[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 650 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 650

        Recognizing the 1-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 25, 2018

   Mr. Cruz (for himself, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Cassidy, and Mr. Kennedy) 
 submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
        Recognizing the 1-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey.

Whereas, on August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey reached the shores of the United 
        States and wreaked havoc on the States of Texas and Louisiana;
Whereas, because of Hurricane Harvey, the President issued a major disaster 
        declaration with respect to Texas on August 25, 2017, and with respect 
        to Louisiana on August 28, 2017;
Whereas Hurricane Harvey was directly responsible for the deaths of not less 
        than 68 individuals in Texas;
Whereas, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the 
        estimate of the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey is $125,000,000,000;
Whereas, according to the National Hurricane Center, during Hurricane Harvey--

    (1) Texas experienced as much as 60.58 inches of rain;

    (2) Louisiana experienced as much as 23.71 inches of rain;

    (3) more than 300,000 structures and as many as 500,000 cars flooded in 
southeastern Texas alone;

    (4) an estimated 336,000 customers lost power during Hurricane Harvey 
in Texas and Louisiana; and

    (5) an estimated 40,000 flood survivors were evacuated to, or took 
refuge in, shelters across Texas or Louisiana;

Whereas, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as a result of 
        Hurricane Harvey--

    (1) 41,5000 square miles of land mass in Texas were impacted;

    (2) more than 100,000 search and rescue missions were conducted across 
Texas by Federal, State, and local partners;

    (3) 12,000,000 cubic yards of storm debris were removed in Texas;

    (4) more than 200,000 single-family homes were flooded across the State 
of Texas, many of which were not in high-risk areas;

    (5) 294 shelters were opened in Texas, holding up to 42,399 survivors; 
and

    (6) approximately 82 volunteer organizations with a total of 91,391 
volunteers operated in Texas to provide assistance in response to the 
storm;

Whereas the Gulf Coast of Texas suffered sweeping economic losses due to 
        closures of businesses and ports and interruptions in oil and gas 
        production, trade, and tourism caused by Hurricane Harvey;
Whereas thousands of businesses were damaged due to Hurricane Harvey, which 
        caused some businesses to close for a period of time and other 
        businesses to close indefinitely;
Whereas Hurricane Harvey caused an estimated $200,000,000 in crop and cattle 
        loss in Texas;
Whereas Hurricane Harvey resulted in the closure of countless schools due to 
        flooding, power outages, and dangerous conditions;
Whereas school closures caused by Hurricane Harvey disrupted the academic school 
        year for thousands of students and forced teachers to relocate 
        classrooms to less favorable learning environments;
Whereas doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel worked expeditiously to 
        provide care and ensure that patients were safe under extreme 
        circumstances;
Whereas volunteer organizations and charities continue to assist survivors of 
        Hurricane Harvey with food, water, and shelter;
Whereas thousands of volunteers and Federal, State, and local government 
        employees from across the United States continue to assist with long-
        term recovery needs and efforts; and
Whereas significant challenges remain in Texas and Louisiana as those States 
        work to recover, rebuild, and prepare for potential future disasters: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the 1-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey, 
        which reached the shores of the United States on August 25, 
        2017;
            (2) expresses condolences to the victims of Hurricane 
        Harvey;
            (3) commends the resiliency and courage of the people of 
        Texas and Louisiana;
            (4) applauds the work and commitment of Federal, State, and 
        local partners, law enforcement officers, active duty members 
        of the Armed Forces, members of the National Guard and 
        Reserves, first responders, and brave citizens who went into 
        harm's way to save countless lives in the aftermath of 
        Hurricane Harvey and who have provided support during the past 
        year; and
            (5) reaffirms the commitment of the Senate to stand by the 
        people of Texas and Louisiana and to provide necessary 
        resources as the people of Texas and Louisiana rebuild their 
        communities.
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