[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 136 (Thursday, October 26, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H11321-H11327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             FIRE ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2000

  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the resolution (H. Res. 655) providing for the consideration of the 
bill H.R. 1550 and the Senate amendment thereto.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 655

       Resolved, That, upon the adoption of this resolution, the 
     House shall be considered to have taken from the Speaker's 
     table the bill H.R. 1550 together with the Senate amendment 
     thereto, and to have concurred in the Senate amendment with 
     amendments as follows: In lieu of the matter proposed to be 
     inserted by the Senate amendment, insert the following:

               TITLE I--UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION

     SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Fire Administration 
     Authorization Act of 2000''.

     SEC. 102. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 17(g)(1) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control 
     Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2216(g)(1)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (G);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (H) 
     and inserting a semicolon; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(I) $44,753,000 for fiscal year 2001, of which $3,000,000 
     is for research activities, and $250,000 may be used for 
     contracts or grants to non-Federal entities for data 
     analysis, including general fire profiles and special fire 
     analyses and report projects, and of which $6,000,000 is for 
     anti-terrorism training, including associated curriculum 
     development, for fire and emergency services personnel;

[[Page H11322]]

       ``(J) $47,800,000 for fiscal year 2002, of which $3,250,000 
     is for research activities, and $250,000 may be used for 
     contracts or grants to non-Federal entities for data 
     analysis, including general fire profiles and special fire 
     analyses and report projects, and of which $7,000,000 is for 
     anti-terrorism training, including associated curriculum 
     development, for fire and emergency services personnel; and
       ``(K) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2003, of which $3,500,000 
     is for research activities, and $250,000 may be used for 
     contracts or grants to non-Federal entities for data 
     analysis, including general fire profiles and special fire 
     analyses and report projects, and of which $8,000,000 is for 
     anti-terrorism training, including associated curriculum 
     development, for fire and emergency services personnel.''.

     None of the funds authorized for the United States Fire 
     Administration for fiscal year 2002 may be obligated unless 
     the Administrator has verified to the Committee on Science of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate that the obligation 
     of funds is consistent with the strategic plan transmitted 
     under section 103 of this Act.

     SEC. 103. STRATEGIC PLAN.

       (a) Requirement.--Not later than April 30, 2001, the 
     Administrator of the United States Fire Administration shall 
     prepare and transmit to the Committee on Science of the House 
     of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation of the Senate a 5-year strategic plan of 
     program activities for the United States Fire Administration.
       (b) Contents of Plan.--The plan required by subsection (a) 
     shall include--
       (1) a comprehensive mission statement covering the major 
     functions and operations of the United States Fire 
     Administration in the areas of training; research, 
     development, test and evaluation; new technology and non-
     developmental item implementation; safety; counterterrorism; 
     data collection and analysis; and public education;
       (2) general goals and objectives, including those related 
     to outcomes, for the major functions and operations of the 
     United States Fire Administration;
       (3) a description of how the goals and objectives 
     identified under paragraph (2) are to be achieved, including 
     operational processes, skills and technology, and the human, 
     capital, information, and other resources required to meet 
     those goals and objectives;
       (4) an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of, 
     opportunities for, and threats to the United States Fire 
     Administration;
       (5) an identification of the fire-related activities of the 
     National Institute of Standards and Technology, the 
     Department of Defense, and other Federal agencies, and a 
     discussion of how those activities can be coordinated with 
     and contribute to the achievement of the goals and objectives 
     identified under paragraph (2);
       (6) a description of objective, quantifiable performance 
     goals needed to define the level of performance achieved by 
     program activities in training, research, data collection and 
     analysis, and public education, and how these performance 
     goals relate to the general goals and objectives in the 
     strategic plan;
       (7) an identification of key factors external to the United 
     States Fire Administration and beyond its control that could 
     affect significantly the achievement of the general goals and 
     objectives;
       (8) a description of program evaluations used in 
     establishing or revising general goals and objectives, with a 
     schedule for future program evaluations;
       (9) a plan for the timely distribution of information and 
     educational materials to State and local firefighting 
     services, including volunteer, career, and combination 
     services throughout the United States;
       (10) a description of how the strategic plan prepared under 
     this section will be incorporated into the strategic plan and 
     the performance plans and reports of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency;
       (11)(A) a description of the current and planned use of the 
     Internet for the delivery of training courses by the National 
     Fire Academy, including a listing of the types of courses and 
     a description of each course's provisions for real time 
     interaction between instructor and students, the number of 
     students enrolled, and the geographic distribution of 
     students, for the most recent fiscal year;
       (B) an assessment of the availability and actual use by the 
     National Fire Academy of Federal facilities suitable for 
     distance education applications, including facilities with 
     teleconferencing capabilities; and
       (C) an assessment of the benefits and problems associated 
     with delivery of instructional courses using the Internet, 
     including limitations due to network bandwidth at training 
     sites, the availability of suitable course materials, and the 
     effectiveness of such courses in terms of student 
     performance;
       (12) timeline for implementing the plan; and
       (13) the expected costs for implementing the plan.

     SEC. 104. RESEARCH AGENDA.

