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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 579 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 579

 Designating the week beginning May 26, 2008, as ``National Hurricane 
                          Preparedness Week''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 22, 2008

 Mr. Vitter (for himself, Mr. Shelby, Mr. Martinez, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. 
 Sessions, Mr. DeMint, Mr. Burr, and Mr. Nelson of Florida) submitted 
      the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Designating the week beginning May 26, 2008, as ``National Hurricane 
                          Preparedness Week''.

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.
                                 <all>
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