Georgia Delegation Honors Georgia Flood Victims

Rec'd from U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland:

Along with all his colleagues in the Georgia delegation, U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland today brought a resolution to the floor honoring the victims of the recent Georgia floods and praising the emergency rescue workers on the front lines of the recovery effort.

“This past week, the floods have ruined homes, damaged schools and roads and, most tragically, taken innocent lives,” Westmoreland said. “We have those families in our thoughts and prayers. We also owe a great debt to all the emergency workers who manned the battle stations during this crisis and saved lives and property. We can’t thank them enough for the great work that they’ve done.

“Today’s resolution won’t ease the pain of the deaths, injuries and losses that we’ve experienced. It’s simply an acknowledgement of Georgia’s struggle and a show of solidarity from all across the nation.”

The resolution, below, passed the House unanimously.

111TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION H. RES. ll

Expressing condolences to the families of the individuals killed during unusual storms and floods in the State of Georgia between September 18 and 21, 2009, and expressing gratitude to all of the emergency personnel who continue to work with unyielding determination to meet the needs of Georgia’s residents.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on _________

RESOLUTION

Expressing condolences to the families of the individuals killed during unusual storms and floods in the State of Georgia between September 18 and 21, 2009, and expressing gratitude to all of the emergency personnel who continue to work with unyielding determination to meet the needs of Georgia’s residents.

Whereas the State of Georgia has been hit by days of unusually strong storms that have resulted in downpours and flooding, beginning on September 18, 2009;

Whereas numerous Georgia rivers and creeks, including the Chattooga and Chattahoochee Rivers and Chickamauga Creek, swollen by days of rain, have overtopped their banks, creating a dangerous and deadly situation for nearby residents;

Whereas the storms and floods have taken human lives;

Whereas the floodwater has destroyed homes, flooded roadways, including major highways, compromised drinking water, severely damaged plumbing systems, and caused significant damage to homes and businesses;

Whereas on September 21, 2009, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency in 17 counties, including Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Crawford, DeKalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens, and Walker Counties;

Whereas the National Weather Service estimated that between 15 and 22 inches of rain have fallen in the metropolitan Atlanta counties of Gwinnett, Douglas, and Paulding between September 18 and 21, 2009;

Whereas the rains have broken a 130-year-old record at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport;

Whereas hundreds of Georgians have been evacuated from their homes and over 300 people are seeking refuge in shelters;

Whereas the Governor estimates that over 1,000 residences are seriously flooded;

Whereas the weather has closed schools in several counties;

Whereas as many as tens of thousands of people are without power in metropolitan Atlanta;

Whereas search and rescue operations are continuing in several counties where the water continues to rise;

Whereas the Georgia Emergency Management Agency has coordinated with local emergency personnel and has worked tirelessly to protect human lives and rescue those threatened by the floods;

Whereas the Georgia Emergency Management Agency continues to facilitate requests for assistance from citizens and first responders all across the State of Georgia;

Whereas the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and other first responders have acted valiantly in life safety response operations, including delivering sandbags and rescuing people trapped in their cars and homes from the floodwater;

Whereas the Federal Emergency Management Agency has activated its national and regional response coordination centers and is working closely with the State of Georgia to monitor the response efforts and identify and respond to any immediate emergency needs for the citizens and
communities of the State that are impacted by these devastating floods; and

Whereas volunteers are giving their time to help ensure that evacuees are sheltered, clothed, fed, and comforted through this traumatic event: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
2 (1) offers its deepest sympathy and condolences
3 to the families of those who lost their lives in the
4 flooding in the State of Georgia;
5 (2) expresses its condolences to the families
6 who lost their homes and other property in the
7 floods;

1 (3) expresses gratitude and appreciation to the
2 people of the State of Georgia and the surrounding
3 States, who continue to work to protect people from
4 the still rising floodwaters;
5 (4) expresses its support as the Federal Emer
6 gency Management Agency continues its efforts to
7 respond to any needs of the citizens and commu
8 nities affected by the flooding; and
9 (5) honors the emergency responders, within
10 and beyond metropolitan Atlanta and the State of
11 Georgia, for their bravery and sacrifice during this
12 tragedy.

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Dog Tethering Prohibited in Fulton County Beginning September 4

Residents who chain or tether dogs to fixed objects while they are unattended must find an alternative means of restraining their pets beginning September 4, 2009. In March, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to ban the practice of chaining or tethering dogs. District 2, At-Large Commissioner Robb Pitts sponsored the resolution.

The introduction of the amendment attracted dozens of animal advocates who supported the ban. According to the Humane Society, “A dog kept chained in one spot for hours, days, months or even years suffers immense psychological damage. An otherwise friendly and docile dog, when kept continuously chained, becomes neurotic unhappy, anxious and often aggressive.”

Additionally, the Humane Society warns that tethering is dangerous to dogs because they become targets for other animals, humans and biting insects. Tethers can become entangled with other objects, which can choke or strangle dogs. Tethers can also cause dogs necks to become raw and covered with sores because of poorly fitted collars along with the animal straining against the collar in constant attempts to escape Collars can also become embedded in a dog’s neck without proper care and fitting.

Under the amended ordinance, dogs cannot be tethered to a fixed object unless held by an attendant or by the owner.

Options for properly restraining dogs include dog runs, mesh fencing and chain link fences. Chain link fences are stronger and more durable; however, residents of cities and unincorporated areas within Fulton are urged to check with their local governments for any required fencing permits and homeowners associations to determine the appropriate types of fencing before purchasing fencing or fence construction supplies.

For additional suggestions or supplies, owners should visit their local hardware or home improvement stores. Additionally, Barking Hound Village , the County’s Animal Services provider, has instructions for constructing appropriate fencing. Call 404-794-0358 or visit www.bhvf.org.

For more information on the dog-tethering ban in Fulton County , contact the Department of Environment and Community Development’s Code Enforcement Division at 404-612-2723.

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