Wu Leads House in Expressing Condolences to Earthquake Victims

Statement

WU LEADS HOUSE IN EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES TO EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

Today Congressman David Wu led the U.S. House of Representatives in unanimously passing a resolution expressing condolences to the people of the People's Republic of China for the grave loss of lives and vast destruction caused by the earthquake on May 12, 2008 in Sichuan Province. Congressman Wu introduced the resolution, H.Res. 1195, on May 14, 2008.

Congressman Wu's floor statement is below.

Madame Speaker, the world is shocked and saddened by the aftermath of the horrendous earthquake that struck the Chinese Province of Sichuan last Monday, May 12.

Chinese news reports now confirm that the 7.9-magnitude earthquake has claimed the lives of over 40,000 people. The number of fatalities climbs higher each day as the full scale of the devastation is uncovered. Chinese authorities estimate that, despite rescue efforts, in the end as many as 50,000 people could perish from the earthquake.

Particularly heartbreaking are the hundreds of children who were killed as their schools crumbled around them. These young lives have been cut far, far too short.

We are all deeply moved by the images of parents overwhelmed with grief at discovering the loss of their child. As we speak, hundreds of parents are sifting through the wreckage with faint and desperate hopes that their child may still be alive.

Rescue workers continue to work tirelessly, day and night, as stories of heroism and miraculous survivals are interwoven with tales of loss and devastation.

Doctors and nurses tend to injured victims around the clock, as hospitals handle many times their normal number of patients.

This earthquake is the most devastating natural disaster to strike China since 1976, and sadly, as aftershocks continue to hit the area, the turmoil continues.

Just yesterday, Chinese media reported that more than 200 rescue workers have been buried in mudslides while they were repairing roads in Sichuan.

While the 1.3 billion people across China unite in grief for 3 days of mourning, it is fitting that this body expresses our deepest sympathies. With this resolution, we offer our condolences to the people of China as they cope with this awful tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

H.Res. 1195 also vows the full support of the House of Representatives to the people of China, and expresses our confidence that they will succeed in coming together to help those in need and overcome this terrible disaster.

Finally, the House extends its condolences and support to the members of the Chinese American community here in the United States who have relatives and friends in the affected areas of China.

I strongly support this resolution, and I encourage my colleagues to join me in doing the same.

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