For Immediate Release
November 6, 2007
Media Contact: Ray Yonkura
(202) 225-2676
Jordan Resolution Honoring Flood Response Approved By House
Washington, DC -- Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Urbana) today hailed the unanimous passage of House Resolution 728, a measure he authored to express the House’s support for the response to this summer’s intense flooding in northwestern and north central Ohio.
“We witnessed firsthand the widespread damage of these floods from the day the rain started,” said Jordan. “The way communities across northern Ohio came together to help their neighbors recover is a model for the nation. I’m proud to have this opportunity to thank local volunteers, our first responders, and federal, state, and local officials for their hard work,” he added.
Fifty-one House members cosponsored Jordan’s resolution, including the entire congressional delegation from Ohio. The resolution commends the efforts of public officials, emergency personnel, volunteers, charitable organizations, and other groups that assisted in the response.
In House Floor remarks, Jordan praised the work of the late Congressman Paul E. Gillmor in helping affected communities in his district recover from the disaster.
Jordan also thanked Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Federal Emergency Management Agency Director R. David Paulison, and Administrator Steven C. Preston of the U.S. Small Business Administration for touring the region with him in the immediate aftermath of the flood.
“Our ability to address the ongoing needs of affected residents and local governments--as well as long-term solutions to flooding and infrastructure concerns in our part of Ohio--will require continued teamwork like we had in passing this resolution,” Jordan said.
The text of the resolution follows.
House Resolution 728
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr. JORDAN of Ohio submitted the following resolution, which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
RESOLUTION
Expressing the support and sympathy of the House of Representatives and the people of the United States for the victims of the devastating flooding that occurred across many parts of Ohio in August 2007 and commending the communities, volunteer organizations, churches and emergency response agencies for their continuing work to restore the affected areas across the state.
Whereas heavy rainstorms brought severe flooding to Ohio and the upper Midwest over the week of August 19, 2007;
Whereas in many parts of Ohio, this was the worst flood since 1913 with nearly 15 inches of rain in some areas;
Whereas the record storms and flooding were responsible for up to 18 deaths across parts of the upper Midwest--some of these in Ohio;
Whereas over 500 citizens were forced to flee their homes and businesses and many hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged;
Whereas on August 21, 2007, Allen, Crawford, Hancock, Hardin, Paulding, Putnam, Richland, Seneca, Van Wert and Wyandot counties made initial local emergency declaration;
Whereas on August 22, 2007, Governor Ted Strickland issued a State disaster declaration for Allen, Crawford, Hancock, Hardin, Putnam, Richland, Seneca, Wyandot and Van Wert Counties;
Whereas on August 27, 2007, President George W. Bush issued a Federal disaster declaration for Allen, Crawford, Hancock, Putnam, Richland and Wyandot Counties and later added Hardin and Seneca Counties; and
Whereas Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Indiana also experienced serious, storms, flooding and tornadoes: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) expresses its support and profoundest sympathy for the victims of the devastating flooding that occurred across much of Ohio and the surrounding region in August 2007;
(2) conveys its gratitude to the local, State and Federal officials and emergency personnel who responded to this emergency and continue working to restore normalcy in the affected counties;
(3) thanks the many volunteers, charitable organizations, business and individual donors, churches and religious organizations for their generosity in responding to this crisis; and
(4) commends the people of Ohio for their indomitable spirit and for the grace and magnanimity with which they have supported one another during the flooding and continuing recovery.
