[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 25, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6308-S6309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 650--RECOGNIZING THE 1-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF HURRICANE 
                                 HARVEY

  Mr. CRUZ (for himself, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Cassidy, and Mr. Kennedy) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 650

       Whereas, on August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey reached the 
     shores of the United States and wreaked havoc on the States 
     of Texas and Louisiana;
       Whereas, because of Hurricane Harvey, the President issued 
     a major disaster declaration with respect to Texas on August 
     25, 2017, and with respect to Louisiana on August 28, 2017;
       Whereas Hurricane Harvey was directly responsible for the 
     deaths of not less than 68 individuals in Texas;
       Whereas, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration, the

[[Page S6309]]

     estimate of the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey is 
     $125,000,000,000;
       Whereas, according to the National Hurricane Center, during 
     Hurricane Harvey--
       (1) Texas experienced as much as 60.58 inches of rain;
       (2) Louisiana experienced as much as 23.71 inches of rain;
       (3) more than 300,000 structures and as many as 500,000 
     cars flooded in southeastern Texas alone;
       (4) an estimated 336,000 customers lost power during 
     Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana; and
       (5) an estimated 40,000 flood survivors were evacuated to, 
     or took refuge in, shelters across Texas or Louisiana;
       Whereas, according to the Federal Emergency Management 
     Agency, as a result of Hurricane Harvey--
       (1) 41,5000 square miles of land mass in Texas were 
     impacted;
       (2) more than 100,000 search and rescue missions were 
     conducted across Texas by Federal, State, and local partners;
       (3) 12,000,000 cubic yards of storm debris were removed in 
     Texas;
       (4) more than 200,000 single-family homes were flooded 
     across the State of Texas, many of which were not in high-
     risk areas;
       (5) 294 shelters were opened in Texas, holding up to 42,399 
     survivors; and
       (6) approximately 82 volunteer organizations with a total 
     of 91,391 volunteers operated in Texas to provide assistance 
     in response to the storm;
       Whereas the Gulf Coast of Texas suffered sweeping economic 
     losses due to closures of businesses and ports and 
     interruptions in oil and gas production, trade, and tourism 
     caused by Hurricane Harvey;
       Whereas thousands of businesses were damaged due to 
     Hurricane Harvey, which caused some businesses to close for a 
     period of time and other businesses to close indefinitely;
       Whereas Hurricane Harvey caused an estimated $200,000,000 
     in crop and cattle loss in Texas;
       Whereas Hurricane Harvey resulted in the closure of 
     countless schools due to flooding, power outages, and 
     dangerous conditions;
       Whereas school closures caused by Hurricane Harvey 
     disrupted the academic school year for thousands of students 
     and forced teachers to relocate classrooms to less favorable 
     learning environments;
       Whereas doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel worked 
     expeditiously to provide care and ensure that patients were 
     safe under extreme circumstances;
       Whereas volunteer organizations and charities continue to 
     assist survivors of Hurricane Harvey with food, water, and 
     shelter;
       Whereas thousands of volunteers and Federal, State, and 
     local government employees from across the United States 
     continue to assist with long-term recovery needs and efforts; 
     and
       Whereas significant challenges remain in Texas and 
     Louisiana as those States work to recover, rebuild, and 
     prepare for potential future disasters: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the 1-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey, 
     which reached the shores of the United States on August 25, 
     2017;
       (2) expresses condolences to the victims of Hurricane 
     Harvey;
       (3) commends the resiliency and courage of the people of 
     Texas and Louisiana;
       (4) applauds the work and commitment of Federal, State, and 
     local partners, law enforcement officers, active duty members 
     of the Armed Forces, members of the National Guard and 
     Reserves, first responders, and brave citizens who went into 
     harm's way to save countless lives in the aftermath of 
     Hurricane Harvey and who have provided support during the 
     past year; and
       (5) reaffirms the commitment of the Senate to stand by the 
     people of Texas and Louisiana and to provide necessary 
     resources as the people of Texas and Louisiana rebuild their 
     communities.

                          ____________________