[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 295 Engrossed in House (EH)]








H. Res. 295

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                    September 27, 2006.
Whereas recent student housing fires in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and 
        Maryland have tragically cut short the lives of some of the youth of our 
        Nation;
Whereas since January 2000, at least 75 people, including students, parents, and 
        children have died in student housing fires;
Whereas over three-fourths of these deaths have occurred in off-campus 
        occupancies;
Whereas a majority of the students across the Nation live in off-campus 
        occupancies;
Whereas a number of fatal fires have occurred in buildings where the fire safety 
        systems have been compromised or disabled by the occupants;
Whereas it is recognized that automatic fire alarm systems provide the necessary 
        early warning to occupants and the fire department of a fire so that 
        appropriate action can be taken;
Whereas it is recognized that automatic fire sprinkler systems are a highly 
        effective method of controlling or extinguishing a fire in its early 
        stages, protecting the lives of the building's occupants;
Whereas many students are living in off-campus occupancies, Greek housing, and 
        residence halls that are not adequately protected with automatic fire 
        sprinkler systems and automatic fire alarm systems;
Whereas it is recognized that fire safety education is an effective method of 
        reducing the occurrence of fires and reducing the resulting loss of life 
        and property damage;
Whereas students are not routinely receiving effective fire safety education 
        throughout their entire college career;
Whereas it is vital to educate the future generation of our Nation about the 
        importance of fire safety behavior so that these behaviors can help to 
        ensure their safety during their college years and beyond; and
Whereas by developing a generation of fire-safe adults, future loss of life from 
        fires can be significantly reduced: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the establishment of September as Campus Fire Safety 
        Month;
            (2) encourages administrators and municipalities across the country 
        to provide educational programs to all students during September and 
        throughout the school year; and
            (3) encourages administrators and municipalities to evaluate the 
        level of fire safety being provided in both on- and off-campus student 
        housing and take the necessary steps to ensure fire-safe living 
        environments through fire safety education, installation of fire 
        suppression and detection systems and the development and enforcement of 
        applicable codes relating to fire safety.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.