Georgia General Assembly

By: Representatives Lunsford of the 110th, Burmeister of the 119th, Keen of the 179th, Ehrhart of the 36th, Smith of the 129th, and others

Commending the President of the United States George W. Bush and others, including the military and national guard from every state, first responders, private business, emergency medical technicians, cardiac technicians, paramedics, firefighters, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and other law enforcement and devoted citizen volunteers of Georgia and other states, who have given tirelessly during the Hurricane Katrina disaster and its aftermath; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, there has been tragedy and disaster of monumental proportions caused by Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath resulting in overwhelming loss of life and property by many thousands of people; and

WHEREAS, many persons have lost loved ones and many have lost their entire worldly possessions as a result of this terrible storm; and

WHEREAS, through a coordinated, nationwide network, the emergency medical professionals and law enforcement members of Georgia and other states respond to over 100,000,000 calls for assistance annually, risking their lives on a daily basis to go to the aid of those in need; and

WHEREAS, in the State of Georgia, private citizens, clergy, governmental representatives, and the members of the General Assembly recognize that, without the help of the President and the federal organizations involved, the loss of life would have been even more severe than the current tragedy; and

WHEREAS, those tens of thousands of workers and volunteers are performing their lifesaving duties through a network composed of thousands of shelters, homes, churches, and other organizations; FEMA; GEMA; Angel Flight; and others; and

WHEREAS, the goals of each and every one of these individuals and services include the prevention of illness and injury and the continuance, reestablishment, and normalization of life for these displaced Americans and their families; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that President Bush, the volunteer organizations, the volunteers, the law enforcement personnel, the military and national guard personnel, the medical personnel, and the others who are engaged in coping with this disaster be recognized for their outstanding and courageous service to the people of this nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that each and every individual and organization named or referenced in this resolution is commended for the outstanding service provided to the people of this nation in this time of need.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to President George W. Bush, Governor Sonny Perdue, and the director of the Georgia Office of Emergency Medical Services and that this resolution be posted on the Clerk's website.