[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 49 (Thursday, March 27, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S1831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 400--RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREAT 
  ALASKA EARTHQUAKE, WHICH STRUCK THE STATE OF ALASKA AT 5:36 P.M. ON 
GOOD FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 1964, HONORING THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE 
    GREAT ALASKA EARTHQUAKE AND ASSOCIATED TSUNAMIS, AND EXPRESSING 
CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH ON EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI PREDICTION AND 
                         MITIGATION STRATEGIES

  Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself, Mrs. Feinstein, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Begich, 
Mr. Schatz, and Mr. Wyden) submitted the following resolution; which 
was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 400

       Whereas on Good Friday, March 27, 1964, the Great Alaska 
     Earthquake struck the State of Alaska;
       Whereas the Great Alaska Earthquake measured 9.2 on the 
     moment magnitude scale, making it the largest recorded 
     earthquake in United States history and the second-largest 
     earthquake ever recorded using modern instruments;
       Whereas the Great Alaska Earthquake was felt as far away as 
     Seattle and was registered by water-level recorders in 47 
     States;
       Whereas the Great Alaska Earthquake spawned tsunamis that 
     devastated communities in Alaska and impacted the States of 
     Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii, as well as Canada 
     and Japan;
       Whereas the Great Alaska Earthquake and associated tsunamis 
     resulted in 131 fatalities, including 4 fatalities in Oregon 
     and 12 fatalities in California, and an estimated 
     $3,750,000,000 in property losses in today's dollars;
       Whereas the wealth of data collected during the Great 
     Alaska Earthquake led to major breakthroughs in the 
     scientific understanding of subduction zone earthquakes and 
     earthquake hazards, resulting in improved earthquake 
     mitigation strategies;
       Whereas the study of the tsunamis associated with the Great 
     Alaska Earthquake resulted in improved tsunami prediction and 
     warning capabilities; and
       Whereas the Great Alaska Earthquake spurred the United 
     States Geological Survey, in cooperation with earthquake-
     impacted States, to install extensive earthquake monitoring 
     networks across the United States and establish the National 
     Center for Earthquake Research: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) mourns the lives lost due to the Great Alaska 
     Earthquake and associated tsunamis that occurred on Good 
     Friday, March 27, 1964;
       (2) recognizes the improved understanding of earthquakes 
     and tsunamis and the scientific and technological 
     advancements that resulted from the study of data collected 
     during the Great Alaska Earthquake;
       (3) commends the efforts of scientists and engineers from 
     the United States Geological Survey, as well as those in 
     Alaska, California, and other earthquake-impacted States, to 
     improve earthquake and tsunami prediction and hazard 
     mitigation strategies and protect the well-being of United 
     States citizens threatened by these hazards;
       (4) supports continued research, education, and outreach 
     about earthquakes and other natural hazards; and
       (5) encourages participation in the Great Alaska ShakeOut 
     earthquake drill scheduled to occur on March 27, 2014.

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