[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 42 (Thursday, April 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E625]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATION ACT 
                           OF 1997, H.R. 1272

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVEN SCHIFF

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 1997

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues Mssrs. 
Sensenbrenner, Brown, and Barcia to introduce a bipartisan bill to 
authorize the programs of the United States Fire Administration [USFA]. 
This small agency, housed in the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 
provides vital assistance to the Nation's fire and emergency services 
communities which helps them to save lives and property. The USFA is 
able to perform this service through its four primary missions: fire 
service training; fire-related data collection and analysis; public 
education and awareness; and research and technology.
  Through the efforts of the USFA as a partner with State and local 
fire and emergency service communities, fire deaths and injuries and 
property losses are down. For a relatively small amount of money, these 
programs provide the men and women of the fire service the necessary 
leg up that enables them to achieve the seemingly insurmountable 
obstacles they face every day as the first line of defense in the fight 
against fire and arson.
  This 2-year authorization bill establishes funding levels sufficient 
to preserve all the missions and functions of the United States Fire 
Administration and the National Fire Academy [NFA], which is 
administered by the USFA. Specifically, the bill provides a 3-percent 
increase over the administration's fiscal year 1998 requested level and 
a 3-percent increase in fiscal year 1999. We believe this additional 
money is necessary in order to ensure that the agency can continue its 
current mission activities as well as perform a new counterrerrorism 
training function.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud the efforts of the USFA and the NFA, and I 
believe this bill, as a reflection of the bipartisan support for these 
agencies, will enable them to continue their missions and accomplish 
their goals.

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