SENATE MEMORIAL 13

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Mary Jane M. Garcia

A MEMORIAL

EXTENDING HEARTFELT CONCERN FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI AND CALLING UPON STATE AGENCIES, ESPECIALLY THE HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT, TO PURSUE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE AID, ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO THOSE VICTIMS.

     WHEREAS, a massive earthquake, registering 7.0 on the Richter scale, struck Haiti just outside of that nation's capital of Port-au-Prince shortly before 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 12, 2010; and

     WHEREAS, the earthquake was the worst in the region in more than two hundred years, causing unimaginable destruction and affecting an estimated three million people, constituting one-third of the entire population of Haiti; and

     WHEREAS, schools, hospitals and a prison were all destroyed, along with countless homes, leaving thousands of residents homeless and without food or water; and

     WHEREAS, many aftershocks have been experienced in the city, including one occurring on January 20, 2010 that measured 6.1 on the Richter scale, almost equaling the strength of the original earthquake, and contributing to further destruction; and

     WHEREAS, although the world has rushed to rescue those trapped in the wreckage and provide assistance to those without shelter or sustenance, relief efforts are impeded by many factors, including roadways that are blocked by rubble, a small and partially destroyed airport, a nonfunctioning public utility system and the utter destruction of most of the infrastructure of the beleaguered city; and

     WHEREAS, despite the obstacles, governments and aid agencies worldwide have been marshaling supplies and personnel to get help to Haiti; and

     WHEREAS, the people of the United States have demonstrated that Haitians are their neighbors in both tangible and intangible ways, as the hearts and pocketbooks of American citizens have been pouring out generous aid, comfort and support to the residents of Haiti; and

     WHEREAS, the mission of the New Mexico homeland security and emergency management department is "to protect the people of New Mexico and the nation in a coordinated program of mitigating hazards, preparing for emergencies, preventing attack and responding and recovering from events that occur with regard to this cause";

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that heartfelt concern be expressed for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti and that state agencies, especially the homeland security and emergency management department, be called upon to pursue every opportunity to provide aid, assistance and support to those victims; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all branches of government facilitate and support any and all efforts of employees who wish to contribute aid and comfort to those victims through personal donations; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that individual members of the New Mexico legislature and all citizens of New Mexico consider the best way each person can make a meaningful contribution to provide aid, comfort and support to Haitians in need, including making a donation through a legitimate aid organization, a list of which can be found at http:/www.usaid.gov/locations/ latin_america_caribbean/country/haiti/eq/; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the secretary of homeland security and emergency management and the majority leadership offices of the legislature.

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