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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 286 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 286

Expressing condolences to the families of the individuals killed during 
unusual storms and floods in the State of Georgia between September 18 
    and September 21, 2009, and expressing gratitude to all of the 
emergency personnel who continue to work with unyielding determination 
               to meet the needs of Georgia's residents.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 24, 2009

  Mr. Isakson (for himself and Mr. Chambliss) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Expressing condolences to the families of the individuals killed during 
unusual storms and floods in the State of Georgia between September 18 
    and September 21, 2009, and expressing gratitude to all of the 
emergency personnel who continue to work with unyielding determination 
               to meet the needs of Georgia's residents.

Whereas beginning on September 18, 2009, the State of Georgia was hit by days of 
        unusually strong storms that resulted in downpours and flooding;
Whereas numerous Georgia rivers and creeks, including the Chattooga and 
        Chattahoochee Rivers and the Chickamauga Creek, swollen by days of rain, 
        overtopped their banks, creating a dangerous and deadly situation for 
        nearby residents;
Whereas the storms and floods took human lives;
Whereas the floodwater destroyed homes, flooded roadways, including major 
        highways, compromised drinking water, severely damaged plumbing systems, 
        and caused significant damage to homes and businesses;
Whereas on September 21, 2009, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue declared a state of 
        emergency in 17 counties, including Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, 
        Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Crawford, DeKalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton, 
        Gwinnett, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens, and Walker Counties;
Whereas the National Weather Service estimated that between 15 and 22 inches of 
        rain fell in the metropolitan Atlanta counties of Gwinnett, Douglas, and 
        Paulding between September 18 and September 21, 2009;
Whereas the rains broke a 130-year-old record at Hartsfield-Jackson 
        International Airport;
Whereas hundreds of Georgians were evacuated from their homes, and more than 300 
        people sought refuge in shelters;
Whereas Governor Perdue estimated that more than 1,000 residences were seriously 
        flooded;
Whereas the weather closed schools in several counties;
Whereas as many as tens of thousands of people were without power in 
        metropolitan Atlanta;
Whereas search and rescue operations functioned in several counties where the 
        water continued to rise;
Whereas the Georgia Emergency Management Agency coordinated with local emergency 
        personnel and worked tirelessly to protect human lives and rescue those 
        threatened by the floods;
Whereas the Georgia Emergency Management Agency facilitated requests for 
        assistance from people and first responders all across the State of 
        Georgia;
Whereas the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and other first responders acted 
        valiantly in life-safety response operations, including delivering 
        sandbags and rescuing people trapped in their cars and homes from the 
        floodwater;
Whereas the Federal Emergency Management Agency activated its national and 
        regional response coordination centers and worked closely with the State 
        of Georgia to monitor the response efforts and identify and respond to 
        any immediate emergency needs for the people and communities of the 
        State that were impacted by the devastating floods; and
Whereas volunteers gave their time to help ensure that evacuees were sheltered, 
        clothed, fed, and comforted through this traumatic event: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) offers its deepest sympathy and condolences to the 
        families of those who lost their lives in the flooding in the 
        State of Georgia;
            (2) expresses its condolences to the families who lost 
        their homes and other property in the floods;
            (3) expresses gratitude and appreciation to the people of 
        the State of Georgia and the surrounding States, who worked to 
        protect people from the rising floodwaters;
            (4) expresses its support as the Federal Emergency 
        Management Agency responds to the needs of the people and 
        communities affected by the flooding; and
            (5) honors the emergency responders, within and beyond 
        metropolitan Atlanta and the State of Georgia, for their 
        bravery and sacrifice during this tragedy.
                                 <all>
```