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[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 356 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 356

    Urging a commitment by the United States and the international 
 community to continue relief efforts in response to the earthquake in 
South Asia and to help rebuild critical infrastructure in the affected 
                                 areas.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 27, 2006

Ms. Mikulski (for herself, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Biden, and Mr. 
 Harkin) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
                               agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
    Urging a commitment by the United States and the international 
 community to continue relief efforts in response to the earthquake in 
South Asia and to help rebuild critical infrastructure in the affected 
                                 areas.

Whereas on October 8, 2005, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck Pakistan, India, 
        and Afghanistan;
Whereas the epicenter of the earthquake was located near Muzaffarabad, 
        approximately 60 miles north-northeast of Islamabad, with aftershocks 
        and landslides continuing to affect the area;
Whereas more than 75,000 people have died, including approximately 17,000 
        children, nearly 70,000 people are injured and approximately 3,000,000 
        people are homeless as a result of the earthquake;
Whereas the United States has pledged a total of $510,000,000 in assistance to 
        the affected areas, including $300,000,000 for relief and 
        reconstruction, $110,000,000 to support Department of Defense relief 
        operations, and at least $100,000,000 in anticipated contributions from 
        private entities in the United States;
Whereas, as of January 25, 2006, the total amount of humanitarian assistance 
        provided to Pakistan by the United States Agency for International 
        Development is more than $66,500,000;
Whereas the Department of Defense has deployed approximately 875 members of the 
        Armed Forces and 31 helicopters to aid in the earthquake relief efforts;
Whereas since October 8, 2005, United States helicopters have flown more than 
        3,200 missions, evacuated approximately 3,800 people, and delivered 
        nearly 15,000,000 pounds of supplies;
Whereas the cost of rebuilding the affected areas could be more than 
        $5,000,000,000;
Whereas Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, during her October 12, 2005 visit 
        to Pakistan, said the United States would support the efforts of the 
        Government of Pakistan over the long-term to provide assistance to the 
        victims of the earthquake and rebuild areas of the country devastated by 
        the earthquake;
Whereas the robust humanitarian response of the Government of the United States 
        to the earthquake disaster has made an impact on the Government and 
        people of Pakistan and demonstrates the United States commitment to 
        Pakistan and the well-being of its residents;
Whereas the United States humanitarian mission in Pakistan may impact positively 
        on the way Americans are viewed, especially in areas where the 
        population may oppose United States counterterrrorism policies and where 
        radical groups and affiliates of known terrorist organizations are 
        conducting high-profile relief efforts; and
Whereas the results of a poll taken by the nonprofit organization Terror Free 
        Tomorrow show that, at the end of November 2005, more than 46 percent of 
        Pakistanis had a favorable view of the United States, double the 
        percentage of Pakistanis that held that view in May 2005: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) commends the members of the United States Armed Forces 
        and civilian employees of the Department of State and the 
        United States Agency for International Development for their 
        swift and sustained efforts to assist the victims of the 
        earthquake in South Asia that occurred on October 8, 2005;
            (2) commends the Governments of Pakistan and India for 
        working together to save lives and provide humanitarian relief 
        in the affected areas and encourages them to continue in this 
        spirit of cooperation;
            (3) commends the international community, including 
        nongovernmental organizations, private corporations, and 
        individual citizens, for responding swiftly and generously to 
        the relief and recovery effort;
            (4) urges continued attention by international donors and 
        relief agencies to the needs of vulnerable populations in the 
        stricken areas, particularly the thousands of children who have 
        been left parentless and homeless by the disaster; and
            (5) urges the Government of the United States to take the 
        lead in encouraging the international community to commit to 
        continue relief efforts in response to the earthquake in South 
        Asia and to help rebuild critical infrastructure in the 
        affected areas.
                                 <all>
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