[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 30 (Thursday, March 4, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S1183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 436--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY 
                THE NATURAL DISASTERS ON MADEIRA ISLAND

  Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Brown of 
Massachusetts) submitted the following resolution; which was considered 
and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 436

       Whereas on February 20, 2010, a powerful storm hit Madeira 
     Island, the largest of the islands that comprise the Madeira 
     Autonomous Region of Portugal, resulting in a series of 
     devastating flash floods and mudslides;
       Whereas the storm caused boulders, trees, and earth to be 
     hurled against buildings, carried away vehicles, and washed 
     away roads and bridges on the south side of Madeira Island, 
     an area that includes Funchal, the capital of the Madeira 
     Autonomous Region;
       Whereas 42 people have lost their lives, 151 people have 
     received treatment for injuries at the main hospital in 
     Funchal, and hundreds of people have been displaced;
       Whereas the storm destroyed a large portion of the water 
     and communication infrastructure on Madeira Island;
       Whereas Jose Socrates, the Prime Minister of Portugal, has 
     promised ``all necessary aid'' to Madeira, and Alberto Joao 
     Goncalves Jardim, the President of the Madeira Autonomous 
     Region, has consulted with European Commission President Jose 
     Manuel Barroso to seek further assistance;
       Whereas a Portuguese Navy frigate has dispatched troops to 
     Madeira Island, with Portuguese divers and a medical team 
     also arriving to offer emergency assistance;
       Whereas the Government of Portugal has announced 3 days of 
     national mourning for those who lost their lives in this 
     disaster;
       Whereas the United States is providing assistance through 
     the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance of the United 
     States Agency for International Development;
       Whereas there are approximately 400 citizens of the United 
     States on Madeira Island, with United States officials 
     continually working to ensure their safety and well-being; 
     and
       Whereas a community of approximately 1,500,000 Portuguese-
     Americans, strongly represented in the States of Rhode Island 
     and Massachusetts, maintain deep and enduring ties with 
     Portugal and Madeira Island: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) mourns the loss of life and expresses its deepest 
     condolences to the families of those killed and injured by 
     floods and mudslides resulting from the storm that hit 
     Madeira Island on February 20, 2010;
       (2) expresses solidarity between the people of the United 
     States and Madeira, recognizing the historical ties between 
     Portuguese-Americans, Portugal, and the Madeira Autonomous 
     Region; and
       (3) applauds the courageous rescue efforts of fire, 
     medical, and military personnel and other volunteers in 
     response to the flooding and mudslides.

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