Bill Text: MS SC565 | 2010 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Express concern for victims of devastating Haiti earthquake and urging support of relief efforts.
Sponsorship: Broadly Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2010-01-28 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC565 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2010-SC565-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jackson (11th), Hewes, Albritton, Baria, Blount, Brown, Browning, Bryan, Burton, Butler, Carmichael, Chassaniol, Clarke, Davis, Dawkins, Dearing, Dickerson, Fillingane, Flowers, Frazier, Gollott, Gordon, Harden, Hopson, Horhn, Hudson, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Lee (35th), Lee (47th), McDaniel, Mettetal, Michel, Moffatt, Montgomery, Nunnelee, Powell, Simmons, Stone, Tollison, Turner, Walls, Ward, Watson, Wilemon, Yancey
Senate Concurrent Resolution 565
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING HUMANITARIAN CONCERN FOR THE PEOPLE OF HAITI VICTIMIZED BY THE DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE OF JANUARY 12, 2010, AND URGING THE GOVERNOR, THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD, THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) AND STATE AGENCIES TO SUPPORT HAITI RELIEF EFFORTS.
WHEREAS, a massive earthquake struck Haiti just before 5:00 p.m. on January 12, 2010, about 10 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, the country's capital. The quake was the worst in the region in more than 200 years, and as many as 50,000 people are feared dead. The quake left the country in shambles, without electricity or phone service, hindering efforts to provide relief. Governments and private groups from around the world pledged assistance, but two days after the quake only the barest trickle of aid had arrived. The day after the quake, Haiti's President, Ren� Pr�val, called the destruction "unimaginable"; and
WHEREAS, Governor Haley Barbour is directing the response of Mississippi state agencies to help people in the beleaguered Nation of Haiti. Many people have already called his office offering assistance and needing information; in time, that assistance will be sorely needed. His office has been advised by federal authorities that, for now, only search-and-rescue personnel, equipment and supplies are being allowed into Haiti; and
WHEREAS, to facilitate the flow of information regarding recovery efforts, the Governor has created a new link on his Web site. Some useful information is already posted regarding how Mississippians, charitable agencies and private sources can contribute to recovery efforts; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Air National Guard has launched a C-17 Globemaster III and crew to pick up Department of Health and Human Services personnel and equipment to proceed to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where the Department of Health and Human Services workers will provide aid in earthquake recovery efforts. The C-17s and crews are part of the 172nd Airlift Wing based at Thompson Field in Flowood, Mississippi. They also continue their medical evacuation flights into Iraq and Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, "I'm very proud of our National Guard, especially when they are involved on so many fronts," said Governor Barbour, Commander-in-Chief of the Mississippi National Guard. "They always step up to the plate when their services are needed, and their services are definitely needed right now in Haiti"; and
WHEREAS, "When tragedy strikes, our soldiers and airmen always come to the front, regardless of the situation," said Major General William L. Freeman, Jr., Adjutant General of Mississippi. "Our people and our assets will be standing by for any other Haiti recovery support that may be required"; and
WHEREAS, President Obama said that United States aid agencies were moving swiftly to get help to Haiti and that search-and-rescue teams were already en route. Aid agencies from around the world have geared up to help. Agencies already in Haiti said they would open their storehouses of food and water there, and the World Food Program was flying in nearly 100 tons of ready-to-eat meals and high-energy biscuits from El Salvador. The United Nations said it was freeing up $10 Million in emergency relief funds, the European Union pledged $4.4 Million, and groups like Doctors Without Borders were setting up clinics in tents and open-air triage centers to treat the injured; and
WHEREAS, when Hurricane Katrina destroyed the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 2005, there was an outpouring of support from other neighboring states and around the world with the pace of recovery, both logistically and emotionally. Knowing the kind of devastation caused by this natural disaster, it is only appropriate that Mississippi join the federal government, other states and charitable private resources to help relieve the human suffering in Haiti; and
WHEREAS, Mississippians benefited from the generosity of strangers, both foreign and domestic, in the aftermath of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina; and
WHEREAS, Mississippians are known for being among the most compassionate and giving citizens in America; and
WHEREAS, thousands of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) trailers used for the shelter of Mississippians left homeless after Hurricane Katrina are sitting unused in various locations and storage areas in Mississippi, and would serve to provide shelter for many residents of Haiti; and
WHEREAS, the people of Haiti desperately need our assistance during their darkest hour:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby express our humanitarian concern for the people of Haiti victimized by the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010, and urge the Governor, the Mississippi National Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, all Mississippi charitable relief private organizations and the citizens of Mississippi to support these relief efforts.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard, the Executive Director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, members of Mississippi's congressional delegation and made available to the Capitol Press Corps for general publication to the citizens of Mississippi.