       (a) Requirement.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the United 
     States Fire Administration, in consultation with the Director 
     of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Director of 
     the National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
     representatives of trade, professional, and non-profit 
     associations, State and local firefighting services, and 
     other appropriate entities, shall prepare and transmit to the 
     Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate a report describing the United States Fire 
     Administration's research agenda and including a plan for 
     implementing that agenda.
       (b) Contents of Report.--The report required by subsection 
     (a) shall--
       (1) identify research priorities;
       (2) describe how the proposed research agenda will be 
     coordinated and integrated with the programs and capabilities 
     of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the 
     Department of Defense, and other Federal agencies;
       (3) identify potential roles of academic, trade, 
     professional, and non-profit associations, and other research 
     institutions in achieving the research agenda;
       (4) provide cost estimates, anticipated personnel needs, 
     and a schedule for completing the various elements of the 
     research agenda;
       (5) describe ways to leverage resources through 
     partnerships, cooperative agreements, and other means; and
       (6) discuss how the proposed research agenda will enhance 
     training, improve State and local firefighting services, 
     impact standards and codes, increase firefighter and public 
     safety, and advance firefighting techniques.
       (c) Use in Preparing Strategic Plan.--The research agenda 
     prepared under this section shall be used in the preparation 
     of the strategic plan required by section 103.

     SEC. 105. SURPLUS AND EXCESS FEDERAL EQUIPMENT.

       The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new section:

     ``SEC. 33. SURPLUS AND EXCESS FEDERAL EQUIPMENT.

       ``The Administrator shall make publicly available, 
     including through the Internet, information on procedures for 
     acquiring surplus and excess equipment or property that may 
     be useful to State and local fire, emergency, and hazardous 
     material handling service providers.''.

     SEC. 106. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS WITH FEDERAL FACILITIES.

       The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974, as 
     amended by section 105, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``SEC. 34. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS WITH FEDERAL FACILITIES.

       ``The Administrator shall make publicly available, 
     including through the Internet, information on procedures for 
     establishing cooperative agreements between State and local 
     fire and emergency services and Federal facilities in their 
     region relating to the provision of fire and emergency 
     services.''.

     SEC. 107. NEED FOR ADDITIONAL TRAINING IN COUNTERTERRORISM.

       (a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States 
     Fire Administration shall conduct an assessment of the need 
     for additional capabilities for Federal counterterrorism 
     training of emergency response personnel.
       (b) Contents of Assessment.--The assessment conducted under 
     this section shall include--
       (1) a review of the counterterrorism training programs 
     offered by the United States Fire Administration and other 
     Federal agencies;
       (2) an estimate of the number and types of emergency 
     response personnel that have, during the period between 
     January 1, 1994, and October 1, 1999, sought training 
     described in paragraph (1), but have been unable to receive 
     that training as a result of the oversubscription of the 
     training capabilities; and
       (3) a recommendation on the need to provide additional 
     Federal counterterrorism training centers, including--
       (A) an analysis of existing Federal facilities that could 
     be used as counterterrorism training facilities; and
       (B) a cost-benefit analysis of the establishment of such 
     counterterrorism training facilities.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall prepare and 
     submit to the Congress a report on the results of the 
     assessment conducted under this section.

     SEC. 108. WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE FIRE SAFETY 
                   RESEARCH PROGRAM.

       From the funds authorized to be appropriated by the 
     amendments made by section 102, $1,000,000 may be expended 
     for the Worcester Polytechnic Institute fire safety research 
     program.

     SEC. 109. INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION.

       Upon the conclusion of the research under a research grant 
     or award of $50,000 made with funds authorized by this title 
     (or any amendments made by this title), the Administrator of 
     the United States Fire Administration shall make available 
     through the Internet home page of the Administration a brief 
     summary of the results and importance of such research grant 
     or award. Nothing in this section shall be construed to 
     require or permit the release of any information prohibited 
     by law or regulation from being released to the public.

     SEC. 110. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS AND REPEALS.

       (a) 1974 Act.--
       (1) In general.--The Federal Fire Prevention and Control 
     Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) is amended--

[[Page H11323]]

       (A) by striking subsection (b) of section 10 (15 U.S.C. 
     2209) and redesignating subsection (c) of that section as 
     subsection (b);
       (B) by striking sections 26 and 27 (15 U.S.C. 2222; 2223);
       (C) by striking ``(a) The'' in section 24 (15 U.S.C. 2220) 
     and inserting ``The''; and
       (D) by striking subsection (b) of section 24.
       (2) References to secretary.--The Federal Fire Prevention 
     and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) is amended--
       (A) in section 4 (15 U.S.C. 2203)--
       (i) by inserting ``and'' after the semicolon in paragraph 
     (7);
       (ii) by striking paragraph (8); and
       (iii) by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph (8);
       (B) by striking ``Secretary'' and inserting ``Director''--
       (i) in section 5(b) (15 U.S.C. 2204(b));
       (ii) each place it appears in section 7 (15 U.S.C. 2206);
       (iii) the first place it appears in section 11(c) (15 
     U.S.C. 2210(c));
       (iv) in section 15(b)(2), (c), and (f) (15 U.S.C. 
     2214(b)(2), (c), and (f));
       (v) the second place it appears in section 15(e)(1)(A) (15 
     U.S.C. 2214(e)(1)(A));
       (vi) in section 16 (15 U.S.C. 2215);
       (vii) the second place it appears in section 19(a) (42 
     U.S.C. 290a(a));
       (viii) both places it appears in section 20 (15 U.S.C. 
     2217); and
       (ix) in section 21(c) (15 U.S.C. 2218(c)); and
       (C) in section 15, by striking ``Secretary's'' each place 
     it appears and inserting ``Director's''.
       (b) Department of Commerce.--Section 12 of the Act of 
     February 14, 1903 (15 U.S.C. 1511) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``and'' after ``Census;'' in paragraph 
     (5);
       (2) by striking paragraph (6); and
       (3) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (6).

