[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 39 (Friday, March 31, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S2696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE VICTIMS OF HURRICANE RITA IN LOUISIANA AND TEXAS

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 416, which was submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 416) recognizing the victims of 
     Hurricane Rita 6 months after the disaster, commending the 
     resiliency of the people of Southwest Louisiana and Southeast 
     Texas, and committing to stand by them in their relief and 
     rebuilding efforts.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 416) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 416

       Whereas, on September 24, 2005, Hurricane Rita reached 
     landfall causing extensive and significant damage along the 
     Louisiana and extreme southeastern Texas coasts;
       Whereas Hurricane Rita was named the fourth most intense 
     Atlantic Hurricane ever recorded and the most intense 
     tropical cyclone observed in the Gulf of Mexico;
       Whereas the storm caused the loss of power in 700,000 homes 
     in the State of Louisiana;
       Whereas the total damage is estimated at $9,400,000,000, 
     making Hurricane Rita the ninth-costliest storm in the 
     history of the United States;
       Whereas the human suffering continues for thousands of 
     people who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods;
       Whereas immediate humanitarian aid is still critically 
     needed in many of the areas affected by Hurricane Rita;
       Whereas Federal, State, and local first responders, the 
     National Guard, and many ordinary citizens have risked their 
     lives to save others;
       Whereas the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, local 
     religious organizations, and other volunteer organizations 
     and charities continue to supply victims with necessities;
       Whereas the State of Texas and numerous other States have 
     welcomed thousands of victims from Louisiana and continue to 
     provide them with aid and comfort; and
       Whereas thousands of volunteers and government employees 
     from across the Nation have committed time and resources to 
     help with recovery efforts: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) expresses the condolences of the Nation to the victims 
     of Hurricane Rita;
       (2) recognizes the 6-month anniversary of the disaster;
       (3) commends the resiliency and courage of the people of 
     the States of Louisiana and Texas; and
       (4) commits to providing the necessary resources and to 
     standing by the people of the States of Louisiana and Texas 
     in the relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts in the areas 
     impacted by Hurricane Rita.

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