[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 18 (Thursday, February 8, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1234-S1235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING SYMPATHY FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE IN 
                                 INDIA

  Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 12, S. Con. Res. 6.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the concurrent 
resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 6) expressing 
     sympathy for the victims of the devastating earthquake that 
     struck India on January 26, 2001, and support for ongoing aid 
     efforts.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
concurrent resolution.
  Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I am proud to cosponsor S. Con. Res. 6. 
This concurrent resolution sends a message of sympathy and support to 
the people of India, who have been struck by one of the worst natural 
disasters to afflict their nation in the half-century since 
Independence.
  The earthquake which devastated the Western Indian state of Gujarat 
killed untold thousands. The magnitude of this tragedy is demonstrated 
by the fact that 30,000 dead is now referred to as an optimistic 
estimate. Other sources, such as the Indian Minister of Defense, have 
suggested a worst-case scenario of 100,000 dead.
  As President Bush noted, a disaster such as this knows no national 
boundaries. The victims have been the people of India, but the burden 
of humanitarian relief rests on the shoulders of the entire world 
community.
  I congratulate the relief workers, from many nations, who have 
stepped up to the challenge. The most important work, of course, has 
been done by the Indians themselves tens of thousands of military and 
civilian personnel who have labored tirelessly to help save the lives 
of those trapped in the wreckage.
  Working alongside them have been search and rescue teams from 
Britain, Switzerland, Germany, Russia and Turkey. They helped locate 
victims with state-of-the-art thermal sensors, and with specially-
trained canine units.
  Following closely after the search and rescue teams have been medical 
units from France, Japan, Israel, Denmark and NGOs like the 
International Federation of the Red Cross and Doctors without Borders. 
These nations and groups have set up field hospitals and shipped in 
medical supplies to tend to the needs of tens of thousands of wounded.
  Many other countries have offered cash donations, food, tents, 
blankets, or other humanitarian assistance. Of these donor countries I 
would like to single out Pakistan for particular commendation: in light 
of recent tensions, and of Pakistan's own losses in the earthquake--at 
least a dozen dead, with a full reckoning not yet made--the shipment of 
relief supplies was an important gesture of peace.

[[Page S1235]]

  The United States, for logistical reasons, has concentrated its 
efforts on providing potable water, shelter, and food to those rendered 
homeless by the quake. USAID has already made several airlifts of vital 
material, and more aid is in the pipeline.
  When a disaster occurs at such a great geographical remove, US assets 
might not always be the first to arrive on the spot. But once the US 
gears up for a challenge, it is equal to any task. The job of the world 
community now is to make sure that the earthquake does not claim more 
victims after the last tremors have ceased.
  The basic human-needs infrastructure of Gujarat has, in many areas, 
been entirely wiped out: hundreds of thousands of people will be 
effected, to one degree or another. In a situation like this, diseases 
like cholera or dysentery--easily preventable, with proper medical and 
nutritional facilities--can spread like wildfire. Simply insuring that 
the dispossessed people have access to food, shelter, and clean water 
can save countless lives.
  We Americans are a compassionate people. But from the stark figures 
of relief provided and pledged, the extent of our compassion may not be 
clear. In the crucial first days following the disaster--when a dozen 
other countries were actively engaged in rescue and medical support--
our financial pledge was one-third that of Great Britain, a million 
dollars lower than that of Germany, and a sum less than than the 
combined pledges of Holland and Italy.
  Our contribution has since risen, and I am told that it will continue 
to rise in the days and weeks to come. I certainly hope that it does. 
And when the time comes to fund the reconstruction of Western India's 
basic infrastructure a task that will require more than $1 billion in 
loans from international financial organizations I hope that we will 
demonstrate the full extent of our country's compassionate nature.
  Today, as India works to save the lives of its citizens and mourns 
the lives of those who could not be saved, our thoughts and prayers are 
with the people of Gujarat. I hope that the United States will 
accelerate its efforts to put these thoughts and prayers into generous, 
concrete action.
  Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the 
concurrent resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 6) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The concurrent resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                             S. Con. Res. 6

       Whereas on the morning of January 26, 2001, a devastating 
     and deadly earthquake shook the state of Gujarat in western 
     India, killing untold tens of thousands of people, injuring 
     countless others, and crippling most of the region;
       Whereas the earthquake of January 26, 2001, has left 
     thousands of buildings in ruin, caused widespread fires, and 
     destroyed infrastructure;
       Whereas the people of India and people of Indian origin 
     have displayed strength, courage, and determination in the 
     aftermath of the earthquake;
       Whereas the people of the United States and India have 
     developed a strong friendship based on mutual interests and 
     respect;
       Whereas India has asked the World Bank for $1,700,000,000 
     in economic assistance to start rebuilding from the 
     earthquake;
       Whereas the United States has offered technical and 
     monetary assistance through the United States Agency for 
     International Development (USAID); and
       Whereas offers of assistance have also come from the 
     Governments of Turkey, Switzerland, Taiwan, Russia, Germany, 
     China, Canada, and others, as well as countless 
     nongovernmental organizations: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) expresses its deepest sympathies to the citizens of the 
     state of Gujarat and to all of India for the tragic losses 
     suffered as a result of the earthquake of January 26, 2001;
       (2) expresses its support for--
       (A) the people of India as they continue their efforts to 
     rebuild their cities and their lives;
       (B) the efforts of the World Bank;
       (C) continuing and substantially increasing the amount of 
     disaster assistance being provided by the United States 
     Agency for International Development (USAID) and other relief 
     agencies; and
       (D) providing future economic assistance in order to help 
     rebuild Gujarat; and
       (3) recognizes and encourages the important assistance that 
     also could be provided by other nations to alleviate the 
     suffering of the people of India.

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