IV 108th CONGRESS 2d Session H. CON. RES. 489 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 9, 2004 Mr. Cox (for himself and Ms. Harman) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Supporting the goals and ideals of National Preparedness Month.

Whereas devastating acts, such as the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, have left many Americans concerned about the possibility of future terrorist incidents and their potential impact; Whereas terrorists are attempting to acquire or develop weapons of mass destruction, such as biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological weapons; Whereas terrorist attacks and other emergencies have, and can again, disrupt hundreds of thousands of lives, resulting in significant numbers of casualties, causing serious damage to buildings and our Nation’s infrastructure, and costing billions of dollars; Whereas the Department of Homeland Security and other Federal, State, and local entities have been working diligently to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks and other emergencies; Whereas all Americans can assist in promoting the Nation’s overall emergency preparedness by preparing themselves and their families for terrorist attacks and other emergencies; Whereas Americans can prepare for the unexpected by, among other things, assembling an emergency supply kit, developing a family emergency communications plan, and keeping informed about possible emergencies; Whereas additional information about citizen preparedness can be obtained through the Department of Homeland Security’s Ready campaign, by telephone at 1-800-BE-READY, and on the Internet at www.Ready.gov; Whereas the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Education, the America Prepared Campaign, the American Red Cross, and a coalition of more than 50 national organizations will launch National Preparedness Month on September 9, 2004; Whereas all 56 State and territorial governors have pledged to mark National Preparedness Month with local events; and Whereas the designation of National Preparedness Month will promote public awareness about the numerous ways that Americans can better prepare themselves and our Nation for terrorist attacks and other emergencies: Now, therefore, be it

That the Congress— (1)supports the goals and ideals of National Preparedness Month; (2)supports the designation of National Preparedness Month; and (3)urges the Federal Government, States, localities, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, other entities, and the people of the United States to observe National Preparedness Month with appropriate events and activities that promote citizen and community preparedness for terrorist attacks and other emergencies.