05 LC 28
1972
Senate
Resolution 14
By:
Senators Smith of the 52nd, Hill of the 32nd, Mullis of the 53rd, Hudgens of the
47th, Tolleson of the 20th and others
A
RESOLUTION
Expressing
the sympathy for the victims of the powerful earthquake and devastating tsunami
that struck Bangladesh, Burma, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, the Maldives,
the Seychelles, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, and other areas of
Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Africa on December 26, 2004; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS
on December 26, 2004, a tremendous earthquake, registered at 9.0 on the Richter
scale and centered 100 miles off the coast of Northern Sumatra, Indonesia,
triggered a deadly tsunami that swept through the Indian Ocean, devastating
cities, towns, and communities and killing or injuring persons in Southeast Asia
and South Asia, the island nations of the region, and East Africa;
and
WHEREAS,
as a result of the earthquake and ensuing tsunami, more than 150,000 people have
lost their lives to date and tens of thousands of people are injured or missing;
and
WHEREAS,
the victims also include thousands of persons who were visiting the region when
the tsunami hit, including significant numbers from Europe and North and South
America; and
WHEREAS,
millions of people throughout Southeast Asia and South Asia have been left
without food, shelter, or clean water and now face deadly diseases such as
cholera, dengue fever, dysentery, malaria, and typhoid; and
WHEREAS,
thousands of children have been killed or injured by this disaster and thousands
of children have been separated from their families or orphaned and are in need
of reunification or adoption; and
WHEREAS,
whole coastal communities and cities throughout the region were obliterated, and
recovery, reconstruction, and clean-up of the devastated areas likely will take
years and billions of dollars;
and
WHEREAS, the United States government and other countries have joined together to provide relief funds, equipment, personnel, and supplies to aid this region and have been joined with other nongovernmental agencies to attempt to alleviate the suffering and reconstruct and clean up this region; and
WHEREAS, the United States government and other countries have joined together to provide relief funds, equipment, personnel, and supplies to aid this region and have been joined with other nongovernmental agencies to attempt to alleviate the suffering and reconstruct and clean up this region; and
WHEREAS,
much more funding and volunteers are needed to assist in this
effort.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body express
their heartfelt sympathy for the victims of the powerful earthquake and
devastating tsunami that struck cities, towns, and communities throughout
Southeast Asia, South Asia, and East Africa on December 26, 2004, and convey
their most sincere condolences to the families, communities, and governments of
the more than 150,000 people that lost their lives in this terrible natural
disaster.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body express their gratitude and
respect for the courageous and committed work of all aid and relief personnel,
including United States military personnel, who are saving lives and providing
relief assistance in the devastated areas of the region and commend the ongoing
international relief effort that includes the work of individual countries,
numerous international organizations, and various relief and other
nongovernmental entities.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body encourage private donations
and assistance from Georgia citizens, charitable organizations, religious
groups, and corporations that routinely provide generous and significant amounts
of aid, support, and volunteers to assist in the relief of this region that has
been so terribly impacted by the powerful earthquake and the devastating
tsunami.