WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate has unanimously approved a resolution cosponsored by U.S. Senators Roger Wicker and Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) to express the Senate’s condolences to the families of the 11 Deepwater Horizon Crew members who are lost and presumed deceased, as well as the 17 people who were injured in the April 20 explosion.

As approved by the Senate, S.Res. 523 reads:

“Honoring the crew members who perished aboard the offshore oil rig, Deepwater Horizon, and extending the condolences of the Senate to the families and loved ones of the deceased crew members.

“Whereas oil and natural gas are necessary commodities for the United States;

“Whereas a drill ship, the Deepwater Horizon, was drilling in 5,000 feet of water approximately 50 miles off the coast of Louisiana, in the Gulf of Mexico;

“Whereas on April 20, 2010, a terrible explosion occurred aboard the Deepwater Horizon;

“Whereas 126 men and women were on board the Deepwater Horizon at the time of the explosion;

“Whereas 11 men remain missing, and are presumed dead;

“Whereas 17 people were injured, 3 of them critically; and

“Whereas the United States is greatly indebted to oil rig crewmen for the serious physical risks, difficult periods of separation from their families, and supremely challenging engineering tasks endured to produce much-needed energy for the Nation:

“Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Senate honors the crew members who perished aboard the offshore oil rig, Deepwater Horizon; and expresses sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased crew members.”

The resolution was offered by Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss., )Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), David Vitter (R-La.), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas),  John Cornyn (R-Texas), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

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