[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 135 (Wednesday, September 23, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S9749]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 282--REMEMBERING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF HURRICANE 
 HUGO, WHICH STRUCK CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA ON SEPTEMBER 21 THROUGH 
                           SEPTEMBER 22, 1989

  Mr. GRAHAM (for himself and Mr. DeMint) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 282

       Whereas September 21 through September 22, 2009, marks the 
     20th anniversary of Hurricane Hugo, one of the most 
     destructive storms in United States history, making landfall 
     in South Carolina;
       Whereas Hurricane Hugo, with a storm surge that rose as 
     high as 20 feet along the South Carolina coast, killed 57 
     people in the mainland United States and 29 people in the 
     United States Caribbean islands and left an estimated 65,000 
     people homeless;
       Whereas Hurricane Hugo resulted in 4 presidential disaster 
     declarations, for the United States Virgin Islands, Puerto 
     Rico, South Carolina, and North Carolina;
       Whereas Hurricane Hugo inflicted an estimated 
     $7,000,000,000 in total damages within the United States and 
     an additional $3,000,000,000 in damages to the United States 
     Virgin Islands;
       Whereas Hurricane Hugo set a record as the most expensive 
     hurricane to strike the United States up until that time;
       Whereas Hurricane Hugo underscored the critical value of 
     early evacuation, bold leadership, and personal and regional 
     preparation and planning;
       Whereas the people of South Carolina rose to meet Hurricane 
     Hugo, working tirelessly to prepare for the storm and to 
     assist their fellow citizens in its aftermath;
       Whereas Hurricane Hugo was a reminder of the kindness and 
     compassion of people, as help came from all parts of the 
     Nation to assist in the areas damaged by Hugo;
       Whereas the magnitude of the Hurricane Hugo disaster and 
     difficulties with the Federal response led to important 
     changes to the preparedness and response efforts of the 
     Federal Government with respect to hurricanes in the United 
     States; and
       Whereas September is National Preparation Month and the 
     President has emphasized the responsibility of all people of 
     the United States to take time to prepare for potential 
     emergencies by preparing an emergency supply kit and a family 
     emergency plan, and to educate themselves about potential 
     disasters: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the historical significance of the 20th 
     anniversary of Hurricane Hugo; and
       (2) remembers the victims of Hurricane Hugo.

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