IA

103D CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. J. RES. 325

Designating the week beginning April 3, 1994, as ‘‘National Earthquake

Awareness Week’’.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

FEBRUARY 11, 1994

Mr. DIXON (for himself, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. BROWN of California, Mr. FARR

of California, Mr. FAZIO, Mr. GALLEGLY, Mr. LEWIS of California, Mr.

MCKEON, Mr. MOORHEAD, Ms. SCHENK, Mr. WAXMAN, Mr. MCDADE,

Mr. HOYER, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. KASICH, Mr. WELDON, Mr. CLYBURN, Mr.

ABERCROMBIE, and Ms. FURSE) introduced the following joint resolution;

which was referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service

JOINT RESOLUTION

Designating the week beginning April 3, 1994, as ‘‘National

Earthquake Awareness Week’’.

Whereas the threat of earthquakes is a national problem;

Whereas earthquakes occur in the eastern and midwestern, as

well as western, regions of the Nation, and resulted in

over 100 deaths and caused over $36.4 billion in property

damage in the United States from 1980 to 1994;

Whereas several earthquakes occurred in Maryland in 1993,

and some researchers believe that there is a 95 percent
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probability that an earthquake registering 6 or greater on

the Richter scale will occur in the eastern 2⁄3 of the

United States before the year 2000 and a nearly 100 percent probability that such an earthquake will occur by the

year 2010;

Whereas earthquakes have occurred in Alaska, Illinois, Missouri, Montana, Pennsylvania, Oregon, South Carolina,

and Utah, registering from 2.5 to 6.0 on the Richter

scale and disrupting lives;

Whereas earthquake activity in California is increasing, as

evidenced by scientific data, and damaging earthquakes

occur in California an average of every 2 years;

Whereas the Los Angeles-Northridge earthquake of 1994

killed 57 people, injured more than 6,547, displaced over

14,900 individuals, caused 10,960 homes and apartments

to be classified as uninhabitable, caused an estimated

$30 billion in damage, and was the costliest disaster in

California history;

Whereas the Loma Prieta, California, earthquake of 1989

killed 63 people, injured 3,757 people, and caused damage costing $6 billion;

Whereas, in the 1980’s, the world had an annual average of

10 earthquakes measuring 7 or higher on the Richter

scale;

Whereas a new era in the recognition of natural disasters and

humankind’s ability to reduce the destructive effects of

such disasters has begun;

Whereas the United Nations General Assembly, in Resolution

42/169 (1987), has declared the decade beginning in

1990 to be the International Decade for Natural Disaster

Reduction;
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Whereas the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly was designed to promote a cooperative international

program to apply existing technology and advance existing knowledge in order to reduce the effects of natural

disasters;

Whereas education and general awareness are the core of any

disaster mitigation program and are necessary to reduce

the damaging impact that earthquakes may have on individuals and families;

Whereas earthquake preparedness can substantially reduce

the incidence of death, injury, and property damage resulting from a major earthquake, if actions to prepare for

earthquakes are immediately taken; and

Whereas studies show that the Nation is increasingly aware

of the threat of a major earthquake, yet few Americans

are acting to prepare homes, businesses, and schools for

a major earthquake: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 That the week beginning April 3, 1994, is designated as

4 ‘‘National Earthquake Awareness Week’’, and the Presi5 dent is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation

6 calling on public officials and the people of the United

7 States to observe the week with appropriate programs and

8 activities.

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