Download This Version in Microsoft Word format
TO EXPRESS THE SINCERE REGRET AND DEEP CONCERN OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY OVER THE TORRENTIAL RAINS AND SEVERE FLOODING THAT HAVE DEVASTATED MUCH OF THE STATE OF QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA, AND TO OFFER PRAYERS AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE RESOLUTE AND INDOMITABLE PEOPLE OF QUEENSLAND.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly are indeed saddened to learn of the destructive rains and floods that have engulfed the beautiful land of Queensland, Australia, and endangered lives, property, and livelihood of our friends there; and
Whereas, in 1999 under the leadership of then Governor James Hodges and Queensland Premier Peter Beattie, South Carolina and Queensland, Australia, signed their mutual Sister State Agreement to focus on business opportunities and to strengthen educational and cultural relations between the two states; and
Whereas, among the many similarities between the two states, both have a population near four million, share the same language, aggressively pursue trade opportunities through their major ports, enjoy robust tourism industries centered around world-renowned beauty, pursue similar scientific research coupled with an entrepreneurial spirit to promote the same, and rely on agricultural, forestry, and fisheries industries as major economic components; and
Whereas, the recent rain and flooding of almost biblical proportions have produced devastating personal losses and destruction of infrastructure both public and private and are sure to cost billions of dollars in order to reconstruct houses, towns, public infrastructure, railway lines, and bridges; and
Whereas, covering an area larger than the size of Germany and France combined will doubtless impact the rate of depression especially in the farming and rural sections of Queensland which is already alarmingly high; and
Whereas, pollution from the floodwaters will affect parts of the Great Barrier Reef, which scientists estimate may take up to fifteen years to recover, and the global impact of the flood includes the loss of supply of coking coal from Queensland essential to the production of steel worldwide; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly recognize the impact of this tragedy both to the people of Queensland and to the global community and sincerely express the concern of the Palmetto State. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, express their sincere regret and deep concern over the torrential rains and severe flooding that have devastated much of the state of Queensland, Australia, and offer prayers and encouragement to the resolute and indomitable people of Queensland.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Queensland Premier Anna Bligh.
This web page was last updated on January 27, 2011 at 1:47 PM