[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10505]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  NATIONAL HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 579.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 579) designating the week beginning 
     May 26, 2008, as ``National Hurricane Preparedness Week.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider 
be laid on the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 579) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 579

       Whereas, as hurricane season approaches, National Hurricane 
     Preparedness Week provides an opportunity to raise awareness 
     of steps that can be taken to help protect citizens, their 
     communities, and property;
       Whereas the official 2008 Atlantic hurricane season occurs 
     in the period beginning June 1, 2008, and ending November 30, 
     2008;
       Whereas hurricanes are among the most powerful forces of 
     nature, causing destructive winds, tornadoes, floods, and 
     storm surges that can result in numerous fatalities and cost 
     billions of dollars in damage;
       Whereas, in 2005, a record-setting Atlantic hurricane 
     season caused 28 storms, including 15 hurricanes, of which 7 
     were major hurricanes, including Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, 
     and Wilma;
       Whereas, for 2008, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration announced that the outlook for the hurricane 
     season was near to above normal, with a 60 to 70 percent 
     chance of 12 to 16 named storms, including 6 to 9 hurricanes 
     and 2 to 5 major hurricanes;
       Whereas the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
     reports that over 50 percent of the population of the United 
     States lives in coastal counties that are vulnerable to the 
     dangers of hurricanes;
       Whereas, because the impact from hurricanes extends far 
     beyond coastal areas, it is vital for individuals in 
     hurricane-prone areas to prepare in advance of the hurricane 
     season;
       Whereas cooperation between individuals and Federal, State, 
     and local officials can help increase preparedness, save 
     lives, reduce the impact of each hurricane, and provide a 
     more effective response to those storms;
       Whereas the National Hurricane Center within the National 
     Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends that each 
     at-risk family in the United States develop a family disaster 
     plan, create a disaster supply kit, secure their house, and 
     stay aware of current weather situations to improve 
     preparedness and help save lives, and
       Whereas the designation of the week beginning May 26, 2008, 
     as ``National Hurricane Preparedness Week'' will help raise 
     the awareness of the people of the United States to assist 
     them in preparing for the upcoming hurricane season: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week beginning May 26, 2008, as 
     ``National Hurricane Preparedness Week'';
       (2) encourages the people of the United States--
       (A) to be prepared for the upcoming hurricane season; and
       (B) to promote awareness of the dangers of hurricanes to 
     help save lives and protect communities; and
       (3) recognizes--
       (A) the threats posed by hurricanes; and
       (B) the need for the people of the United States to learn 
     more about preparedness so that they may minimize the impacts 
     of, and provide a more effective response to, hurricanes.

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