     SEC. 111. NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY CURRICULUM REVIEW.

       (a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States 
     Fire Administration, in consultation with the Board of 
     Visitors and representatives of trade and professional 
     associations, State and local firefighting services, and 
     other appropriate entities, shall conduct a review of the 
     courses of instruction available at the National Fire Academy 
     to ensure that they are up-to-date and complement, not 
     duplicate, courses of instruction offered elsewhere. Not 
     later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
     the Administrator shall prepare and submit a report to the 
     Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate.
       (b) Contents of Report.--The report required by subsection 
     (a) shall--
       (1) examine and assess the courses of instruction offered 
     by the National Fire Academy;
       (2) identify redundant and out-of-date courses of 
     instruction;
       (3) examine the current and future impact of information 
     technology on National Fire Academy curricula, methods of 
     instruction, and delivery of services; and
       (4) make recommendations for updating the curriculum, 
     methods of instruction, and delivery of services by the 
     National Fire Academy considering current and future needs, 
     State-based curricula, advances in information technologies, 
     and other relevant factors.

     SEC. 112. REPEAL OF EXCEPTION TO FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENT.

       (a) Repeal.--Section 4 of Public Law 103-195 (107 Stat. 
     2298) is hereby repealed.
       (b) Effective Date.--Subsection (a) shall take effect 1 
     year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 113. NATIONAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION TECHNICAL 
                   CORRECTIONS.

       (a) Purposes.--Section 151302 of title 36, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
       ``(1) primarily--
       ``(A) to encourage, accept, and administer private gifts of 
     property for the benefit of the National Fallen Firefighters' 
     Memorial and the annual memorial service associated with the 
     memorial; and
       ``(B) to, in coordination with the Federal Government and 
     fire services (as that term is defined in section 4 of the 
     Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 
     2203)), plan, direct, and manage the memorial service 
     referred to in subparagraph (A);'';
       (2) by inserting ``and Federal'' in paragraph (2) after 
     ``non-Federal'';
       (3) in paragraph (3)--
       (A) by striking ``State and local'' and inserting 
     ``Federal, State, and local''; and
       (B) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon;
       (4) by striking ``firefighters.'' in paragraph (4) and 
     inserting ``firefighters;''; and
       (5) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) to provide for a national program to assist families 
     of fallen firefighters and fire departments in dealing with 
     line-of-duty deaths of those firefighters; and
       ``(6) to promote national, State, and local initiatives to 
     increase public awareness of fire and life safety.''.
       (b) Board of Directors.--Section 151303 of title 36, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking subsections (f) and (g) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(f) Status and Compensation.--
       ``(1) Appointment to the board shall not constitute 
     employment by or the holding of an office of the United 
     States.
       ``(2) Members of the board shall serve without 
     compensation.''; and
       (2) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (g).
       (c) Officers and Employees.--Section 151304 of title 36, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``not more than 2'' in subsection (a); and
       (2) by striking ``are not'' in subsection (b)(1) and 
     inserting ``shall not be considered''.
       (d) Support by the Administrator.--Section 151307(a)(1) of 
     title 36, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``The Administrator'' and inserting 
     ``During the 10-year period beginning on the date of 
     enactment of the Fire Administration Authorization Act of 
     2000, the Administrator''; and
       (2) by striking ``shall'' in subparagraph (B) and inserting 
     ``may''.

                 TITLE II--EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS REDUCTION

     SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Earthquake Hazards 
     Reduction Authorization Act of 2000''.

     SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Federal Emergency Management Agency.--Section 12(a)(7) 
     of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 
     7706(a)(7)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' after ``1998,''; and
       (2) by striking ``1999.'' and inserting ``1999; $19,861,000 
     for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, of which 
     $450,000 is for National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program-
     eligible efforts of an established multi-state consortium to 
     reduce the unacceptable threat of earthquake damages in the 
     New Madrid seismic region through efforts to enhance 
     preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation; $20,705,000 
     for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002; and 
     $21,585,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2003.''.
       (b) United States Geological Survey.--Section 12(b) of the 
     Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7706(b)) 
     is amended--
       (1) by inserting after ``operated by the Agency.'' the 
     following: ``There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
     Secretary of the Interior for purposes of carrying out, 
     through the Director of the United States Geological Survey, 
     the responsibilities that may be assigned to the Director 
     under this Act $48,360,000 for fiscal year 2001, of which 
     $3,500,000 is for the Global Seismic Network and $100,000 is 
     for the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee 
     established under section 210 of the Earthquake Hazards 
     Reduction Authorization Act of 2000; $50,415,000 for fiscal 
     year 2002, of which $3,600,000 is for the Global Seismic 
     Network and $100,000 is for the Scientific Earthquake Studies 
     Advisory Committee; and $52,558,000 for fiscal year 2003, of 
     which $3,700,000 is for the Global Seismic Network and 
     $100,000 is for the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory 
     Committee.'';
       (2) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (1);
       (3) by striking ``1999,'' at the end of paragraph (2) and 
     inserting ``1999;''; and
       (4) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
       ``(3) $9,000,000 of the amount authorized to be 
     appropriated for fiscal year 2001;
       ``(4) $9,250,000 of the amount authorized to be 
     appropriated for fiscal year 2002; and
       ``(5) $9,500,000 of the amount authorized to be 
     appropriated for fiscal year 2003,''.
       (c) Real-time Seismic Hazard Warning System.--Section 
     2(a)(7) of the Act entitled ``An Act To authorize 
     appropriations for carrying out the Earthquake Hazards 
     Reduction Act of 1977 for fiscal years 1998 and 1999, and for 
     other purposes'' (111 Stat. 1159; 42 U.S.C. 7704 nt) is 
     amended by striking ``1999.'' and inserting ``1999; 
     $2,600,000 for fiscal year 2001; $2,710,000 for fiscal year 
     2002; and $2,825,000 for fiscal year 2003.''.
       (d) National Science Foundation.--Section 12(c) of the 
     Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7706(c)) 
     is amended--
       (1) by striking ``1998, and'' and inserting ``1998,''; and
       (2) by inserting after ``1999.'' the following: ``There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to the National Science 
     Foundation $19,000,000 for engineering research and 
     $11,900,000 for geosciences research for fiscal year 2001; 
     $19,808,000 for engineering research and $12,406,000 for 
     geosciences research for fiscal year 2002; and $20,650,000 
     for engineering research and $12,933,000 for geosciences 
     research for fiscal year 2003.''.
       (e) National Institute of Standards and Technology.--
     Section 12(d) of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 
     (42 U.S.C. 7706(d)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``1998, and''; and inserting ``1998,''; and
       (2) by striking ``1999.'' and inserting ``1999, $2,332,000 
     for fiscal year 2001, $2,431,000 for fiscal year 2002, and 
     $2,534,300 for fiscal year 2003.''.

     SEC. 203. REPEALS.

       Section 10 and subsections (e) and (f) of section 12 of the 
     Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7705d and 
     7706 (e) and (f)) are repealed.

     SEC. 204. ADVANCED NATIONAL SEISMIC RESEARCH AND MONITORING 
                   SYSTEM.

       The Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 
     7701 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new section:

[[Page H11324]]

     ``SEC. 13. ADVANCED NATIONAL SEISMIC RESEARCH AND MONITORING 
                   SYSTEM.

       ``(a) Establishment.--The Director of the United States 
     Geological Survey shall establish and operate an Advanced 
     National Seismic Research and Monitoring System. The purpose 
     of such system shall be to organize, modernize, standardize, 
     and stabilize the national, regional, and urban seismic 
     monitoring systems in the United States, including sensors, 
     recorders, and data analysis centers, into a coordinated 
     system that will measure and record the full range of 
     frequencies and amplitudes exhibited by seismic waves, in 
     order to enhance earthquake research and warning 
     capabilities.
       ``(b) Management Plan.--Not later than 90 days after the 
     date of the enactment of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction 
     Authorization Act of 2000, the Director of the United States 
     Geological Survey shall transmit to the Congress a 5-year 
     management plan for establishing and operating the Advanced 
     National Seismic Research and Monitoring System. The plan 
     shall include annual cost estimates for both modernization 
     and operation, milestones, standards, and performance goals, 
     as well as plans for securing the participation of all 
     existing networks in the Advanced National Seismic Research 
     and Monitoring System and for establishing new, or enhancing 
     existing, partnerships to leverage resources.
       ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       ``(1) Expansion and modernization.--In addition to amounts 
     appropriated under section 12(b), there are authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior, to be used by 
     the Director of the United States Geological Survey to 
     establish the Advanced National Seismic Research and 
     Monitoring System--
       ``(A) $33,500,000 for fiscal year 2002;
       ``(B) $33,700,000 for fiscal year 2003;
       ``(C) $35,100,000 for fiscal year 2004;
       ``(D) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2005; and
       ``(E) $33,500,000 for fiscal year 2006.
       ``(2) Operation.--In addition to amounts appropriated under 
     section 12(b), there are authorized to be appropriated to the 
     Secretary of the Interior, to be used by the Director of the 
     United States Geological Survey to operate the Advanced 
     National Seismic Research and Monitoring System--
       ``(A) $4,500,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
       ``(B) $10,300,000 for fiscal year 2003.''.

     SEC. 205. NETWORK FOR EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING SIMULATION.

       The Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 
     7701 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``SEC. 14. NETWORK FOR EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING SIMULATION.

