Bill Text: MS HR6 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: U.S. Congress; urge to support any appropriation for relief to victims of Hurricane Sandy.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Failed) 2013-04-04 - Died In Committee [HR6 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2013-HR6-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Baria, Moak, Holland
House Resolution 6
A RESOLUTION URGING THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO ENACT LEGISLATION APPROPRIATING FEDERAL RESOURCES REQUEST BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO AID AND ASSIST AFFLICTED STATES ALONG THE EAST COAST RECOVER FROM THE DAMAGE INFLICTED BY HURRICANE SANDY.
Whereas, in late October of 2012, Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc and ravaged the East Coast of the United States, from North Carolina to Maine; and
Whereas, Hurricane Sandy left in its wake hundreds of thousands of damaged and destroyed homes and businesses, thousands of displaced and homeless citizens, tens of billions of dollars in economic losses, and hundreds of miles of wrecked coastline; and
Whereas, in New Jersey alone, Hurricane Sandy caused approximately $36.9 billion in damage, according to the preliminary damage assessment that the New Jersey Governor's Office released on November 28, 2012; and
Whereas, Hurricane Sandy's unrelenting battering tested the grit, determination and humanity of East Coast residents; and
Whereas, the people of the affected area have answered the call with admirable resolve, unity, and concern for their neighbors; and
Whereas, Americans from all over the country deserve gratitude and recognition for joining in this overwhelming display of community and compassion in countless ways, among them in donating more than $240 million to charities for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts through November of 2012, as reported by the Chronicle of Philanthropy; and
Whereas, in the face of indescribable suffering and devastation, public officeholders of all stripes have put aside their partisan mantles and in unison responded with purpose in providing emergency aid to the victims of Hurricane Sandy and committing to the rebuilding of disfigured areas; and
WHEREAS, in the wake of the insurmountable turmoil and desolation experienced by Mississippians as a result of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, the world and its inhabitants showcased the unwavering, nondiscriminatory and nonpartisan spirit of humanity through generous concerted acts of civility, humility, philanthropy, and we as Mississippians consider it our responsibility to reciprocate the same act of kindness to our fellowman despite how near or distant in proximity to the borders of Mississippi, for we are all united as one under the banner of the stars and stripes of the American Flag; and
Whereas, the President of the United States, in that same spirit of empathy and solidarity that has engulfed the nation, requested on December 7, 2012, that the United States Congress make available $60.4 billion in federal resources to help pay for the costs of responding to, recovering from, and mitigating the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy in all affected states; and
Whereas, the United States Congress has a proud history of expeditiously aiding areas recovering from horrific natural disasters, notably the $62 billion in emergency assistance it provided two weeks after Hurricane Katrina made landfall in August of 2005 and the $20 billion it appropriated within a month of Hurricanes Ike and Gustav leaving behind paths of destruction; and
Whereas, in the same unflinching spirit of bipartisanship with which public officeholders have responded to the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, the Governors of Connecticut, New Jersey and New York appealed jointly to the United States Congress in an editorial published by The Washington Post on December 13, 2012, that Congress put aside all partisanship and regional isolationism and continue its proud tradition of swiftly assisting states hit hard by natural disasters:
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to serve as advocates for the greater good of mankind when disaster strikes and the hopes and dreams of our fellow countrymen are shattered due to circumstances beyond the control of mortal man:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That the United States Congress is urged to adopt legislation that would provide the $60.4 billion in federal resources that the President of the United States requests to help pay for the costs of responding to, recovering from, and mitigating the indescribable damage that Hurricane Sandy wrought on states along the East Coast.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution shall be furnished to the President of the United States, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, to the members of the Mississippi Congressional delegation and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
