PROCLAMATION
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
WHEREAS, high ocean waves created by a seismic event, known as tsunami, have lately placed the lives, homes, and livelihoods of California’s coastal residents in grave peril; and
WHEREAS, since 1812, the coast of California has stood against the destructive fury of more than two dozen tsunamis, fifteen of which have exacted a grave toll in lives and property lost; and
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake near Honshu, Japan, generated a tsunami that claimed at least one life and tens of millions of dollars in property on the California coast; and
WHEREAS, education, preparedness, and warning systems, such as the Emergency Alert System, played a vital role in reducing these losses, as they have in past tsunami events; and
WHEREAS, during Tsunami Awareness and Preparedness Week, the California Emergency Management Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Weather Service, and local governments throughout California will participate in events designed to educate the public about the dangers of tsunamis; and
WHEREAS, I encourage all Californians to learn more about the tsunami threat and take steps, as appropriate, to secure their lives and property against future tsunami events.
THEREFORE I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim the week of March 21-27, 2011, as “Tsunami Awareness and Preparedness Week.”
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 21st day of March 2011.
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EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor of California
ATTEST:
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DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State