MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2005 5th Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Little, Albritton, Brown, Browning, Burton, Butler, Carmichael, Chaney, Clarke, Davis, Dawkins, Dearing, Flowers, Frazier, Gollott, Harden, Hewes, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (15th), Jackson (11th), Jordan, King, Kirby, Lee (35th), Lee (47th), Mettetal, Moffatt, Morgan, Nunnelee, Pickering, Posey, Robertson, Ross, Thames, Thomas, Tollison, Walls, White, Wilemon, Williamson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS TO THE PEOPLE, COMMUNITIES AND COUNTIES RAVAGED BY THE HURRICANE "KATRINA" DISASTER AND OFFERING ALL AID AT OUR DISPOSAL.
WHEREAS, on Monday, August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina, a Category Four Hurricane, crashed with unrelenting and violent force onto the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast, making landfall at or around Waveland, Mississippi. In one day, the worst natural disaster in our history struck us a grievous blow, leaving a 90-mile swath of destruction along the coast and causing severe damage throughout central and north Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, from Waveland as far east as Pascagoula, virtually all of the homes and property on the beach and inland for several blocks were destroyed or severely damaged, wiped away into a sea of debris, with cargo containers and casinos pushed across Highway 90; and
WHEREAS, this hurricane was far more than a calamity for the coast. There is major damage throughout Pearl River, Jones, Forrest, Lamar, Marion, Walthall, Pike, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Stone and other south and central Mississippi counties as the awesome strength of the hurricane came inland and destroyed thousands of homes, churches, schools, public buildings, and commercial and industrial facilities; and
WHEREAS, the initial response was to try to save lives on the coast. The Mississippi National Guard, local law enforcement authorities, Mississippi Department of Transportation repair crews, and Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks officers assisted to cut their way into the coast counties with search and rescue and security. Since then, thousands of relief workers from the Red Cross, FEMA, utility crews, the U.S. Coast Guard and out-of-state National Guard troops have rushed to help; and
WHEREAS, we quickly learned that the immense power and size of the hurricane had overwhelmed the critical infrastructure of the entire coast and south central Mississippi. The electric power system had been crushed, the telecommunications system was smashed, roads and streets were out of service, there was no running water, and there was almost nonexistent communication. With the serious immediate issues on the coast, there were many counties north of the coast which needed similar support and assistance. But these many brave volunteers stood fast at their post of duty during the many hours of this rampaging holocaust, to offer assistance to those in distress and for the protection of property; and
WHEREAS, we are heartened to find that many survivors' first concern was helping friends and neighbors. This attitude brings pride to the Legislature; and
WHEREAS, we join with Governor Barbour in focusing attention to the future. We are confident that in several months we will see a great surge in the confidence of our residents and in the economy of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and that this is an opportunity for a "renaissance" with the assistance of business leaders and developers to set a vision for the recovery of our great state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend our most heartfelt sympathy and sorrow to the people and communities of Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Stone, Lamar, Marion, Pearl River, Walthall, Forrest Counties and all of the other counties in Mississippi aggrieved by the embrace of Hurricane Katrina.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Legislature of the State of Mississippi and the citizens of this state wish those that were so tragically affected to know that we do share their grief, anxiety and anguish in their time of great sorrow and economic devastation, and we do hereby pledge that we shall do all humanly possible with all means at our disposal to ease their loss and assist them to arise from the rubble and restore themselves and their communities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to the Mayors and Boards of Supervisors of all communities and counties in the Hurricane Katrina disaster area and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.