SPONSOR:

Sen. McDowell & Sen. McBride, on behalf of all Senators

Rep. George, on behalf of all Representatives

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

146th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 3

MOURNING THOSE LOST IN THE RECENT EARTHQUAKE AND RELATED DISASTERS THAT HAVE BEFALLEN JAPAN, AND EXPRESSING THE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS OF ALL DELAWAREANS FOR THE CITIZENS OF OUR SISTER STATE OF MIYAGI PREFECTURE DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES.

WHEREAS, since 1997, the State of Delaware has enjoyed a special “Sister State” relationship with Japan’s Miyagi Prefecture, originally created under the auspices of the International Council of Delaware, then headed by former State Senator Andrew G. Knox; and

WHEREAS, during the course of the Miyagi—Delaware relationship, many citizens of the two regions have developed warm and lasting personal relationships; and

WHEREAS, on March 11, 2011, Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan, its city of Sendai, and the surrounding region were devastated by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and a subsequent major tsunami, causing major damage and the loss of life of many residents; and

WHEREAS, even as area residents struggle to recover from the terrible losses resulting from the earthquake and tsunami, they face continuing dangers from the devastation of the nearby Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant where, even as this resolution is being enacted by the Delaware General Assembly, heroic officials of the power plant struggle at great personal risk to control radiation leaking from the damaged facility; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Delaware, America’s First State, join the citizens of their Sister State of Miyagi Prefecture in mourning the loss of their loved ones and the injuries and property losses sustained by so many families; and

WHEREAS, the many Delawareans who have travelled to Miyagi Prefecture over the years and who have been privileged to host visitors from that area in their own homes during regular student exchanges are especially pained by the losses their friends have experienced; and

WHEREAS, Delaware Governor Jack A. Markell announced on Friday, March 18, 2011, the creation of a nonprofit fund, to be known as the “Delaware Fund for Miyagi, Japan,” for the purpose of receiving donations to help fund relief and recovery efforts in Miyagi Prefecture; and

WHEREAS, Governor Markell urged individual Delaware citizens, and Delaware businesses and community organizations to assist the citizens of our Sister State of Miyagi Prefecture in any way possible in supporting relief and recovery efforts; and

WHEREAS, the governor expressed pride in the outpouring of support from Delawareans and noted, “This shows that Delaware really is a state of neighbors, even when our neighbors are a world away”;

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 146th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, with the approval of the governor, that we do hereby extend to the citizens of our Sister State of Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, on behalf of all Delawareans, the deepest condolences to those whose loved ones have been lost or injured, together with prayers for the health and safety of all residents of the affected areas.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we do hereby pledge ourselves, and urge all Delawareans to join us in so doing, to do all in our power to extend a helping hand to the citizens of our Sister State in this, their time of great need.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Delawareans are urged to contribute as much as they are able to the “Delaware Fund for Miyagi, Japan,” and to give as generously as possible of their time and talent in assisting relief and recovery efforts in our Sister State.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that suitable copies of this Senate Concurrent Resolution be conveyed to the Honorable Yoshihiro Murai, Governor of Miyagi Prefecture, upon its enactment.