[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 185 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 185

  Supporting the goals and ideals of National Tsunami Awareness Week.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 29, 2011

 Mr. Thompson of California submitted the following resolution; which 
    was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Supporting the goals and ideals of National Tsunami Awareness Week.

Whereas a tsunami is a series of ocean or sea waves caused by a sudden, large 
        displacement of water most often caused by earthquakes, but also by 
        landslides, volcanic eruptions, and comet or meteorite impacts in the 
        ocean;
Whereas a tsunami is like a fast rising flood tide, storm surge, or an advancing 
        wall of water and strikes with devastating force;
Whereas a tsunami will continue for many hours;
Whereas the first wave is often not the largest nor the most dangerous, and 
        surges may arrive 24 hours or more after the initial wave;
Whereas all U.S. ocean coasts can be impacted by tsunamis, though based on 
        proximity to tsunami sources and sea floor configurations, some areas 
        are at much greater risk than others;
Whereas destructive and deadly tsunamis have struck Hawaii, Alaska, California, 
        Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin 
        Islands within the last 150 years;
Whereas 7,000,000 people currently live in U.S. coastal communities at risk from 
        a destructive tsunami;
Whereas homes, businesses, public buildings, and infrastructure may be damaged 
        by tsunami surges and strong currents during a tsunami;
Whereas damage from a destructive tsunami is usually substantial as debris and 
        tsunami surges can wash away homes, roads, and bridges in areas where 
        the tsunami floods;
Whereas the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (or NOAA) National 
        Weather Service operates two tsunami warning centers, in Palmer, Alaska, 
        and Ewa Beach, Hawaii, which are staffed 24/7, and issue tsunami alerts 
        (warnings, advisories, watches, and information statements) as early as 
        two minutes after an earthquake;
Whereas upon receipt of tsunami alerts, State and local emergency management 
        agencies determine the appropriate response, including whether to clear 
        the beaches, sound sirens, or evacuate people;
Whereas experts at NOAA's Tsunami Warning Centers and the National Weather 
        Service agree that it is critical for all people to know if they live or 
        are visiting an area at-risk to tsunamis to determine the tsunami 
        history and flooding of the area, know tsunami inundation zones, and to 
        develop a written family disaster plan based on this knowledge;
Whereas the Tsunami Warning Centers recommend that people located in areas at-
        risk for tsunamis prepare a personal evacuation plan that identifies 
        ahead of time evacuation routes and assembly areas and a local road map;
Whereas the Tsunami Warning Centers recommend that people in areas at-risk for 
        tsunamis prepare a portable disaster supply kit before a tsunami strikes 
        that includes a first aid kit with essential medications, food, and at 
        least 3 gallons of water per person per day for up to 3 to 7 days, 
        protective clothing, rain gear, bedding or sleeping bags, a battery-
        powered radio, a flashlight, extra batteries, and special items for 
        infant, elderly, or disabled family members;
Whereas the Tsunami Warning Centers recommend that citizens know that a 
        ``tsunami warning'' means a tsunami with the potential to generate 
        widespread inundation is imminent or expected for the warned area, and 
        people should move up to higher ground or inland or to a designated 
        tsunami evacuation shelter and stay there, listen to local officials, 
        and be aware the first wave may not be the last or largest wave during 
        the tsunami;
Whereas the Tsunami Warning Centers recommend that citizens know that a 
        ``tsunami advisory'' means a tsunami with the potential to generate 
        strong currents or waves dangerous to those in or very near the water is 
        imminent or expected for the advised area, people should move out of 
        beach areas, marinas, and harbors, stay away from beach areas, marinas, 
        and harbors until local officials say it's safe to return to the area 
        under an advisory, and the threat may continue for several hours after 
        the first wave's initial arrival;
Whereas NOAA warns that the warning signs of a tsunami, include a strong 
        earthquake, or one that persists for 20 seconds or longer, the ocean 
        withdraws or rises rapidly, a loud, roaring sound (like an airplane or a 
        train) coming from the ocean, and tsunami warnings broadcast over 
        television and radio, by beach lifeguards, community sirens, text 
        message alerts, National Weather Service Tsunami Warning Center Web 
        sites and on NOAA Weather Radio All Hazard;
Whereas if you see these warning signs, NOAA advises you of what to do, 
        including--

    (1) keep calm;

    (2) immediately move to your local tsunami shelter using defined 
tsunami evacuation routes;

    (3) move to higher ground that is at least 100 feet in elevation, a 
mile inland, or to the highest floor of a sturdy building and stay there if 
there are no evacuation routes defined;

    (4) do not move from a safe location;

    (5) move on foot when possible, do not drive, keep roads clear for 
emergency vehicles;

    (6) stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or news broadcasts for changes in 
tsunami alerts; and

    (7) stay away from the coast and low-lying areas until local officials 
say it's safe to return;

Whereas the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides more 
        detailed information about tsunamis and tsunami preparedness via its Web 
        site at http://www.tsunamiready.noaa.gov/;
Whereas awareness of natural tsunami warning signs saves lives in areas close to 
        the tsunami source; and
Whereas National Tsunami Awareness Week will be the week of March 20, 2011, 
        through March 26, 2011: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Tsunami 
        Awareness Week;
            (2) encourages the staff of the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration, especially the National Weather 
        Service and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and the West 
        Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center, and other appropriate 
        Federal agencies, to continue their work of educating people in 
        the United States about tsunami preparedness;
            (3) endorses the efforts of the National Tsunami Hazard 
        Mitigation Program (http://nthmp.tsunami.gov), a coordinated 
        national effort of Federal, State and local entities, to assess 
        tsunami threats, prepare community response, issue timely and 
        effective warnings, and mitigate damage; and
            (4) urges the people of the United States to recognize such 
        a week as an opportunity to learn more about the work of the 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in warning for 
        and mitigating the impact of tsunamis and educating citizens 
        about the potential risks of these natural disasters.
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