H. Res. 1048 
In the House of Representatives, U. S., 
February 23, 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 af-
fected 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 in-
stability, but was showing signs of improvement and re-
solve; 
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 recov-
ery in Haiti’’;
•HRES 1048 EH 
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 more than 1,200 
has provided 24-hour care for over 900 Haitians, ranging 
from newborns to critically ill patients; 
Whereas the USNS Comfort’s over 550-person medical staff 
includes trauma surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, head and 
neck surgeons, eye surgeons, and obstetricians and gyne-
cologists; 
Whereas the medical staff of the USNS Comfort, as of Feb-
ruary 18, 2010, had performed over 755 surgeries; 
Whereas the extraordinary USNS Comfort medical staff has 
saved countless lives; 
Whereas the people of the United States empathize with the 
medical staff of the USNS Comfort who must make ago-
nizing 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, includ-
ing the crews of the USS Higgins, the USS Underwood, 
the USS Normandy, the USS Bunker Hill, the USS Ba-
taan, the USS Carter Hall, the USS Gunston Hall, the 
USS Fort McHenry, the USNS Grasp, the Navy Under-
water Construction Team One, and the Navy Mobile Div-
ing Salvage Unit Two: Now, therefore, be it
•HRES 1048 EH 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) expresses its deepest condolences and sympathy 
for the horrific loss of life and the physical and psycho-
logical 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 commu-
nity, 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. 
Attest: 
Clerk.