A resolution observing the 20th anniversary of the date on which Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast and recognizing the progress of efforts to rebuild the affected Gulf Coast region.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 344 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 344

 Observing the 20th anniversary of the date on which Hurricane Katrina 
 devastated the Gulf Coast and recognizing the progress of efforts to 
                rebuild the affected Gulf Coast region.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 29, 2025

Mrs. Hyde-Smith (for herself, Mr. Wicker, Mrs. Britt, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. 
Warnock, and Mr. Kennedy) submitted the following resolution; which was 
                        considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Observing the 20th anniversary of the date on which Hurricane Katrina 
 devastated the Gulf Coast and recognizing the progress of efforts to 
                rebuild the affected Gulf Coast region.

Whereas, on August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina, a Category 3 hurricane and 1 of 
        the 5 deadliest hurricanes in United States history, hit the Gulf Coast 
        and caused 1,833 recorded fatalities, including 1,577 in Louisiana, 238 
        in Mississippi, 14 in Florida, 2 in Georgia, and 2 in Alabama, according 
        to the National Hurricane Center;
Whereas Hurricane Katrina inflicted catastrophic damage, estimated at 
        $161,000,000,000 in the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and 
        Florida;
Whereas more than 1,200,000 people were under some type of evacuation order, 
        including New Orleans' first mandatory evacuation in the city's history;
Whereas more than 1,000,000 Gulf Coast residents were displaced, and many remain 
        displaced to this day;
Whereas hundreds of thousands were unemployed as a result of the devastation to 
        businesses;
Whereas more than 200,000 homes and 20,000 businesses from Louisiana to Florida 
        were destroyed;
Whereas an estimated 5,000,000 people were left without power, according to the 
        Federal Emergency Management Agency;
Whereas major highways were destroyed, including the Interstate 10 Twin Span 
        Bridge connecting the cities of New Orleans and Slidell in Louisiana and 
        United States Highway 90 bridges connecting Bay St. Louis to Pass 
        Christian and Biloxi to Ocean Springs in Mississippi;
Whereas the Louisiana Superdome sheltered an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 evacuees 
        and suffered roof leaks and other significant damage from strong winds;
Whereas neighboring cities and States took in thousands of displaced residents 
        and provided medical care and shelter at make-shift hospitals, such as 
        the Katrina Clinic at the Astrodome (formerly named the Reliant Center) 
        in Houston, Texas;
Whereas the United States Coast Guard rescued more than 33,544 people and 
        assisted with the evacuation of 9,409 patients and medical personnel 
        from 11 hospitals;
Whereas the United States Armed Forces orchestrated one of the largest domestic 
        rescue operations in history, with command centers at the Emergency 
        Operations Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; the Louis Armstrong New 
        Orleans International Airport in New Orleans, Louisiana; the Naval Air 
        Station in Pensacola, Florida; and Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, 
        Mississippi;
Whereas the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, America's 
        Second Harvest (now known as Feeding America), Catholic Charities, 
        National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, Southern Baptist 
        Disaster Relief, United Way, and other religious and charitable 
        organizations provided crucial food, water, and hygiene products to 
        victims;
Whereas countless first responders, such as police officers, emergency medical 
        personnel, and firefighters, from across the United States worked around 
        the clock to provide care for and to protect the safety of residents 
        from the affected communities;
Whereas those affected have shown great resilience and strength to rebuild and 
        restore their communities;
Whereas the resident population of the Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, Mississippi 
        metropolitan statistical area was 421,916 in March 2024, an 87 percent 
        increase over its lowest point of 225,681 in 2006;
Whereas the number of tourists who visited New Orleans was 17,500,000 in 2022, 
        up from 3,700,000 tourists in 2006; and
Whereas, although significant progress has been made in the Gulf Coast region, 
        there is still more work to be done to address the challenges still 
        attributable to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) expresses its support to the victims of Hurricane 
        Katrina;
            (2) commends the courageous efforts of those who assisted 
        in the recovery progress;
            (3) recognizes the contributions of communities in 
        Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia to the 
        United States; and
            (4) reaffirms its commitment to rebuild, renew, and restore 
        the Gulf Coast region.
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