III
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 588
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 20, 2010
Mr. Wicker (for himself, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Cornyn, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. LeMieux, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Shelby, and Mr. Vitter) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the economic and environmental impacts of the British Petroleum oil spill on the people of the Gulf Coast and their way of life and urging British Petroleum to give all due consideration to offers of assistance, products, or services from the States directly impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Whereas on April 20, 2010, the Mobile Drilling Unit Deepwater Horizon experienced a tragic explosion, resulting in the loss of 11 men;
Whereas the explosion resulted in the sinking of the Mobile Drilling Unit Deepwater Horizon and a discharge of hydrocarbons from the Macondo well;
Whereas since the tragic day of April 20, 2010, a significant amount of oil has flowed into the Gulf of Mexico;
Whereas resources such as fishing, tourism, shipping, and energy exploration in the Gulf of Mexico generally account for over $200,000,000,000 in economic activity each year;
Whereas the release of oil has caused a Federal fishery closure since May 2, 2010, which has encompassed up to 37 percent of the Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone;
Whereas the impact on the Gulf Coast economy has amounted to over $175,000,000 in reported claims to date;
Whereas tourism is down significantly on the Gulf Coast as a result of the oil spill;
Whereas the workforce in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Texas has been negatively impacted as a result of the oil spill; and
Whereas Federal disaster response procurement law recognizes a preference for local firms in the award of contracts for disaster relief activities: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate—
recognizes the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the way of life, economy, and natural resources of the Gulf Coast States;
supports the continued public and private efforts to stop the oil spill, mitigate further damage to our treasured Gulf Coast, and clean up of this environmental disaster; and
urges British Petroleum (BP) to give all due consideration to individuals, businesses, and organizations of the States directly impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill where practicable, as BP considers services or products related to ongoing efforts in the Gulf of Mexico associated with this tragic oil spill.