IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1070 

Expressing gratitude and appreciation to the individuals and organizations 

that comprise the National Urban Search and Rescue System of the 

Federal Emergency Management Agency for their unyielding determination and work as first responders to victims of disasters and other 

incidents, including the victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti, and 

for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 3, 2010 

Ms. NORTON submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing gratitude and appreciation to the individuals and 

organizations that comprise the National Urban Search 

and Rescue System of the Federal Emergency Management Agency for their unyielding determination and work 

as first responders to victims of disasters and other 

incidents, including the victims of the recent earthquake 

in Haiti, and for other purposes. 

Whereas a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the nation of 

Haiti on January 12, 2010, resulting in the loss of more 

than 112,000 lives, injuring more than 190,000 others, 

and causing extensive damage to the nation, most notably 

to the capital city of Port-au-Prince; 


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2 

•HRES 1070 IH 

Whereas the Federal Emergency Management Agency 

(FEMA) has agreements with 28 urban search and rescue teams under which the teams conduct search and rescue missions in response to disasters and other incidents 

from all hazards, as authorized by the Robert T. Stafford 

Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; 

Whereas these teams, known as Urban Search and Rescue 

Task Forces (Task Forces), are comprised of State and 

local first responders who, in the event of a disaster or 

other incident, can be activated by Federal, State, or 

local governments to assist in rescuing victims of structural collapse or conducting other search and rescue missions; 

Whereas each Task Force is comprised of 70 members, who 

are multifaceted and cross trained in the 6 major functional areas of search, rescue, medical, hazardous materials, logistics, and planning, and who are supported by 

trained canines able to conduct physical search and heavy 

rescue operations; 

Whereas the Task Forces have been activated for natural and 

man-made disasters and incidents both at home and 

abroad, including hurricanes, earthquakes, and the attacks of September 11, 2001; 

Whereas 6 Task Forces, comprised of 510 personnel, were 

activated and sent to assist in the ongoing rescue efforts 

being led by the United States Agency for International 

Development in Haiti; 

Whereas these Task Forces were from Fairfax, Virginia; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Miami-Dade, Florida; Miami, Florida; Los Angeles County, California; and New York, New 

York; and 


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3 

•HRES 1070 IH 

Whereas the Task Forces deployed to Haiti have rescued at 

least 47 individuals: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) expresses its most sincere gratitude and ap3 preciation to the individuals and organizations that 

4 comprise the National Urban Search and Rescue 

5 System of the Federal Emergency Management 

6 Agency (FEMA) for their unyielding determination 

7 and work as first responders to victims of disasters 

8 from all hazards; 

9 (2) expresses its support for FEMA, including 

10 FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces, as 

11 FEMA undertakes response and recovery efforts in 

12 connection with the earthquake that struck Haiti on 

13 January 12, 2010; and 

14 (3) honors United States emergency responders 

15 for their constant bravery and sacrifice during times 

16 of great tragedy and disaster. 

Æ 


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