IV 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 172 
Expressing heartfelt condolences and support for assistance to the people 
of Japan and all those affected in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake 
and tsunamis of March 11, 2011. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 15, 2011 
Mr. 
HONDA
(for 
himself, 
Mr. 
MANZULLO, 
Ms. 
HANABUSA, 
Mr. 
FALEOMAVAEGA, Ms. DEGETTE, Mrs. DAVIS of California, Ms. HIRONO, 
Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. GRIJALVA, Ms. RICHARDSON, Mr. RUSH, Ms. 
MOORE, Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia, Ms. BASS of California, Mr. 
MCGOVERN, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Ms. CHU, Mr. MCNERNEY, Mr. 
THOMPSON of California, Ms. LEE of California, Ms. MATSUI, Mr. 
SABLAN, Ms. BORDALLO, Mr. WU, Mr. ELLISON, Mr. CICILLINE, Mr. 
MCDERMOTT, Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California, Mr. PIERLUISI, Mr. 
GEORGE
MILLER
of California, Mr. LARSEN
of Washington, Mr. 
DEUTCH, Mr. MCINTYRE, Mr. LEVIN, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. NEAL, Mr. 
PASCRELL, Mr. BERMAN, Ms. WOOLSEY, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON 
of Texas, and Mr. SCOTT of Virginia) submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing heartfelt condolences and support for assistance 
to the people of Japan and all those affected in the 
aftermath of the deadly earthquake and tsunamis of 
March 11, 2011. 
Whereas on March 11, 2011, an estimated 9.0-magnitude 
earthquake struck off the northeast coast of Japan, ap-
proximately 80 miles from the coastal city of Sendai; 
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Whereas the massive earthquake was the most powerful on 
record to hit Japan and the fourth strongest in the world 
since 1900, according to the U.S. Geological Survey; 
Whereas the earthquake has been followed by more than 200 
aftershocks, some reaching magnitudes above 6.0 and 
triggering additional tsunami warnings; 
Whereas the massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake produced a 
major tsunami nearly 30 feet in height which surged sev-
eral miles inland in Japan; 
Whereas the tsunami traveled across the Pacific Ocean at an 
approximate speed of 500 miles per hour, prompting 
warnings and alerts for over 50 countries and territories 
throughout the Pacific Ocean, including the United 
States and her territories; 
Whereas the tsunami’s impact on the United States included 
two casualties, forced evacuations, and significant prop-
erty damage initially reported in Kealakekua, Maalaea 
Harbor, and Kahului in Hawaii, Crescent City, Fort 
Bragg, and Santa Cruz harbors in California, and the 
port of Brookings-Harbor in Oregon; 
Whereas by March 14, 2011, states of emergency were de-
clared for Hawaii and California’s Del Norte, Humboldt, 
San Mateo, and Santa Cruz counties with others to pos-
sibly follow; 
Whereas videos and aerial images taken immediately fol-
lowing the tsunami’s impact on Japan show flooded 
towns and farmland, collapsed buildings and homes, rag-
ing fires, and hundreds of automobiles, trains, and boats 
swept away; 
Whereas four nuclear power plants in Fukushima Prefecture 
were immediately shutdown due to safety concerns about 
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damage sustained and prompted the evacuation of thou-
sands of local residents; 
Whereas by March 14, 2011, states of emergency continue at 
the Fukushima Daiichi and Fukushima Daini nuclear 
power plants due to multiple explosions, threats of leak-
ing radiation, and possible nuclear meltdown; 
Whereas after the earthquake and tsunami impact, nearly 
half a million people in Japan were displaced and millions 
more were left without power; 
Whereas by March 14, 2011, the National Police Agency of 
Japan reported the number of people affected at 1,897 
casualties, 1,885 injured, and 3,002 missing; 
Whereas the police chief of Miyagi Prefecture, prefecture 
nearest to the epicenter of the earthquake, predicted that 
the casualties could be over 10,000 in that area alone; 
Whereas the full extent of the tremendous loss of life and de-
struction of property will not be known for some time; 
Whereas Japan Prime Minister Naoto Kan addressed the 
people of Japan and said that ‘‘this is the biggest crisis 
we have faced in our 65-year post war history’’; 
Whereas the people of Japan have demonstrated steadfast 
courage, selflessness, resilience, and compassion during 
this tragedy; 
Whereas international groups and private citizens have quick-
ly and compassionately rallied humanitarian assistance 
and donations for the people of Japan; 
Whereas over 70 nations have offered relief assistance and 
many have sent disaster response teams to Japan, includ-
ing a search and rescue team from New Zealand, which 
was devastated by an earthquake on February 22, 2011; 
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