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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Words cannot adequately convey the deep sorrow felt |
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by all Texans over the devastation caused by the two powerful |
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earthquakes that shook Nepal in the spring of 2015, killing more |
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than 8,600 people; and |
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WHEREAS, On April 25, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the |
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nation, claiming over 8,000 lives, injuring tens of thousands of |
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people, and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless; less than three |
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weeks later, that disaster was followed by a magnitude 7.3 |
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earthquake that caused more death and destruction; the second quake |
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hit particularly hard in remote parts of the Himalayan foothills, |
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creating major landslides that blocked roads and prevented aid from |
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quickly reaching villages; and |
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WHEREAS, The loss of life in Nepal is staggering, and the |
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country is badly hobbled by the damage to crucial infrastructure; |
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the government has estimated the cost of reconstruction at $7 |
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billion, a third of the nation's gross domestic product; the |
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collapse of about 6,000 school buildings may cause prolonged |
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interruption to the education of children, and the vital tourism |
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industry has been battered; hotels are in shambles, trekking routes |
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have been wiped out, Kathmandu's World Heritage site lies in ruins, |
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and over 600 temples, statues, and museums across the country have |
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sustained damage; and |
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WHEREAS, In facing tremendous hardships, the people of Nepal |
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have demonstrated remarkable compassion, resilience, and |
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generosity; the strong spirit of community is evidenced by the tens |
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of thousands of Nepalese who have returned to remote villages to |
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help rebuild, including many who had been living and working |
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abroad; and |
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WHEREAS, Residents of the Lone Star State are deeply inspired |
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by the courage, grace, and determination of the Nepali people, and |
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as we mourn for those who were lost, we pay tribute to the |
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tremendous fortitude of the survivors; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby express its sorrow over the devastation caused |
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by the earthquakes in Nepal and honor the valor and altruism of the |
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nation's people as they work together to recover from this tragedy. |