Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 119.djvu/2672

 119 STAT. 2654

PUBLIC LAW 109–141—DEC. 22, 2005

Public Law 109–141 109th Congress An Act Dec. 22, 2005 [H.R. 4508]

Coast Guard Hurricane Relief Act of 2005.

To commend the outstanding efforts in response to Hurricane Katrina by members and employees of the Coast Guard, to provide temporary relief to certain persons affected by such hurricane with respect to certain laws administered by the Coast Guard, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Coast Guard Hurricane Relief Act of 2005’’. SEC. 2. COMMENDATION, RECOGNITION, AND THANKS FOR COAST GUARD PERSONNEL.

(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds the following: (1) On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf of Mexico coastal region of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, causing the worst natural disaster in United States history. (2) The Coast Guard strategically positioned its aircraft, vessels, and personnel the day before Hurricane Katrina made landfall and launched search and rescue teams within hours after Hurricane Katrina struck. (3) The Coast Guard moved its operations in areas threatened by Hurricane Katrina to higher ground and mobilized cutters, small boats, and aircraft from all around the United States to help in the response to Hurricane Katrina. (4) The response to Hurricane Katrina by members and employees of the Coast Guard has been immediate, invaluable, and courageous. (5) The Coast Guard rescued more than 33,000 people affected by Hurricane Katrina through the air and by water, including evacuations of hospitals, and has been at the center of efforts to restore commerce to areas affected by Hurricane Katrina by clearing shipping channels, replacing aids to navigation, and securing uprooted oil rigs. (6) The Coast Guard was at the forefront of the Federal response to the numerous oil and chemical spills in the area affected by Hurricane Katrina. (7) Members and employees of the Coast Guard— (A) have shown great leadership in helping to coordinate relief efforts with respect to Hurricane Katrina; (B) have used their expertise and specialized skills to provide immediate assistance to victims and survivors of the hurricane; and

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