[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 240 Engrossed in House (EH)]
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 240
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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Supporting the goals and ideals of a national day of prayer and
remembrance for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and encouraging all
Americans to observe that day.
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 240
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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas on August 25, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the southeast tip
of Florida as a Category 1 hurricane;
Whereas Hurricane Katrina moved into the Gulf of Mexico, rapidly intensifying to
a Category 5 hurricane and, on August 29, 2005, made landfall on the
Gulf coast as a Category 4 hurricane with 140 mile-per-hour winds,
devastating communities and towns in Alabama, Mississippi, and
Louisiana;
Whereas the levees protecting the city of New Orleans, Louisiana from Lake
Pontchartrain failed, causing heavy flooding in the city and inflicting
incredible human and material damage;
Whereas Hurricane Katrina caused the evacuation of the city of New Orleans,
marking the first time a major American city has been completely
evacuated;
Whereas the number of individuals killed by Hurricane Katrina is estimated to be
in the hundreds;
Whereas the damage to human life and the fabric of families torn apart by
Hurricane Katrina is inestimable;
Whereas Hurricane Katrina has inflicted enormous damage to homes and businesses
along the Gulf Coast, with damage estimates in the hundreds of billions
of dollars;
Whereas Hurricane Katrina left an estimated five million people without power,
and it may be months before all power is restored;
Whereas the States of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida have received
federal disaster declarations;
Whereas Hurricane Katrina ranks among the worst natural disasters in our
Nation's history;
Whereas years of intense effort will be required to recover from the devastation
caused by Hurricane Katrina and to rebuild the Gulf Coast;
Whereas the American people have an inherent spirit of willpower and strong
resilience;
Whereas the American people have opened their hearts and their homes to the
victims of Hurricane Katrina, sheltering its victims, providing food and
medical assistance, and donating hundreds of millions of dollars to the
relief effort;
Whereas Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco declared August 31, 2005, to be a day
of prayer in the State of Louisiana, and asked that all Louisianans take
time that day to pray for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and their
rescuers; and
Whereas President George W. Bush has proclaimed September 16, 2005, to be a
National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of Hurricane
Katrina: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That Congress supports the goals and ideals of a national day of prayer
and remembrance for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and encourages all
Americans to observe that day.
Passed the House of Representatives September 14, 2005.
Attest:
Clerk.