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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1048 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1048

 Commending the efforts and honoring the work of the men and women of 
 USNS Comfort and the United States Navy in the immediate response to 
those affected by the earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 27, 2010

  Mr. Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition 
  to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently 
   determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Commending the efforts and honoring the work of the men and women of 
 USNS Comfort and the United States Navy in the immediate response to 
those affected by the earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010.

Whereas, on January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the country of 
        Haiti;
Whereas casualty estimates, upwards of 150,000, as well as damage to roads, 
        ports, hospitals, and homes, make this earthquake one of the worst 
        catastrophes to hit Haiti in over two centuries;
Whereas an estimated 3,000,000 people have been directly affected by the 
        disaster in Haiti, nearly one-third of the country's population, who are 
        currently at risk of long-term displacement and vulnerability;
Whereas Haiti is the poorest, least developed country in the Western Hemisphere;
Whereas prior to the earthquake, Haiti was recovering from a terrible string of 
        hurricanes and tropical storms, food shortages and rising commodity 
        prices, and political instability, but was showing signs of improvement 
        and resolve;
Whereas President Obama vowed the ``unwavering support'' of the United States 
        and pledged a ``swift, coordinated and aggressive effort to save lives 
        and support the recovery in Haiti'';
Whereas the people of Haiti have shown remarkable resilience and courage in the 
        face of epic tragedy;
Whereas the United States Navy responded within hours of the earthquake to 
        swiftly provide the Haitians with aid;
Whereas the USNS Comfort and its crew of 1,200 have provided 24-hour care for 
        nearly 500 Haitians, ranging from newborns to critically ill patients;
Whereas the USNS Comfort's 550-person medical staff includes trauma surgeons, 
        orthopedic surgeons, head and neck surgeons, eye surgeons, and 
        obstetricians and gynecologists;
Whereas the medical staff of the USNS Comfort, as of January 24, 2010, had 
        performed over 100 surgeries;
Whereas the extraordinary USNS Comfort medical staff has saved the lives of 98 
        percent of the ship's patient population as of January 25, 2010;
Whereas the people of the United States empathize with the medical staff of the 
        USNS Comfort who must make agonizing decisions about the use of scarce 
        resources for critically ill patients;
Whereas prior to the arrival of the USNS Comfort, the USS Carl Vinson dutifully 
        provided initial triage of patients; and
Whereas the USNS Comfort and the USS Carl Vinson have been aided in their 
        efforts by other Navy vessels, including the crews of the USS Higgins, 
        the USS Underwood, the USS Normandy, the USS Bunker Hill, the USS 
        Bataan, the USS Carter Hall, the USS Gunston Hall, the USS Fort McHenry, 
        the USNS Grasp, the Navy Underwater Construction Team One, and the Navy 
        Mobile Diving Salvage Unit Two: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses its deepest condolences and sympathy for the 
        horrific loss of life and the physical and psychological damage 
        caused by the earthquake of January 12, 2010;
            (2) expresses solidarity with Haitians, Haitian-Americans, 
        and all those who have lost loved ones or have otherwise been 
        affected by the tragedy;
            (3) commends the efforts of the people of the United 
        States, including the Haitian-American community, to provide 
        relief to families, friends, and unknown peoples suffering in 
        the country; and
            (4) commends the efforts and honors the work of the men and 
        women of USNS Comfort and the United States Navy in the 
        immediate response to those affected by this calamity.
                                 <all>
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