Congressional Hearings/Resolutions
Expressing Sympathy for Indian Earthquake
Victims
Resolution of U.S. Senate
February 8, 2001
Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed
to the consideration of Calendar No. 12, S. Con. Res. 6.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the concurrent resolution
by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 6) expressing sympathy for the
victims of the devastating earthquake that struck India on January 26,
2001, and support for ongoing aid efforts.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the concurrent
resolution.
Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I am proud to cosponsor S. Con. Res. 6. This
concurrent resolution sends a message of sympathy and support to the people
of India, who have been struck by one of the worst natural disasters to
afflict their nation in the half-century since Independence.
The earthquake which devastated the Western Indian state of Gujarat killed
untold thousands. The magnitude of this tragedy is demonstrated by the
fact that 30,000 dead is now referred to as an optimistic estimate. Other
sources, such as the Indian Minister of Defense, have suggested a worst-case
scenario of 100,000 dead.
As President Bush noted, a disaster such as this knows no national boundaries.
The victims have been the people of India, but the burden of humanitarian
relief rests on the shoulders of the entire world community.
I congratulate the relief workers, from many nations, who have stepped
up to the challenge. The most important work, of course, has been done
by the Indians themselves tens of thousands of military and civilian personnel
who have labored tirelessly to help save the lives of those trapped in
the wreckage.
Working alongside them have been search and rescue teams from Britain,
Switzerland, Germany, Russia and Turkey. They helped locate victims with
state-of-the-art thermal sensors, and with specially-trained canine units.
Following closely after the search and rescue teams have been medical
units from France, Japan, Israel, Denmark and NGOs like the International
Federation of the Red Cross and Doctors without Borders. These nations
and groups have set up field hospitals and shipped in medical supplies
to tend to the needs of tens of thousands of wounded.
Many other countries have offered cash donations, food, tents, blankets,
or other humanitarian assistance. Of these donor countries I would like
to single out Pakistan for particular commendation: in light of recent
tensions, and of Pakistan's own losses in the earthquake--at least a dozen
dead, with a full reckoning not yet made--the shipment of relief supplies
was an important gesture of peace.
The United States, for logistical reasons, has concentrated its efforts
on providing potable water, shelter, and food to those rendered homeless
by the quake. USAID has already made several airlifts of vital material,
and more aid is in the pipeline.
When a disaster occurs at such a great geographical remove, US assets
might not always be the first to arrive on the spot. But once the US gears
up for a challenge, it is equal to any task. The job of the world community
now is to make sure that the earthquake does not claim more victims after
the last tremors have ceased.
The basic human-needs infrastructure of Gujarat has, in many areas, been
entirely wiped out: hundreds of thousands of people will be effected,
to one degree or another. In a situation like this, diseases like cholera
or dysentery--easily preventable, with proper medical and nutritional
facilities--can spread like wildfire. Simply insuring that the dispossessed
people have access to food, shelter, and clean water can save countless
lives.
We Americans are a compassionate people. But from the stark figures of
relief provided and pledged, the extent of our compassion may not be clear.
In the crucial first days following the disaster--when a dozen other countries
were actively engaged in rescue and medical support--our financial pledge
was one-third that of Great Britain, a million dollars lower than that
of Germany, and a sum less than than the combined pledges of Holland and
Italy.
Our contribution has since risen, and I am told that it will continue
to rise in the days and weeks to come. I certainly hope that it does.
And when the time comes to fund the reconstruction of Western India's
basic infrastructure a task that will require more than $1 billion in
loans from international financial organizations I hope that we will demonstrate
the full extent of our country's compassionate nature.
Today, as India works to save the lives of its citizens and mourns the
lives of those who could not be saved, our thoughts and prayers are with
the people of Gujarat. I hope that the United States will accelerate its
efforts to put these thoughts and prayers into generous, concrete action.
Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid
upon the table, and any statements relating to the concurrent resolution
be printed in the RECORD.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 6) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The concurrent resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Con. Res. 6
Whereas on the morning of January 26, 2001, a devastating and deadly
earthquake shook the state of Gujarat in western India, killing untold
tens of thousands of people, injuring countless others, and crippling
most of the region;
Whereas the earthquake of January 26, 2001, has left thousands of buildings
in ruin, caused widespread fires, and destroyed infrastructure;
Whereas the people of India and people of Indian origin have displayed
strength, courage, and determination in the aftermath of the earthquake;
Whereas the people of the United States and India have developed a strong
friendship based on mutual interests and respect;
Whereas India has asked the World Bank for $1,700,000,000 in economic
assistance to start rebuilding from the earthquake;
Whereas the United States has offered technical and monetary assistance
through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID);
and
Whereas offers of assistance have also come from the Governments of Turkey,
Switzerland, Taiwan, Russia, Germany, China, Canada, and others, as well
as countless nongovernmental organizations:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That
Congress--
- expresses its deepest sympathies to the citizens of the state of Gujarat
and to all of India for the tragic losses suffered as a result of the
earthquake of January 26, 2001;
- expresses its support for--
(A) the people of India as they continue their efforts to rebuild their
cities and their lives;
(B) the efforts of the World Bank;
(C) continuing and substantially increasing the amount of disaster assistance
being provided by the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID) and other relief agencies; and
(D) providing future economic assistance in order to help rebuild Gujarat;
and
- recognizes and encourages the important assistance that also could be
provided by other nations to alleviate the suffering of the people of
India.
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