Mourns with the people of Japan and all the countries affected for the horrific loss of life caused by the earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011.
Expresses deepest condolences to the victims' families.
Applauds the commitments of support and humanitarian efforts by the international community, relief agencies, and private citizens.
Reaffirms the longstanding friendship between the United States and Japan.
Pledges full support and solidarity with the people of Japan and all others affected by this tragedy as they struggle to rebuild their lives.
Urges the U.S. government to continue to provide assistance to Japan and damaged U.S. communities during their recovery and reconstruction efforts.
[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 172 Introduced in House (IH)]
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 172
Expressing heartfelt condolences and support for assistance to the
people of Japan and all those affected in the aftermath of the deadly
earthquake and tsunamis of March 11, 2011.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 15, 2011
Mr. Honda (for himself, Mr. Manzullo, Ms. Hanabusa, Mr. Faleomavaega,
Ms. DeGette, Mrs. Davis of California, Ms. Hirono, Ms. McCollum, Mr.
Grijalva, Ms. Richardson, Mr. Rush, Ms. Moore, Mr. David Scott of
Georgia, Ms. Bass of California, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Hastings of Florida,
Ms. Chu, Mr. McNerney, Mr. Thompson of California, Ms. Lee of
California, Ms. Matsui, Mr. Sablan, Ms. Bordallo, Mr. Wu, Mr. Ellison,
Mr. Cicilline, Mr. McDermott, Ms. Zoe Lofgren of California, Mr.
Pierluisi, Mr. George Miller of California, Mr. Larsen of Washington,
Mr. Deutch, Mr. McIntyre, Mr. Levin, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Neal, Mr.
Pascrell, Mr. Berman, Ms. Woolsey, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas,
and Mr. Scott of Virginia) submitted the following resolution; which
was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing heartfelt condolences and support for assistance to the
people of Japan and all those affected in the aftermath of the deadly
earthquake and tsunamis of March 11, 2011.
Whereas on March 11, 2011, an estimated 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the
northeast coast of Japan, approximately 80 miles from the coastal city
of Sendai;
Whereas the massive earthquake was the most powerful on record to hit Japan and
the fourth strongest in the world since 1900, according to the U.S.
Geological Survey;
Whereas the earthquake has been followed by more than 200 aftershocks, some
reaching magnitudes above 6.0 and triggering additional tsunami
warnings;
Whereas the massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake produced a major tsunami nearly 30
feet in height which surged several miles inland in Japan;
Whereas the tsunami traveled across the Pacific Ocean at an approximate speed of
500 miles per hour, prompting warnings and alerts for over 50 countries
and territories throughout the Pacific Ocean, including the United
States and her territories;
Whereas the tsunami's impact on the United States included two casualties,
forced evacuations, and significant property damage initially reported
in Kealakekua, Maalaea Harbor, and Kahului in Hawaii, Crescent City,
Fort Bragg, and Santa Cruz harbors in California, and the port of
Brookings-Harbor in Oregon;
Whereas by March 14, 2011, states of emergency were declared for Hawaii and
California's Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz counties
with others to possibly follow;
Whereas videos and aerial images taken immediately following the tsunami's
impact on Japan show flooded towns and farmland, collapsed buildings and
homes, raging fires, and hundreds of automobiles, trains, and boats
swept away;
Whereas four nuclear power plants in Fukushima Prefecture were immediately
shutdown due to safety concerns about damage sustained and prompted the
evacuation of thousands of local residents;
Whereas by March 14, 2011, states of emergency continue at the Fukushima Daiichi
and Fukushima Daini nuclear power plants due to multiple explosions,
threats of leaking radiation, and possible nuclear meltdown;
Whereas after the earthquake and tsunami impact, nearly half a million people in
Japan were displaced and millions more were left without power;
Whereas by March 14, 2011, the National Police Agency of Japan reported the
number of people affected at 1,897 casualties, 1,885 injured, and 3,002
missing;
Whereas the police chief of Miyagi Prefecture, prefecture nearest to the
epicenter of the earthquake, predicted that the casualties could be over
10,000 in that area alone;
Whereas the full extent of the tremendous loss of life and destruction of
property will not be known for some time;
Whereas Japan Prime Minister Naoto Kan addressed the people of Japan and said
that ``this is the biggest crisis we have faced in our 65-year post war
history'';
Whereas the people of Japan have demonstrated steadfast courage, selflessness,
resilience, and compassion during this tragedy;
Whereas international groups and private citizens have quickly and
compassionately rallied humanitarian assistance and donations for the
people of Japan;
Whereas over 70 nations have offered relief assistance and many have sent
disaster response teams to Japan, including a search and rescue team
from New Zealand, which was devastated by an earthquake on February 22,
2011;
Whereas the United States helped to rebuild Japan following World War II,
fostering an enduring friendship between the two peoples;
Whereas the friendship between the United States and Japan is based upon shared
democratic ideals, strong economic ties, and a mutual security
partnership;
Whereas the United States rapidly responded to the earthquake by sending to
Japan two United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
urban search and rescue teams, a USAID Disaster Assistance Response
Team, and United States naval vessels including the USS Ronald Reagan
battle group; and
Whereas President Barack Obama affirmed United States support and assistance to
the people of Japan by offering his condolences and declared that ``the
United States stands ready to help the Japanese people in this time of
great trial'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) mourns with the people of Japan and all the countries
affected for the horrific loss of life caused by the tragic
earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011;
(2) expresses its deepest condolences and sympathy to the
families of the victims of this tragedy;
(3) applauds the prompt commitments of support and
humanitarian efforts already underway by the international
community, relief agencies, and private citizens;
(4) reaffirms the longstanding friendship shared between
the United States and Japan;
(5) pledges its full support and solidarity with the people
of Japan and all others affected by this tragedy as they
struggle to rebuild their lives in the wake of this disaster;
and
(6) urges the United States Government to continue to
provide assistance to Japan and damaged United States
communities during their recovery and reconstruction efforts.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
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