[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 107 (Friday, August 5, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 5, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     FOREST FIRES IN THE NORTHWEST

  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, the fires burning in central Washington 
State have captured national attention, and the devastation left behind 
now deserves national assistance. During the prime tourist seasons, the 
town of Leavenworth and the resort of Lake Clelan have suffered untold 
economic damage from the out-of-control forest fires. In addition to 
the destruction of the landscape, the fires have destroyed jobs and 
economic opportunities that will impact the entire region. The hard-
working people of central Washington do not often ask for Federal 
assistance, but Mother Nature has made such aid impossible to do 
without.
  It is my understanding that the Department of Labor has two programs 
that can help these communities immediately. Mr. President, those 
programs can help central Washingtonians get back on their feet. They 
do not ask for much, and we must be willing to act as heroically as 
they have fought the fires.
  It is my understanding that once the Governor has asked for the 
assistance, it will be forthcoming within 24 hours. As a member of the 
subcommittee that appropriates funds for the Department of Labor, this 
Senator will see to it that the Department of Labor responds.
  Mrs. MURRAY. I wish to add my voice to the comments of the senior 
Senator from Washington. These fires hit hard, they hit fast, and they 
are still burning. Damage reports are already streaming in: 94 
buildings, including 38 homes, have been consumed; over 160,000 acres 
of prime wilderness and forestlands are now blackened. People are 
hurting, and it may get worse.
  It is very important at this point that we send a clear signal that 
help is available for rebuilding and cleaning up. Does the chairman 
concur that emergency Department of Labor programs are available now--
with fiscal year 1994 reserves--to help our communities respond to this 
emergency?
  Mr. HARKIN. The Senators from the great State of Washington are 
correct. I sympathize with your plight. Last year, when the great State 
of Iowa was experiencing the flooding disaster, the Department of Labor 
provided funding under the JTPA special emergency assistance program 
which allowed us to hire individuals to work on projects to help 
restore their communities from the devastation.
  Mrs. MURRAY. What does this program provide for?
  Mr. HARKIN. This program employs dislocated workers to assist with 
the clean-up, reconstruction and restoration activities that enable the 
resumption of regular employment. These special temporary jobs may also 
facilitate the provision of much needed humanitarian assistance to 
victims of the disaster. these temporary jobs may be in public or 
private nonprofit agencies, and may last for up to 6 months. 
Individuals who work in these special temporary jobs may earn as much 
as $12,000 in base wages.
  These funds may also be used to provide reemployment services and 
retraining activities for workers dislocated by the natural disaster 
who are unable to return to their previous employment. While priority 
is given to workers who are dislocated by the disaster--in this case, 
the fires--long-term unemployed workers may also participate in such 
disaster employment programs.
  Mr. GORTON. We understand that the Secretary of Labor can respond to 
requests for emergency assistance quickly.
  Mr. HARKIN. That's true. The Department of Labor has developed an 
expedited application process that States may use to access these 
special funds. It is my understanding that the Department of Labor is 
waiting to respond to a request from Governor Lowry which meets the 
requirements for such assistance. Based on my State's experience, 
funding can be provided in 24 hours or less.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Are there other services available from the Department 
of Labor to assist us address the needs of the citizens of the great 
State of Washington who are being affected by this disaster?
  Mr. HARKIN. Yes there are. If a presidential disaster declaration has 
been made, individuals who are unemployed as a result of the disaster 
are eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. In the case of 
workers who are not eligible for unemployment insurance, disaster 
unemployment assistance is available.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. We appreciate your 
assistance and sympathy with our situation.
  Mr. GORTON. I would like to thank the chairman as well for his 
assurances. The people of central Washington are grateful as well.

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