HR0592 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0592 LRB097 14436 GRL 59278 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On October 23, 2011, an earthquake, measured at 7.3 on the Richter scale, struck eastern Turkey near the City of Van; and

WHEREAS, Over 500 victims have perished and thousands more have been injured from the earthquake; and

WHEREAS, The earthquake left thousands of residents homeless, requiring a massive humanitarian aid effort to care for the displaced; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of aftershocks have shaken the area since the quake hit, further exacerbating an already difficult rescue and recovery effort; and

WHEREAS, More than $2 billion in relief funds are expected to be needed to fully help the nation of Turkey recover from this natural disaster; and

WHEREAS, Turkey is regularly hit by violent earthquakes; and

WHEREAS, The people of Turkey have displayed courage, strength, and determination in the aftermath of the earthquake; and

WHEREAS, The people of the State of Illinois and the nation of Turkey have developed a strong relationship based on mutual respect and interest; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we express our sympathy for all those affected by the 2011 Van earthquake and share the distress and despair of the people of Turkey over this tragedy; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Niagara Foundation, to be transmitted to the Republic of Turkey.