       ``(a) Establishment.--The Director of the National Science 
     Foundation shall establish the George E. Brown, Jr. Network 
     for Earthquake Engineering Simulation that will upgrade, 
     link, and integrate a system of geographically distributed 
     experimental facilities for earthquake engineering testing of 
     full-sized structures and their components and partial-scale 
     physical models. The system shall be integrated through 
     networking software so that integrated models and databases 
     can be used to create model-based simulation, and the 
     components of the system shall be interconnected with a 
     computer network and allow for remote access, information 
     sharing, and collaborative research.
       ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to 
     amounts appropriated under section 12(c), there are 
     authorized to be appropriated to the National Science 
     Foundation for the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for 
     Earthquake Engineering Simulation--
       ``(1) $28,200,000 for fiscal year 2001;
       ``(2) $24,400,000 for fiscal year 2002;
       ``(3) $4,500,000 for fiscal year 2003; and
       ``(4) $17,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.''.

     SEC. 206. BUDGET COORDINATION.

       Section 5 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 
     (42 U.S.C. 7704) is amended--
       (1) by striking subparagraph (A) of subsection (b)(1) and 
     redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (F) of subsection 
     (b)(1) as subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(c) Budget Coordination.--
       ``(1) Guidance.--The Agency shall each year provide 
     guidance to the other Program agencies concerning the 
     preparation of requests for appropriations for activities 
     related to the Program, and shall prepare, in conjunction 
     with the other Program agencies, an annual Program budget to 
     be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget.
       ``(2) Reports.--Each Program agency shall include with its 
     annual request for appropriations submitted to the Office of 
     Management and Budget a report that--
       ``(A) identifies each element of the proposed Program 
     activities of the agency;
       ``(B) specifies how each of these activities contributes to 
     the Program; and
       ``(C) states the portion of its request for appropriations 
     allocated to each element of the Program.''.

     SEC. 207. REPORT ON AT-RISK POPULATIONS.

       Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, and after a period for public comment, the Director 
     of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall transmit to 
     the Congress a report describing the elements of the Program 
     that specifically address the needs of at-risk populations, 
     including the elderly, persons with disabilities, non-
     English-speaking families, single-parent households, and the 
     poor. Such report shall also identify additional actions that 
     could be taken to address those needs and make 
     recommendations for any additional legislative authority 
     required to take such actions.

     SEC. 208. PUBLIC ACCESS TO EARTHQUAKE INFORMATION.

       Section 5(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction 
     Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7704(b)(2)(A)(ii)) is amended by 
     inserting ``, and development of means of increasing public 
     access to available locality-specific information that may 
     assist the public in preparing for or responding to 
     earthquakes'' after ``and the general public''.

     SEC. 209. LIFELINES.

       Section 4(6) of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 
     1977 (42 U.S.C. 7703(6)) is amended by inserting ``and 
     infrastructure'' after ``communication facilities''.

     SEC. 210. SCIENTIFIC EARTHQUAKE STUDIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

       (a) Establishment.--The Director of the United States 
     Geological Survey shall establish a Scientific Earthquake 
     Studies Advisory Committee.
       (b) Organization.--The Director shall establish procedures 
     for selection of individuals not employed by the Federal 
     Government who are qualified in the seismic sciences and 
     other appropriate fields and may, pursuant to such 
     procedures, select up to ten individuals, one of whom shall 
     be designated Chairman, to serve on the Advisory Committee. 
     Selection of individuals for the Advisory Committee shall be 
     based solely on established records of distinguished service, 
     and the Director shall ensure that a reasonable cross-section 
     of views and expertise is represented. In selecting 
     individuals to serve on the Advisory Committee, the Director 
     shall seek and give due consideration to recommendations from 
     the National Academy of Sciences, professional societies, and 
     other appropriate organizations.
       (c) Meetings.--The Advisory Committee shall meet at such 
     times and places as may be designated by the Chairman in 
     consultation with the Director.
       (d) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall advise the 
     Director on matters relating to the United States Geological 
     Survey's participation in the National Earthquake Hazards 
     Reduction Program, including the United States Geological 
     Survey's roles, goals, and objectives within that Program, 
     its capabilities and research needs, guidance on achieving 
     major objectives, and establishing and measuring performance 
     goals. The Advisory Committee shall issue an annual report to 
     the Director for submission to Congress on or before 
     September 30 of each year. The report shall describe the 
     Advisory Committee's activities and address policy issues or 
     matters that affect the United States Geological Survey's 
     participation in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction 
     Program.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Sensenbrenner).


                             General Leave

  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks on H.Res. 655.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution amends H.R. 1550, and in doing so makes 
technical corrections to H.R. 1550 and S. 1639, both of which were 
passed by the Senate on October 18. I had hoped that the House could 
have sent these bills to the President, but, regrettably, errors in the 
Senate-passed versions mean that they will have to be sent back to the 
Senate.
  In the interests of time, this resolution incorporates these two 
bills into titles I and II respectively of H.R. 1550.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the leadership for making the time available to 
consider this resolution, and I hope our colleagues in the Senate will 
move expeditiously to pass H.R. 1550, as amended by this resolution, 
and send it to the President for his signature before the Congress 
adjourns.
  Mr. Speaker, titles I and II represent compromises worked out between 
the Senate and the House and are very similar to the comparable bills 
that passed the House by overwhelming majorities during the first 
session of this Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, title I reauthorizes training, research, data 
collection, and analysis and public education programs at the United 
States Fire Administration. H.R. 1550 represents the big step in 
getting this agency back on track,

