HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2024-4677

HR 4677

ByRepresentative Donaghy

WHEREAS, The State of Washington is concerned about the well-being and safety of its residents and businesses, and seeks to provide resilient communities, where resilience is defined as a community's ability to withstand chronic stresses and acute shocks while still maintaining essential functions and recovering quickly and effectively; and

WHEREAS, Extreme weather events are occurring more frequently; and

WHEREAS, The State of Washington sits on the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a 1,000 kilometer long subduction zone stretching from British Columbia to Oregon and could generate a 9.0 magnitude earthquake; and

WHEREAS, Access to energy during and soon after a natural disaster can improve recovery timelines and maintain access to critical services such as health care, food, and drinking water; and

WHEREAS, The domestic maritime industry has a history of first response actions in the event of a disaster, including removing over 500,000 people from lower Manhattan during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and delivering food, water, baby formula, fuel, electrical generators, and more to Maui after the devastating wildfires of August 2023; and

WHEREAS, The domestic maritime industry in Washington State employs 22,500 men and women that generate $1.5 billion in labor income; and

WHEREAS, The domestic maritime industry in Washington State stands ready to serve Washington residents in the event of natural disaster; and

WHEREAS, The domestic maritime industry is a critical component to the economy of Washington State and its ability to recover rapidly from natural disasters;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House affirm its resolute support for the domestic maritime industry's ability to serve Washingtonians in the event of a natural disaster.