Introduction of the Citizen and Community Preparedness Act of 2008

INTRODUCTION OF THE CITIZEN AND COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS ACT OF 2008 -- (Extensions of Remarks - April 24, 2008)

SPEECH OF
HON. HENRY CUELLAR
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2008

* Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Citizen and Community Preparedness Act of 2008, which reaffirms the Federal Government's commitment to helping our communities prepare for and respond to acts of terrorism, natural disasters and other emergencies.

* I am glad to be joined today in introducing this bipartisan bill by the Ranking Member of my Subcommittee--the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response--the gentleman from Pennsylvania, CHARLIE DENT.

* I am also pleased to have Homeland Security Committee Chairman BENNIE THOMPSON, as well as Congresswoman SHEILA JACKSON LEE, as original cosponsors of this legislation. They are true leaders in the area of emergency preparedness and have been instrumental in the drafting of this bill.

* If a disaster--whether large or small--occurs in a community, local responders and disaster-relief organizations will be there to help, but citizens need to be ready as well.

* In fact, when individual citizens, families and communities are prepared, the fear, anxiety, and loss that accompany disasters is substantially minimized.

* It is imperative that citizens know what to do in the event of an emergency and be ready to either shelter in place or evacuate their homes.

* People must be ready to care for their basic needs should they be displaced for a period of time.

* As we move toward the 3-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the 7-year anniversary of 9/11, we must not lose sight of the lessons learned from these disasters.

* While I recognize that the most effective emergency preparedness programs and messages are delivered locally and not from Washington, we must ensure that the Department of Homeland Security is working with State and local partners, providing them with the tools they need to get the message out.

* Following the tragic events that occurred on September 11, 2001, Federal, State and local government officials agreed that the formula for ensuring a more secure and safer homeland consists of preparedness, training, and citizen involvement in supporting first responders.

* As a result, the Citizen Corps Program and Ready campaigns were created.

* To date, with limited resources available, over 2,000 communities in all 56 States and territories have established Citizen Corps Councils to help inform and train citizens in emergency preparedness, and promote volunteerism.

* However, I think these programs can be improved.

* The legislation I am introducing today formally authorizes the Citizen Corps Program and provides it with the necessary funding to be effective.

* It also authorizes key Citizen Corps components administered by the Department of Homeland Security--Fire Corps and CERT.

* Fire Corps promotes the use of volunteers to assist fire and rescue departments in non-operational roles such as fire safety outreach, youth programs, and administrative support.

* The Community Emergency Response Team, CERT, program concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985 and has since spread to over 1,000 communities nationwide.

* Under the CERT Program citizens are training citizens in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

* As our Nation continues to glean lessons from the catastrophic events of Hurricane Katrina, the Federal Government must ensure that preparedness efforts help our Nation's most vulnerable populations.

* To that end, this legislation requires the Secretary to work closely with organizations representing the elderly, the disabled, the hearing and visually impaired, communities with language and income barriers, and children to promote preparedness.

* This legislation will also create a pilot program to enhance citizen preparedness at primary and secondary schools, as well as on university or college campuses, by providing training, exercises, and public awareness campaigns.

* Finally, my bill directs the Secretary to carry out a public affairs campaign utilizing diverse media outlets to get the word out to the public to assist them in preparing for acts of terrorism and other emergencies.

* Addressing the issue of citizen preparedness continues to be a major issue for our Nation.

* In fact, the National Governors' Association 2007 State Homeland Security Directors Survey, which polled the 56 State and territorial homeland security advisors, cited citizen preparedness as one of the top 5 priorities for their States.

* It is now time to stop paying lip service to the issue of citizen and community preparedness and to start acting.

* In closing Madam Speaker, let me say that our citizens' lack of preparedness is often cited as an impediment to an effective emergency response. I believe this legislation will make strides to change that fact and I urge my colleagues to support it.

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