[[Page H11325]]

especially in research. The bill authorizes a total of $142.6 million 
over fiscal years 2001 through 2003. The bill also requires USFA to 
certify that funds obligated in fiscal year 2002 are consistent with 
the strategic plan required in title I.
  In addition to the increased authorizations for research funding, the 
bill also requires the agency to establish research priorities and to 
develop a plan for implementing a research agenda.
  Mr. Speaker, title II of the bill, which authorizes the National 
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, makes technical changes to S. 
1639.
  Earthquakes are a national problem. According to the U.S. Geological 
Survey, 39 States are subject to serious earthquake risk, and 75 
million people in the United States live in urban areas with moderate 
to high earthquake risk.
  Four agencies participated in NEHRP, the Federal Emergency Management 
Administration, the USGS, the National Science Foundation, and the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology. For fiscal year 2001, 
title II authorizes $104.1 million for the base activities in these 
agencies.
  In addition, title II authorizes two new projects, each of which grew 
out of congressional direction. The Advanced National Seismic Research 
and Monitoring System will update the Nation's aging seismic monitoring 
network. The bill authorizes $185 million over 5 years for USGS for 
equipment and operation.
  Mr. Speaker, the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake 
Engineering Simulation, named after the distinguished late ranking 
minority Member and chairman of the Committee on Science and originator 
of NEHRP, will link more than 30 earthquake engineering research 
facilities and upgrade and expand major earthquake testing facilities. 
Title II provides NSF with a 4-year authorization totalling $74.1 
million for this program.
  Mr. Speaker, finally, the bill authorizes funding for studying the 
New Madrid fault.
  Through its emphasis on monitoring, research and mitigation, H.R. 
1550 will help the Nation prepare for the inevitable and save lives and 
property. I would like to thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. 
Smith), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Basic Research; the 
gentlewoman from Texas, (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), the ranking 
minority member of the subcommittee; the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Hall), the ranking minority member of the Committee on Science, for all 
of their work in helping craft a fine bill.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution to amend H.R. 1550 represents a 
sensible, long-term investment that will pay for itself many times over 
in saved lives and reduced property losses. I urge my colleagues to 
support it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. HALL of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Fire Administration and the 
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program I think deserve 
everything that the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) has 
recommended. I think they deserve the support of this House, because 
their missions are very important to the safety of every American 
anywhere.
  I want to thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith), the chairman 
of the Committee on Basic Research, and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. 
Eddie Bernice Johnson), who is the ranking Democratic member of the 
subcommittee, for their good work in developing H.R. 1550.
  Also I want to acknowledge the leadership of the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), chairman of the Committee on Science, 
for moving the legislation forward and for so ably setting it forth 
before us tonight.
  Mr. Speaker, actually, title I of H.R. 1550 will give the Fire 
Administration the resources it needs to carry out its important 
mission and will also ensure that the agency conducts a strategic 
planning necessary to ensure that the resources provided are spent 
effectively.
  In addition, title II of the bill reauthorizes the funding of Federal 
research and geosciences, social sciences and engineering that has 
contributed to saving countless lives, personal property and critical 
infrastructures. This continued support will allow for even greater 
strides in innovative areas that the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency, or FEMA, the United States Geological Survey, the National 
Science Foundation, and the National Institutes of Science and 
Technology are currently exploring.
  The U.S. Fire Administration is a small agency with a very large 
role. The funding provided by this bill will be used to improve the 
skills of the firefighters and emergency response personnel. The funds 
will help to increase the public awareness of fire safety. Finally, Mr. 
Speaker, the funds will support research required to improve the 
equipment available for suppressing fires and protecting firefighters.
  The funding authorizations provided cover fiscal year 2001 through 
the year 2003. The fiscal year 2001 authorization is right at the 
President's request. The increases in authorization levels for the 
other two outyears will provide resources needed to accommodate new 
responsibilities at the Fire Administration for counterterrorism, 
training, and to reinvigorate the agency's research activities.
  Mr. Speaker, title II of H.R. 1550 reauthorizes the Earthquake 
Hazards Reduction Act of 1977. In addition to authorizing increased 
funding for the base earthquake program, and I am proud to announce 
this, the bill authorizes, one, the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for 
Earthquake Engineering Simulation; and, two, the Advanced Seismic 
Research and Monitoring System; and, three, a study on elements of the 
earthquake program that address the needs of at-risk populations.
  Mr. Speaker, the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake 
Engineering Simulation is an effort by the National Science Foundation 
to modernize the earthquake engineering research facilities.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an effort that I think my good friend, the late 
George Brown, would have applauded; and I am overjoyed that this bill 
honors the 30-plus years of advocacy of the late George E. Brown, Jr. 
on earthquake mitigation and preparedness in this fashion.
  It is truly fitting that Representative Brown, one of the original 
drafters of the 1977 earthquake bill and a man whose name remains 
synonymous with earthquake preparedness and mitigation during his time 
in this Congress, is equated with the improvement in the earthquake 
infrastructure.
  Mr. Speaker, I fully support H.R. 1550 and commend the measure to the 
House for its very favorable consideration.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume 
to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith).
  (Mr. SMITH of Michigan asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
Wisconsin for yielding me the time.
  Mr. Speaker, as the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) 
noted in his remarks, this bill represents the combination of two good 
bills that will go a long ways towards reducing the risk of damage to 
property and injury to Americans due to fire or earthquakes.
  As chairman of the Subcommittee on Basic Research, it was my 
privilege to introduce the two bills that have become the two titles of 
this legislation today.
  H. Res. 655 really, as I see it, is legislative substitute of a 
conference committee. So it moves the process a long a little faster. 
It incorporates the agreed-to changes by the Senate and by the House.
  Mr. Speaker, title I is the Fire Administration Authorization Act of 
2000. Since its creation in 1974, the Fire Administration has had a 
notable, positive impact on communities across the country. Between 
1986 and 1995, for example, fire deaths decreased 30 percent, and the 
adjusted dollar loss associated with fire decreased 13 percent.
  Mr. Speaker, much of this decrease can be traced to the research 
sponsored by the USFA. Now, I think we need a renewed effort to reduce 
damage and loss by fire and support our first responders.

