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 per-
cent probability that such an earthquake will occur by the
year 2010;
Whereas earthquakes have occurred in Alaska, Illinois, Mis-
souri, 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 dam-
age 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 Assem-
bly was designed to promote a cooperative international
program to apply existing technology and advance exist-
ing 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 indi-
viduals and families;
Whereas earthquake preparedness can substantially reduce
the incidence of death, injury, and property damage re-
sulting 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
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That the week beginning April 3, 1994, is designated as
‘‘National Earthquake Awareness Week’’, and the Presi-
dent is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation
calling on public officials and the people of the United
States to observe the week with appropriate programs and
activities.
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