IV 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 74
Expressing the sense of Congress with respect to the urgency of providing 
adequate assistance to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana devastated 
by severe flooding as a result of torrential rains from late December 
2004 to January 2005. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 17, 2005
Mr. MEEKS of New York (for himself, Ms. LEE, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. CROWLEY, 
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Mr. RANGEL, Ms. CARSON, and Mr. CONYERS) sub-
mitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on International Relations 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Expressing the sense of Congress with respect to the urgency 
of providing adequate assistance to the Co-operative Re-
public of Guyana devastated by severe flooding as a 
result of torrential rains from late December 2004 to 
January 2005.
Whereas from late December 2004 to January 2005 tor-
rential rains caused serious flooding in the Co-operative 
Republic of Guyana, especially in the country’s capital, 
Georgetown, and other coastal towns; 
Whereas the total rainfall reached 59 inches, which is the 
highest rainfall for a similar time period in Guyana since 
1888, more than 100 years ago;
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Whereas the Pan American Health Organization estimates 
that at least 19 people have lost their lives as a result 
of the floods; 
Whereas as of February 8, 2005, the flooding directly af-
fected 290,000 residents in Guyana, with as many as 
92,000 persons having lost their homes and livelihoods, 
and 32,000 persons still awaiting assistance; 
Whereas the number of cases related to waterborne diseases 
such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and den-
gue continues to rise; 
Whereas the United Nations currently estimates that 
$3,000,000 is needed for assistance for Guyana and is 
awaiting a formal damage assessment once the flood wa-
ters recede, that could significantly increase this figure; 
Whereas the cost of providing emergency assistance to the re-
gion is much greater than Guyana can sustain by itself; 
Whereas the United States Agency for International Develop-
ment has provided over $1,200,000 in assistance to Guy-
ana for relief and recovery from the severe flooding; 
Whereas the Guyanese community members and organiza-
tions as well as the Consulate and Embassy of Guyana 
in the United States worked together and organized their 
own relief effort organization, called Guyana Flood Re-
lief, which raised $35,500 and provided other much-need-
ed resources to Guyana; 
Whereas the United States Agency for International Develop-
ment’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance is working 
closely with the Government of Guyana, the United Na-
tions Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Af-
fairs, the International Federation of the Red Cross and 
Red Crescent Societies, the Pan American Health Orga-
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nization, and other nongovernmental organizations to 
provide a final assessment of the flood damage and ex-
tend aid to flood victims in Guyana; 
Whereas the Alliance of Small Island States, a coalition of 
small island and low-lying coastal countries, including 
Guyana, is effectively securing sustainable development 
for such countries, which are some of the most vulnerable 
countries in the world to natural disasters; 
Whereas the people of the United States, where an average 
of 100 people lose their lives in floods annually and with 
flood damage averaging more than $2,000,000,000, can 
empathize with the people of Guyana as they begin the 
recovery process; and 
Whereas Guyana will need significant assistance from the 
international community for both relief and reconstruc-
tion efforts: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That Congress—
(1) commends the people of Co-operative Re-
public of Guyana for their efforts to respond to the 
devastation caused by the severe flooding as a result 
of torrential rains from late December 2004 to Jan-
uary 2005; 
(2) commends the efforts of Guyanese-Ameri-
cans and their organizations to provide relief to 
those individuals who are suffering as result of the 
flooding;
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(3) commends the ongoing international relief 
effort that includes the work of individual countries, 
numerous international organizations, and various 
relief and other nongovernmental organizations; 
(4) supports the efforts of the United States 
Government and its coordination with the inter-
national community and organizations to assess the 
damage and provide assistance to the people of Guy-
ana; 
(5) urges the international community to take 
all necessary steps to provide emergency relief and 
support reconstruction efforts for Guyana; and 
(6) urges the President, acting through the Ad-
ministrator of the United States Agency for Inter-
national Development, to assess, anticipate, and pro-
vide further assistance to Guyana as needed to help 
rebuild lives and restore livelihoods.
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