[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S4131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            ARSON EDUCATION

 Mr. GLENN. Mr. President, arson poses a serious but 
preventable threat to our society. This week, the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency [FEMA] is launching a community-based campaign 
entitled, ``Target Arson.''
  Developed by FEMA in conjunction with the National Arson Prevention 
Initiative, ``Target Arson'' will educate young people on the dangers 
of fire, the importance of parental control of access to matches and 
cigarette lighters, and the need for adults to set good examples for 
children. I have long been a supporter of efforts to prevent and combat 
arson. During my second term in the Senate, I sponsored legislation 
that was enacted that requires the Federal Bureau of Investigation 
[FBI] to include arson statistics in its Uniform Crime Reports. This 
legislation increased our ability to detect, prevent, and prosecute 
arson crimes.
  One out of four fires is intentionally set. More than 500,000 fires 
were set deliberately last year, over one-half of which were set by 
juveniles. These fires killed more than 500 people and caused 
approximately $1 billion in property damage. Through this education 
campaign, ``Target Arson'' will emphasize the 100 percent preventable 
nature of this offense.
  Mr. President, I join FEMA and its director, James Lee Witt, in 
supporting this important educational program. I urge my colleagues to 
support arson education in the schools in their States.

                          ____________________