum, Mr. 
   Grijalva, Ms. Richardson, Mr. Rush, Ms. Moore, Mr. David Scott of 
Georgia, Ms. Bass of California, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Hastings of Florida, 
     Ms. Chu, Mr. McNerney, Mr. Thompson of California, Ms. Lee of 
California, Ms. Matsui, Mr. Sablan, Ms. Bordallo, Mr. Wu, Mr. Ellison, 
   Mr. Cicilline, Mr. McDermott, Ms. Zoe Lofgren of California, Mr. 
 Pierluisi, Mr. George Miller of California, Mr. Larsen of Washington, 
    Mr. Deutch, Mr. McIntyre, Mr. Levin, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Neal, Mr. 
Pascrell, Mr. Berman, Ms. Woolsey, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, 
 and Mr. Scott of Virginia) submitted the following resolution; which 
            was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing heartfelt condolences and support for assistance to the 
 people of Japan and all those affected in the aftermath of the deadly 
               earthquake and tsunamis of March 11, 2011.

Whereas on March 11, 2011, an estimated 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the 
        northeast coast of Japan, approximately 80 miles from the coastal city 
        of Sendai;
Whereas the massive earthquake was the most powerful on record to hit Japan and 
        the fourth strongest in the world since 1900, according to the U.S. 
        Geological Survey;
Whereas the earthquake has been followed by more than 200 aftershocks, some 
        reaching magnitudes above 6.0 and triggering additional tsunami 
        warnings;
Whereas the massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake produced a major tsunami nearly 30 
        feet in height which surged several miles inland in Japan;
Whereas the tsunami traveled across the Pacific Ocean at an approximate speed of 
        500 miles per hour, prompting warnings and alerts for over 50 countries 
        and territories throughout the Pacific Ocean, including the United 
        States and her territories;
Whereas the tsunami's impact on the United States included two casualties, 
        forced evacuations, and significant property damage initially reported 
        in Kealakekua, Maalaea Harbor, and Kahului in Hawaii, Crescent City, 
        Fort Bragg, and Santa Cruz harbors in California, and the port of 
        Brookings-Harbor in Oregon;
Whereas by March 14, 2011, states of emergency were declared for Hawaii and 
        California's Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz counties 
        with others to possibly follow;
Whereas videos and aerial images taken immediately following the tsunami's 
        impact on Japan show flooded towns and farmland, collapsed buildings and 
        homes, raging fires, and hundreds of automobiles, trains, and boats 
        swept away;
Whereas four nuclear power plants in Fukushima Prefecture were immediately 
        shutdown due to safety concerns about damage sustained and prompted the 
        evacuation of thousands of local residents;
Whereas by March 14, 2011, states of emergency continue at the Fukushima Daiichi 
        and Fukushima Daini nuclear power plants due to multiple explosions, 
        threats of leaking radiation, and possible nuclear meltdown;
Whereas after the earthquake and tsunami impact, nearly half a million people in 
        Japan were displaced and millions more were left without power;
Whereas by March 14, 2011, the National Police Agency of Japan reported the 
        number of people affected at 1,897 casualties, 1,885 injured, and 3,002 
        missing;
Whereas the police chief of Miyagi Prefecture, prefecture nearest to the 
        epicenter of the earthquake, predicted that the casualties could be over 
        10,000 in that area alone;
Whereas the full extent of the tremendous loss of life and destruction of 
        property will not be known for some time;
Whereas Japan Prime Minister Naoto Kan addressed the people of Japan and said 
        that ``this is the biggest crisis we have faced in our 65-year post war 
        history'';
Whereas the people of Japan have demonstrated steadfast courage, selflessness, 
        resilience, and compassion during this tragedy;
Whereas international groups and private citizens have quickly and 
        compassionately rallied humanitarian assistance and donations for the 
        people of Japan;
Whereas over 70 nations have offered relief assistance and many have sent 
        disaster response teams to Japan, including a search and rescue team 
        from New Zealand, which was devastated by an earthquake on February 22, 
        2011;
Whereas the United States helped to rebuild Japan following World War II, 
        fostering an enduring friendship between the two peoples;
Whereas the friendship between the United States and Japan is based upon shared 
        democratic ideals, strong economic ties, and a mutual security 
        partnership;
Whereas the United States rapidly responded to the earthquake by sending to 
        Japan two United States Agency for International Development (USAID) 
        urban search and rescue teams, a USAID Disaster Assistance Response 
        Team, and United States naval vessels including the USS Ronald Reagan 
        battle group; and
Whereas President Barack Obama affirmed United States support and assistance to 
        the people of Japan by offering his condolences and declared that ``the 
        United States stands ready to help the Japanese people in this time of 
        great trial'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) mourns with the people of Japan and all the countries 
        affected for the horrific loss of life caused by the tragic 
        earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011;
            (2) expresses its deepest condolences and sympathy to the 
        families of the victims of this tragedy;
            (3) applauds the prompt commitments of support and 
        humanitarian efforts already underway by the international 
        community, relief agencies, and private citizens;
            (4) reaffirms the longstanding friendship shared between 
        the United States and Japan;
            (5) pledges its full support and solidarity with the people 
        of Japan and all others affected by this tragedy as they 
        struggle to rebuild their lives in the wake of this disaster; 
        and
            (6) urges the United States Government to continue to 
        provide assistance to Japan and damaged United States 
        communities during their recovery and reconstruction efforts.
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