[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 100 (Wednesday, June 30, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H5277-H5278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE OF GUATEMALA, HONDURAS AND EL SALVADOR 
                      AFTER TROPICAL STORM AGATHA

  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1462) expressing support for the people of 
Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador as they persevere through the 
aftermath of Tropical Storm Agatha which swept across Central America 
causing deadly floods and mudslides, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1462

       Whereas, on May 29, 2010, Guatemala, Honduras, and El 
     Salvador experienced devastating floods and mudslides brought 
     on by Tropical Storm Agatha;
       Whereas Tropical Storm Agatha has left 174 dead and 62,827 
     families were directly affected in Guatemala;
       Whereas Tropical Storm Agatha has left 22dead and 7,998 in 
     shelters in Honduras;
       Whereas Tropical Storm Agatha has left 11 dead and 12,000 
     in shelters in El Salvador;
       Whereas over 2,000 Guatemalans were displaced with little 
     forewarning following the eruption of the Pacaya volcano;
       Whereas the combination of Tropical Storm Agatha and the 
     eruption of the Pacaya volcano have devastated Guatemala's 
     landscape leaving behind sinkholes and mudslides across the 
     country;
       Whereas, due to recent droughts, erratic rainfall, high 
     food prices, and a sharp drop in remittances, Guatemala has 
     suffered severe food insecurity that will increase in the 
     wake of Tropical Storm Agatha;
       Whereas Guatemalan officials are estimating that damages 
     will surpass $475,000,000;
       Whereas the loss in the agriculture sector could be close 
     to $18,500,000 in Honduras;
       Whereas 380 schools have been affected in El Salvador;
       Whereas critical infrastructure relating to water and 
     sanitation has been destroyed;
       Whereas the United States has provided relief for the 
     victims of Tropical Storm Agatha by deploying United States 
     Southern Command support helicopters and frigates for 
     assistance with the transport of food, water, and emergency 
     supplies;
       Whereas countries and organizations around the world have 
     contributed millions of dollars in medicines and aid, and 
     humanitarian aid agencies in the United States and around the 
     world are mobilizing to provide much needed assistance to the 
     relief and recovery efforts; and
       Whereas Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador have begun the 
     process of recovering from these natural disasters: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) mourns the loss of life and expresses solidarity with 
     all people affected by Tropical Storm Agatha;

[[Page H5278]]

       (2) commends the brave efforts of the people of Guatemala, 
     Honduras, and El Salvador as they recover from Tropical Storm 
     Agatha;
       (3) recognizes the assistance of the international 
     community during the recovery effort in providing relief to 
     the people of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador; and
       (4) urges the Secretary of State, in coordination with the 
     Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
     Development (USAID), to continue to develop a strategic plan 
     to promote food security and recovery efforts with the goal 
     of mitigating the current and future effects of the recent 
     natural disasters that have devastated Guatemala, Honduras, 
     and El Salvador.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Maffei). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) and the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.

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