COMMENDATION OF UNITED STATES MILITARY PERSONNEL FOR PHILIPPINE EARTHQUAKE RELIEF EFFORT

SEC. 1472. COMMENDATION OF UNITED STATES MILITARY PERSONNEL FOR PHILIPPINE EARTHQUAKE RELIEF EFFORT (a) Findings.— Congress makes the following findings: (1) The members of the United States Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy serving in the Pacific region have given substantial and significant assistance to the Government and people of the Republic of the Philippines following a severe earthquake on July 16, 1990, in the Philippines which resulted in the deaths of over 1,600 people and severe dislocation and devastation. (2) United States military personnel stationed in the Philippines have traditionally exhibited a strong respect and admiration for the people of the Philippines. (3) A Marine Corps pilot was killed in a helicopter crash during an earthquake relief mission on July 20, 1990. (4) The United States Air Force has flown over 220 sorties, including medical evacuations, to assist in earthquake relief. (5) The Marine Corps has flown over 250 aircraft missions and has transported via helicopter over 1,000 Philippine nationals and more than 500,000 pounds of cargo. 104 STAT. 1704 (6) Navy medical personnel from the Subic Bay naval facility have provided critical medical assistance to those injured in the earthquake. (7) More than 1,140 tons of supplies and equipment have been airlifted to the Philippines or transported over land to Baguio City and Cabanatuan City, areas devastated by the earthquake. (8) Military civil engineering teams have restored more than half the damaged water systems and all of the electrical systems and have provided heavy equipment to aid in rescue operations. (9) 650 units of blood were donated by personnel of Clark Air Force Base and other Pacific Air Force bases and 120 units of blood were donated by personnel of the Subic Bay Naval Facility. (b) Sense of Congress.— It is the sense of Congress— (1) that the earthquake relief assistance provided by United States military forces has played an essential role in the Philippine recovery from the July 16, 1990, earthquake; and (2) that those members of the United States Armed Forces and their dependents who have assisted in Philippine earthquake relief should be commended by Congress for their considerable efforts on behalf of the Philippine people in their recovery efforts.