U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (NJ-08) was pleased to report that the full House passed a resolution he co-authored with U.S. Rep. Patrick Tiberi (R-OH-12), as co-chairmen of the Italian-American Congressional Delegation, and U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY-05), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
"I extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this disaster," stated Pascrell. "Homes and churches can be rebuilt, but we can never replace loved ones ," stated Pascrell. "After traveling to Italy earlier this year, I can attest to the resilience and strength of the Italian people. It is trying times like these that allow us to recognize the deep and binding ties between the United States and Italy. This tragedy only brings our two nations closer together. "
H.Res 430 expresses the condolences of the American people to the citizens of Italy, and offers support for the Government of Italy in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck the Abruzzo region of central Italy.
The House took this action on the same day that Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister of Italy, was in Washington for meetings with U.S. federal officials, including a meeting on Monday afternoon in the U.S. Capitol with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Reps. Pascrell and Tiberi, to discuss issues such as the earthquake recovery, the war in Afghanistan, and the upcoming G-8 summit.