[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 148 (Tuesday, October 2, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12441-S12442]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 341--CONCERNING THE RECENT FOREST FIRES IN GREECE

  Ms. SNOWE (for herself and Mr. Menendez) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 341

       Whereas more than 3,000 forest fires have been recorded in 
     Greece since June 2007;
       Whereas over a 10-day period, an estimated 4,000 people saw 
     their homes destroyed by the wildfires, which razed dozens of 
     villages, destroyed livestock and charred an estimated 
     469,000 acres of mostly forest and farmland;
       Whereas dozens of Greek families have lost their loved ones 
     to the fires;
       Whereas thousands of Greeks have been left homeless and 
     hundreds of thousands of acres of pristine forest have been 
     destroyed;
       Whereas hundreds of thousands of mature olive trees, 
     vineyards and thousands of animals perished in the flames;
       Whereas damage to the Greek economy is estimated at between 
     $1,600,000,000 and $5,400,000,000;
       Whereas the United States and Greece have stood side by 
     side in confronting world challenges throughout the 20th 
     century, and will stand together in confronting this new 
     challenge; and
       Whereas the United States, through its government, its 
     people and its Greek-American community, has already extended 
     significant support to the people of Greece during this 
     difficult time: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) extends its condolences and sympathy to the Government 
     and the people of Greece for the grave loss of life and vast 
     destruction caused by the devastating fires raging through 
     Greece;
       (2) vows its full support and solidarity to a close friend, 
     a strategic partner, and a longstanding ally in this painful 
     and difficult hour;
       (3) fully supports the Administration's initiatives to 
     provide assistance and relief to the people of Greece, 
     including its pledge of $1,500,000 in aid as well as expert 
     and technical assistance;
       (4) encourages public institutions, specialized agencies, 
     as well as private citizens, to offer their resources; and
       (5) expresses confidence that Greece and its people will 
     succeed in overcoming the hardships incurred through this 
     tragedy.

  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a resolution with 
my friend and colleague Senator Menendez concerning the devastating 
series of forest fires which ravaged much of Greece, especially in the 
Peloponnese, this past summer.
  Beginning in June, over 3,000 forest fires raged across the cradle of 
Democracy. Tragically, 9 people were killed in blazes in June and July, 
and 68 people lost their lives in the especially destructive fires 
between August 24 and September 4. The Greek economy ministry initially 
estimated that the fires caused 1.6 billion euros, or $2.2 billion of 
damage. Subsequent assessments have placed that figure as high as $5.4 
billion.
  I am proud that, more than offering its sympathy, the U.S. has also 
offered its help to the brave people and government of Greece. 
According to the State Department, the U.S. Government has thus far 
contributed nearly $2 million in aid to Greece in response to the 
fires. The bulk of this aid was provided in a ``wildfire assistance 
package'' consisting of the deployment of a technical assistance team 
which arrived in Greece on September 1 representing the disciplines of: 
fire management, fire investigation, emergency management systems, burn 
area emergency rehabilitation, and ecosystem and watershed restoration. 
Additionally, the U.S. Government provided 3,000 complete fire suits 
for the national fire brigade.
  Americans have also stepped up to give privately to the victims of 
these terrible fires as well. Charities organized by Greek-American 
organizations and the Orthodox Church in the U.S. have already raised 
millions to aid the people and government of Greece in rebuilding and 
mitigating the economic loss resulting from the fires.
  It is essential for the Senate to both recognize and pledge its 
support for

[[Page S12442]]

these efforts, as the connection between the U.S. Congress and the 
Greek people is not limited to the Greek Americans who have served as 
members, or the foreign policy issues debated in its halls. Rather, the 
very inspiration for the Congress as a legislative body are the 
democratic chambers of ancient Greece.
  More recently, the U.S. and Greece stood resolutely by one another in 
confronting the political and economic challenges of the 20th century, 
and are close partners in combating terror in these opening years of 
the 21st century. It is imperative that we continue to stand together 
in confronting this new challenge.
  On September 5, the House of Representatives passed a similar 
resolution to the one Senator Menendez and I have introduced today. 
These resolutions reflect that the myriad ties between our two 
countries, be they cultural, economic or geopolitical, comprise a bond 
that can and should only strengthen in the wake of this devastating 
tragedy. I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting the people and 
government of Greece at this critical moment.

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