[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 39 (Monday, April 3, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E475]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             2000 EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 29, 2000

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3908) making 
     emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 2000, and for other purposes:

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Chairman, in 1973, the National Commission on Fire 
Prevention and Control issued its ``America Burining'' report. For the 
fire service this was a turning point in its 350 year history and led 
to the creation of the United States Fire Administration.
  Today is another such turning point because this afternoon we will 
see a renewed Federal commitment to the fire service. I will get into 
the details in a moment but first I would like to thank a few of my 
colleagues for their leadership.
  First, is my good friend from Pennsylvania Curt Weldon. As all of you 
know, Representative Weldon is the founder of the Fire Caucus and has 
done more to advance the cause of first responders than any other 
Member in Congress.
  Secondly, I would like to thank my friend from New Jersey 
Representative Bill Pascrell. Congressman Pascrell is the sponsor of 
the FIRE Act, H.R. 1168. The FIRE Act has energized the fire service 
and the grant provisions to our first responders included in the 
amendment today are largely derived from his legislation.
  Finally, are my Fire Caucus Co-chairs. Representative Rob Andrews and 
Representative Sherry Boehlert, and Representatives Nick Smith who 
serves as Chairman of the Basic Research Subcommittee of the Science 
Committee. All of them have worked very hard to get us here today.
  Mr. Chairman, as I said before this is a watershed moment for the 
fire service. The proposed amendment does four very important things 
for the fire service. First, it makes available $10 million for the 
Volunteer Fire Assistance program. This program helps fire departments 
in rural and suburban areas prepare for and fight wildfires.
  The second component is $10 million for a competitive grant program 
administered by FEMA for burn prevention, research, and treatment. This 
money will be used by groups like Safe Kid, AARP, and NFPA to prevent 
fires before they start.
  Groups like the International Association of Fire Fighters will be 
able to apply for the money to augment their very successful burn camp. 
Unlike other accident victims, burn survivors are often permanently 
disfigured and require extensive physical therapy, job re-training and 
counseling.
  The fourth item is the $80 million that will be made available to 
fire fighter health and safety. Sadly, every year roughly 100 fire 
fighters are killed in the line of duty. This money will be used to 
purchase turnout gear, communications equipment, promote fire fighter 
fitness, increase training, and enforce the fire codes.
  Mr. Chairman, I want to urge all of my colleagues to support this 
amendment.

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