[[Page H11326]]

  We passed exceptional help in the Defense authorization bill this 
year and plan to appropriate $100 million for a new grant program for 
fire departments. All of this legislation demonstrates our commitment 
to the 1.2 million men and women of the fire service, 80 percent of 
whom serve as volunteers.
  This bill authorizes a total of $142.6 million for the Fire 
Administration for the next 3 years, including nearly $10 million for 
research, but it does more than authorize increased funding.
  It also requires the Fire Administration to develop a strategic plan, 
and ties obligations for Fiscal Year 2001 to that plan. I believe that 
while it is important for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to 
incorporate the Fire Administration into its Federal-disaster planning, 
it is also important for the Fire Administration to establish strategic 
priorities of its own that, when taken in the aggregate, can have a 
huge impact in reduced life and property loss from fire.
  In addition to the substantial increase authorized for research, this 
legislation also directs the Fire Administration to establish a 
research agenda. Coupled with the increased money, this research agenda 
will compel the Fire Administration to set priorities and give research 
a more central role in its activities.

                                  2115

  Title II of this legislation is the Earthquakes Hazard Reduction 
Authorization Act of 2000. The National Earthquake Hazard Reduction 
Program called NEHRP has enjoyed strong bipartisan support. Again, the 
primary purpose of NEHRP is simple: to save lives and property. But 
while the goal may be stated simply, really getting a grip on the 
problems earthquakes pose is a more difficult challenge.
  Since its inception in 1977, NEHRP has done a credible job of 
contributing to our store of knowledge about the causes and effects of 
earthquakes, and it has reduced our vulnerability to them through 
engineering research and new building designs. The Program's monitoring 
component also holds the promise of providing real-time warning to 
citizens and a wealth of data to researchers. Indeed, improving 
earthquake warnings by just a few seconds can mean the difference 
between life and death. This bill reauthorizes the base NEHRP programs 
at $104 million for FY 2001, $108 million for FY 2002, and $113 million 
for FY 2003.
  Mr. Speaker, let me conclude by saying 39 States are exposed to a 
significant earthquake risk, and about 75 million people live in urban 
areas with moderate to high earthquake risk. The programs authorized in 
this bill will enable us to have better warnings and be better prepared 
for the inevitable earthquakes in our future.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to thank the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner); and I would like to thank the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Hall), the full committee ranking member; and certainly 
the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), the ranking 
member of the subcommittee; and all of my colleagues on the 
Subcommittee on Basic Research for their efforts in bringing this bill 
forward.
  I would also like to recognize the efforts of our late ranking 
member. As was commented on by both the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) 
and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), Representative 
George E. Brown, Jr. was the originator of the NEHRP program, and he 
believed strongly in the need for earthquake research and preparedness. 
I am pleased that this bill will authorize the Network for Earthquake 
Engineering Simulation in his name. I urge my colleagues to once again 
support this important legislation.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume 
to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), who is the 
ranking democratic member of the Subcommittee on Basic Research.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Fire 
Administration and the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program 
have long enjoyed the bipartisan support of the Congress because of 
their vital mission, to improve safety for all citizens.
  I would like to acknowledge the collegial approach taken by the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith), the chairman of the Subcommittee 
on Basic Research, in developing H.R. 1550. It has been a pleasure 
working with him on the bill. I also want to thank the chairman of the 
committee, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), and the 
ranking democratic member, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), for 
their efforts to bring it before the House for its consideration 
tonight.
  The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 was intended to 
address a serious problem affecting the safety of all Americans. Much 
progress has been made during the past 25 years in public education 
about fire safety and improvement in the effectiveness of fire services 
and the wider use of home fire safety devices. Nevertheless, the United 
States still has one of the highest fire death rates among advanced 
nations.
  In 1997, 4,000 Americans died and nearly 24,000 were injured in 
fires. Moreover, the approximately 2 million fires reported each year 
result in direct property loss estimated at well over $8 billion, with 
a total direct and indirect cost reaching $100 billion annually.
  The bill before the House seeks to reinvigorate the efforts of the 
fire administration. I am pleased that it endorses the President's 
fiscal year 2000 proposal and brings the budget level to $50 million by 
fiscal year 2003.
  Although this is a 12 percent increase over 3 years, it still pales 
compared to the scale of activity originally contemplated for the 
agency. Nevertheless, H.R. 1550 is a good start. We are improving the 
level of resources the fire administration needs to carry out its 
important mission. It will enable the agency to increase support for 
its critical responsibility for firefighter training through the 
National Fire Academy. The budget growth will enable the agency to 
reverse the steep decline in support for fire research and for public 
education programs. Regarding public education, the fire administration 
must enlarge and improve its efforts to reduce losses, and I will put 
my complete remarks in the record.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to specifically express my support for 
title II of H.R. 1550 which authorizes the national earthquake hazard 
reduction program. Through the efforts of the scientists and engineers 
funded by NEHRP programs, we now have maps that inform engineers, 
architects and builders of seismic hazards. We have model building 
codes, and we have a greater understanding of the science of earthquake 
hazards and the response of buildings to the seismic movement.
  Advances such as early warning of seismic events, more structurally 
sound buildings, regional analysis of seismic risk, mobile research 
centers and widespread use of Internet and other telecommunications 
capability are going to make a marked reduction in the earthquakes.
  As my former colleague, the gentleman from California, Mr. Brown, 
would say, there are still challenges we must face and assessments that 
must be made periodically to make sure that we are doing everything we 
can to ensure the safety and security of the American people. There are 
still earthquake-prone communities that have not adopted appropriate 
building codes; monitoring in earthquake-prone areas is still done with 
less than state-of-the-art equipment, and disparities in earthquake 
losses due to age, socioeconomic status, and physical limitations still 
exist. Fortunately, I feel that the bill before us today will help us 
meet these needs.
  In addition to authorizing increased funding for the base program, 
the bill authorizes the Advanced Seismic Research and Monitoring System 
to upgrade and expand our seismic monitoring, and the Network for 
Earthquake Engineering Simulation to modernize earthquake engineering 
research facilities. The full title of the network for the earthquake 
engineering simulation is actually the George E. Brown, Jr. Network and 
Earthquake Engineering Simulation, in recognition of one of this 
legislative body's most active and vigilant champions of initiative 
preparedness; the late Representative George E. Brown, Jr.
  Mr. Brown began the crusade for earthquake preparedness and 
mitigation in the 1960s at a time in which many people labeled him as 
an alarmist, but as we all know, Mr. Brown was always a step ahead in 
his view of the world around us. Through his works and through him 
serving as one of the original drafters of the Earthquake Hazards 
Reduction Act of 1977, Mr.

