[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.
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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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