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[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 498 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 498

 Designating the week beginning May 21, 2006, as ``National Hurricane 
                          Preparedness Week''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 26, 2006

   Mr. Vitter (for himself, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Shelby, and Mr. Lott) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                            on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Designating the week beginning May 21, 2006, as ``National Hurricane 
                          Preparedness Week''.

Whereas the President has proclaimed that the week beginning May 21, 2006, shall 
        be known as ``National Hurricane Preparedness Week'', and has called on 
        government agencies, private organizations, schools, media, and 
        residents in the coastal areas of the United States to share information 
        about hurricane preparedness and response to help save lives and protect 
        communities;
Whereas the official Atlantic hurricane season occurs from a period beginning 
        June 1, 2006, and ending November 30, 2006;
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 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted that 
        between 13 to 16 storms will occur during the 2006 Atlantic hurricane 
        season, with between 8 to 10 storms becoming hurricanes, of which 
        between 4 to 6 storms could become major hurricanes of Category 3 
        strength or higher;
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 well 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 impacts of each 
        hurricane, and provide a more effective response to those storms;
Whereas the National Hurricane Center within the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce recommends that 
        each at-risk family of the United States develop a family disaster plan, 
        create a disaster supply kit, and stay aware of current weather 
        situations; and
Whereas the designation of the week beginning May 21, 2006, as ``National 
        Hurricane Preparedness Week'' will help raise the awareness of the 
        individuals of the United States to assist them in preparing for the 
        upcoming hurricane season: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the goals of the President in proclaiming the 
        week beginning May 21, 2006, 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 individuals 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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