III 

115TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 650 

Recognizing the 1-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 25, 2018 

Mr. CRUZ (for himself, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. CASSIDY, and Mr. KENNEDY) 

submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the 1-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey. 

Whereas, on August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey reached the 

shores of the United States and wreaked havoc on the 

States of Texas and Louisiana; 

Whereas, because of Hurricane Harvey, the President issued 

a major disaster declaration with respect to Texas on August 25, 2017, and with respect to Louisiana on August 

28, 2017; 

Whereas Hurricane Harvey was directly responsible for the 

deaths of not less than 68 individuals in Texas; 

Whereas, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, the estimate of the damage caused by 

Hurricane Harvey is $125,000,000,000; 

Whereas, according to the National Hurricane Center, during 

Hurricane Harvey— 


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•SRES 650 ATS 

(1) Texas experienced as much as 60.58 inches of 

rain; 

(2) Louisiana experienced as much as 23.71 inches 

of rain; 

(3) more than 300,000 structures and as many as 

500,000 cars flooded in southeastern Texas alone; 

(4) an estimated 336,000 customers lost power during Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana; and 

(5) an estimated 40,000 flood survivors were evacuated to, or took refuge in, shelters across Texas or Louisiana; 

Whereas, according to the Federal Emergency Management 

Agency, as a result of Hurricane Harvey— 

(1) 41,5000 square miles of land mass in Texas 

were impacted; 

(2) more than 100,000 search and rescue missions 

were conducted across Texas by Federal, State, and local 

partners; 

(3) 12,000,000 cubic yards of storm debris were removed in Texas; 

(4) more than 200,000 single-family homes were 

flooded across the State of Texas, many of which were 

not in high-risk areas; 

(5) 294 shelters were opened in Texas, holding up 

to 42,399 survivors; and 

(6) approximately 82 volunteer organizations with a 

total of 91,391 volunteers operated in Texas to provide 

assistance in response to the storm; 

Whereas the Gulf Coast of Texas suffered sweeping economic 

losses due to closures of businesses and ports and interruptions in oil and gas production, trade, and tourism 

caused by Hurricane Harvey; 


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Whereas thousands of businesses were damaged due to Hurricane Harvey, which caused some businesses to close for 

a period of time and other businesses to close indefinitely; 

Whereas Hurricane Harvey caused an estimated 

$200,000,000 in crop and cattle loss in Texas; 

Whereas Hurricane Harvey resulted in the closure of countless schools due to flooding, power outages, and dangerous conditions; 

Whereas school closures caused by Hurricane Harvey disrupted the academic school year for thousands of students and forced teachers to relocate classrooms to less 

favorable learning environments; 

Whereas doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel worked 

expeditiously to provide care and ensure that patients 

were safe under extreme circumstances; 

Whereas volunteer organizations and charities continue to assist survivors of Hurricane Harvey with food, water, and 

shelter; 

Whereas thousands of volunteers and Federal, State, and 

local government employees from across the United 

States continue to assist with long-term recovery needs 

and efforts; and 

Whereas significant challenges remain in Texas and Louisiana as those States work to recover, rebuild, and prepare for potential future disasters: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes the 1-year anniversary of Hurri3 cane Harvey, which reached the shores of the United 

4 States on August 25, 2017; 


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1 (2) expresses condolences to the victims of Hur2 ricane Harvey; 

3 (3) commends the resiliency and courage of the 

4 people of Texas and Louisiana; 

5 (4) applauds the work and commitment of Fed6 eral, State, and local partners, law enforcement offi7 cers, active duty members of the Armed Forces, 

8 members of the National Guard and Reserves, first 

9 responders, and brave citizens who went into harm’s 

10 way to save countless lives in the aftermath of Hur11 ricane Harvey and who have provided support dur12 ing the past year; and 

13 (5) reaffirms the commitment of the Senate to 

14 stand by the people of Texas and Louisiana and to 

15 provide necessary resources as the people of Texas 

16 and Louisiana rebuild their communities. 

Æ 


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