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




   SENATE RESOLUTION 652--REMEMBERING THE 1-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE 
                 LANDFALL OF HURRICANE IRMA IN FLORIDA

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

                              S. Res. 652

       Whereas, on September 10, 2017, Hurricane Irma reached the 
     shores of Florida and caused significant devastation across 
     the State;
       Whereas, due to Hurricane Irma, the President issued a 
     major disaster declaration with respect to Florida on 
     September 10, 2017;
       Whereas Hurricane Irma contributed to the confirmed deaths 
     of 84 individuals in Florida;
       Whereas, as a result of Hurricane Irma--
       (1) nearly 13,000,000 people in Florida were left without 
     electrical power;
       (2) an estimated 90 percent of the homes in the Florida 
     Keys were damaged or destroyed;
       (3) the citrus industry of Florida suffered significant 
     crop and income losses, with some growers experiencing crop 
     losses of 90 percent or more;
       (4) the maritime culture of Florida has been severely 
     impacted, including--
          (A) the disruption of commercial fishing, trapping, and 
     aquaculture;
          (B) the loss of recreational fishing opportunities for 
     residents and tourists;
          (C) widespread marine debris limiting safe navigation in 
     waterways and channels; and
          (D) reports of more than 850 displaced or sunken 
     vessels; and
       (5) the total estimated insurance losses in Florida have 
     exceeded $10,000,000,000;
       Whereas, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration, the estimate of the damage caused by 
     Hurricane Irma is $50,000,000,000;
       Whereas the Federal Emergency Management Agency has paid 
     out more than $950,000,000 in flood insurance claims as a 
     result of Hurricane Irma; and
       Whereas significant challenges still exist in Florida to 
     recover, rebuild, and prepare for future storms: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the 1-year anniversary of the landfall of 
     Hurricane Irma in Florida;
       (2) honors victims who lost their lives due to Hurricane 
     Irma;
       (3) commends the resiliency of those still rebuilding their 
     lives after Hurricane Irma;
       (4) commits to ensuring that survivors of Hurricane Irma 
     have adequate resources to continue the recovery process;
       (5) extols the work of Federal, State, and local partners, 
     first responders, and citizens who contributed to saving 
     countless lives in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma; and
       (6) reaffirms the commitment of the Senate to support the 
     people of Florida and provide resources as needed to assist 
     communities striving to return to normalcy after Hurricane 
     Irma.

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