[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S4130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL ARSON AWARENESS WEEK

 Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I rise today to highlight National 
Arson Awareness Week, a massive community based arson prevention 
program sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA], 
which began Sunday, May 4, and continues through Saturday, May 10.
  This program is of particular importance to me because a city in my 
own State--Macon, GA--has been chosen as one of the three pilot cities. 
The program will focus on a week of special events aimed at educating 
high-risk neighborhoods on how to prevent arson and on the importance 
of getting community members involved. The success of this program is 
vital not only in Macon but in the other two pilot cities, Charlotte, 
NC, and Utica, NY, because they will serve as models for future 
American cities.
  National Arson Awareness Week was inspired by the national arson 
prevention initiative, which was announced by President Clinton on June 
19, 1996, in response to the rash of church burnings, most of which 
occurred in the South. The President asked James Lee Witt, Director of 
FEMA, to coordinate, in partnership with the Department of Justice, the 
Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, available Federal, State, local, and private resources for 
arson prevention.
  Arson is a growing national problem. One out of every four fires in 
this country is intentionally set. Over 500,000 arson fires occur each 
year, causing an estimated 750 fatalities and over $2 billion in 
property damage.
  These acts of violence can destroy the very base of a community, but 
they can be prevented. Mr. President, I ask that you and all of my 
colleagues recognize this week and the three cities for taking firm 
hold of this problem and proudly pulling their communities together to 
prevent future arson fires.

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