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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 816 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 816

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                      October 14, 2009.
Whereas, on September 29, 2009, at 1748 UTC, a powerful earthquake struck below 
        the ocean about 140 miles southwest of Pago Pago, American Samoa, and 
        125 miles south of Samoa, centered only 11 miles below the seabed;
Whereas the earthquake registered 8.3 on the Richter scale and is recognized as 
        the world's largest earthquake of 2009;
Whereas a second earthquake with a magnitude of 5.6 occurred at 1808 UTC in the 
        vicinity of the first one;
Whereas the first undersea earthquake created a massive tsunami that crashed 
        into American Samoa, Samoa, and neighboring Tonga, sweeping cars and 
        people out to sea as survivors fled to high ground;
Whereas the tsunami, with towering waves that reached up to 20 feet in height 
        and penetrated one mile inland, caused death and destruction on a nearly 
        unprecedented scale;
Whereas the death toll, as of October 7, 2009, is estimated at 32 in American 
        Samoa and 135 in the Independent State of Samoa;
Whereas many individuals and families affected in this region are now lacking 
        basic survival necessities and there remains the risk of numerous 
        additional deaths due to shortages of clean water, adequate shelter, 
        food, sanitation, and basic healthcare;
Whereas the human cost of this disaster transcends mere statistics and has 
        resulted in deeply personal tragedies for numerous families and 
        communities in the region and throughout the world;
Whereas children in the United States Territory of American Samoa running for 
        home unknowingly ran in the direction of the tsunami;
Whereas the villages of Fagamalo, Poloa, Amanave, Fai'lolo, Nua, Se'etaga, Afao, 
        Asili, Amaluia, Leone, Fagasa, Fagatogo, Pago Pago, Aua, Afono, Vatia, 
        Masefau, Faga'itua, Pagai, Utusia, Alofau, Auto, Alao, and Tula in 
        American Samoa were devastated by the disaster;
Whereas in response to this disaster and call for assistance, the people of the 
        United States have responded with a generous and heartfelt outpouring of 
        aid;
Whereas a team of more than 300 responders from the Federal Emergency Management 
        Agency (FEMA), the American Red Cross, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 
        the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other Federal 
        agencies is on the ground in American Samoa coordinating relief and 
        recovery operations;
Whereas the United States Navy (USN), the United States Coast Guard (USCG), the 
        Hawaii Air National Guard, and the U.S. Army Reserve American Samoa, 
        under the leadership of Admiral Timothy J. Keating, Commander, U.S. 
        Pacific Command (PACOM), and Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Iuniasolua T. 
        Savusa, Senior Enlisted Leader, PACOM, with the support of Major General 
        Robert G.F. Lee, the Adjutant General, State of Hawaii, provided 
        critical transport of the life-saving and life-sustaining supplies and 
        equipment to meet the immediate needs of the survivors, including more 
        than 26,000 meals, 14,000 liters of water, 1,800 blankets, 800 tents, 
        more than 800 cots, and 9 pallets of medical supplies and medical 
        equipment in support of American Samoa's mass care operations;
Whereas foreign governments, including Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of 
        China, the Republic of Korea, Palau, Thailand, Samoa, Fiji, Grenada, 
        Hungary, Uzbekistan, Republic of China (Taiwan), Indonesia, Nauru, 
        Australia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Japan, Pacific Islands Forum members, and 
        the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) sent messages of support and 
        offers of aid to the people of American Samoa;
Whereas organizations including the Li Ka Shing Foundation, the Hanwha Group, 
        Save the Children, the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Latter-
        day Saint Charities, Catholic Charities, the American Jewish Joint 
        Distribution Committee (JDC), National Voluntary Organizations Active in 
        Disaster, StarKist, Bumble Bee, the National Football League (NFL), and 
        many others are providing assistance;
Whereas the Samoan community in areas such as California, Utah, Washington, and 
        Hawaii have been instrumental in helping their ``aiga'' abroad;
Whereas President Barack H. Obama telephoned the Governor of American Samoa and 
        American Samoa's Delegate to the United States House of Representatives 
        to personally extend his and the First Lady's condolences to the 
        families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the earthquake 
        and tsunami in American Samoa and the region, and to assure the Governor 
        and the Delegate that he would speed the deployment of resources and 
        provide the tools necessary for a full, swift, and aggressive response;
Whereas Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton also telephoned American 
        Samoa's Delegate in his capacity as Chairman of the House Foreign 
        Affairs' Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment to 
        convey her sympathy and offer her full support which subsequently 
        included the authorization to airlift emergency supplies to Samoa;
Whereas Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi issued a press statement on behalf of 
        the entire Congress promising to quickly address the needs of American 
        Samoa and the Americans who live there; and
Whereas Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, 
        Chairman John F. Kerry of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, 
        Chairman Howard L. Berman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, 
        Chairman Nick J. Rahall, II, of the House Committee on Natural 
        Resources, as well as many other Members of Congress also offered 
        expressions of support in the aftermath of the devastating tsunami: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) mourns the loss of life caused by the earthquakes and tsunamis 
        that occurred on September 29, 2009, in American Samoa, Samoa, and 
        Tonga;
            (2) offers its deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of 
        the many earthquake and tsunami victims, and to Head of State His 
        Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese and Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai 
        Sailele Malielegaoi of Samoa, as well as to His Majesty King George 
        Tupou V and Prime Minister Feleti Vaka'uta Sevele of Tonga;
            (3) pledges its full support to the people of American Samoa and the 
        villages of Fagamalo, Poloa, Amanave, Fai'lolo, Nua, Se'etaga, Afao, 
        Asili, Amaluia, Leone, Fagasa, Fagatogo, Pago Pago, Aua, Afono, Vatia, 
        Masefau, Faga'itua, Pagai, Utusia, Alofau, Auto, Alao, and Tula as they 
        begin the long and difficult process of rebuilding their homes and 
        lives;
            (4) recognizes the humanitarian response that is currently underway 
        and commends the efforts of all persons and relief organizations who 
        continue to alleviate the suffering by providing financial and material 
        support;
            (5) urges continued attention by donors and relief agencies to the 
        needs of vulnerable populations in the stricken areas, particularly the 
        children and elderly who have been devastatingly affected by this 
        disaster;
            (6) expresses gratitude and appreciation to the foreign governments 
        from around the world that are lending their support to the United 
        States Territory of American Samoa;
            (7) commends the over 100,000 Samoans residing in the United States 
        from American Samoa and Samoa for coming to the aid of their ``aiga'' in 
        the affected islands; and
            (8) pays tribute to the people of American Samoa and Samoa for their 
        strength of spirit and their deep and abiding faith in God which brings 
        hope to all of us.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.
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