[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 752 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 752

Recognizing and honoring the first responders and those who lost their 
 lives in the Maui wildfires in August 2023 that affected thousands of 
                                people.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 29, 2023

     Ms. Tokuda (for herself and Mr. Case) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and 
                             Accountability

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing and honoring the first responders and those who lost their 
 lives in the Maui wildfires in August 2023 that affected thousands of 
                                people.

Whereas, on August 8, 2023, a series of wildfires, fueled by abnormally strong 
        winds due to Hurricane Dora and a high-pressure system in the North 
        Pacific Ocean, broke out on the island of Maui, specifically the Lahaina 
        area in West Maui and the Olinda, Kula, and Pulehu-Kihei areas of 
        Upcountry Maui;
Whereas almost 7,000 acres of land have burned as a result of the wildfires on 
        Maui;
Whereas the wildfire that occurred in West Maui in the historic town of Lahaina 
        is now the deadliest wildfire to occur in the United States in more than 
        a century and one of the worst natural disasters in Hawaii's history;
Whereas, as of September 15, 2023, 97 fatalities from the wildfires have been 
        confirmed and as of September 22, 2023, 22 people remain officially 
        unaccounted for;
Whereas more than 7,000 people have been displaced;
Whereas approximately 2,200 structures have been damaged or destroyed;
Whereas more than 1,900 homes burned down;
Whereas brave people raced into the wildfires to save their community while 
        their own homes burned to the ground;
Whereas nearly 1,000 businesses were destroyed;
Whereas four schools were impacted by the wildfires, one of which, King 
        Kamehameha III Elementary School, was damaged beyond repair, displacing 
        hundreds of staff members and thousands of students;
Whereas it is estimated that billions of dollars will be necessary to repair the 
        damaged areas in West Maui;
Whereas Lahaina was the one-time capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii and still has 
        great cultural and historical significance, particularly to the Native 
        Hawaiian community;
Whereas additional local, State, and Federal emergency personnel, such as law 
        enforcement and medical personnel, coordinated with local authorities 
        and have performed beyond the call of duty in the preservation and 
        protection of human lives;
Whereas hundreds of volunteers gave their time to help ensure that evacuees are 
        sheltered, clothed, fed, and emotionally comforted through this 
        traumatic event; and
Whereas people across the United States and around the world have responded with 
        an outpouring of support for the people of Maui: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) honors those who lost their lives in the deadly 
        wildfires on Maui;
            (2) recognizes the efforts and sacrifices of the first 
        responders who risked their lives to respond to the wildfires;
            (3) honors the bravery and heroism of the people who have 
        assisted with and continue to respond to the wildfires;
            (4) expresses full support for the communities of West and 
        Upcountry Maui, as those communities focus on recovery and 
        rebuilding areas and communities affected by wildfires;
            (5) urges the people and communities of Hawaii and the 
        United States to act diligently in preventing and preparing for 
        wildfires; and
            (6) encourages the people of the United States to keep in 
        their thoughts the individuals who have suffered as a result of 
        the wildfires.
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