[[Page H11327]]

Brown has improved the lives of countless Americans that reside in 
seismically active or potentially active regions of the country. 
Therefore, it is only fitting that this recognition be given to a man 
who served as one of the greatest contributors to the current 
earthquake hazards reduction infrastructure.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, let me say that H.R. 1550 is a good bill 
that comes to the floor at this time, and it is with bipartisan 
support, and I am pleased to recommend that all of the Members support 
this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Fire Administration and The National Earthquake 
Hazards Reduction Program have long enjoyed the bipartisan support of 
the Congress because of their vital mission to improve the safety of 
all our citizens.
  I would like to acknowledge the collegial approach taken by Mr. 
Smith, the chairman of the Basic Research Subcommittee, in developing 
H.R. 1550. It has been a pleasure working with him on the bill. I also 
want to thank the chairman of the committee, Mr. Sensenbrenner, and the 
Ranking Democratic Member, Mr. Hall, for their efforts in bringing it 
before the House for its consideration today.
  The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 was intended to 
address a serious problem affecting the safety of all Americans. Much 
progress has been made during the past 25 years in public education 
about fire safety, improvement in the effectiveness of fire services, 
and the wider use of home fire safety devices.
  Nevertheless, the United States still has one of the highest fire 
death rates among advanced nations. In 1997, 4,000 Americans died and 
nearly 24,000 were injured in fires. Moreover, the approximately 2 
million fires reported each year result in direct property losses 
estimated at well over $8 billion, with total direct and indirect costs 
reaching $100 billion annually.
  The bill before the House seeks to reinvigorate the efforts of the 
Fire Administration. I am pleased that it endorses the President's 
fiscal year 2001 proposal and brings the budget level to $50 million by 
fiscal year 2003. Although this is a 12 percent increase over three 
years, it still pales compared to the scale of activity originally 
contemplated for the agency.
  Nevertheless, H.R. 1550 is a good start for providing the level of 
resources the Fire Administration needs to carry out its important 
mission. It will enable the agency to increase support for its critical 
responsibility for firefighter training through the National Fire 
Academy. Moreover, the budget growth will enable the agency to reverse 
the steep decline in support for fire research and for public education 
programs.
  Regarding public education, the Fire Administration must enlarge and 
improve its efforts to reduce losses for the population groups most at 
risk from fire death and injury. We know that the elderly, the very 
young, and the poor are the most vulnerable. I included language in the 
report accompanying the original House-passed version of the bill 
tasking the Fire Administration to carefully assess whether research 
and additional data collection activities could improve understanding 
of the factors that lead to increased fire risk. Effective, targeted 
fire prevention campaigns can be developed only from a sound knowledge 
base.
  In addition to resources, the bill provides for the agency to develop 
a management plan and establish the program priorities that will help 
to ensure the increased resources are used to maximum effect. An 
important component of the plan is the requirement for consultation 
with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the fire 
service organizations to establish a prioritized set of research goals.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to specifically express my support of 
Title II of HR 1550, which reauthorizes the National Earthquake Hazards 
Reduction Program (NEHRP). Through the efforts of the scientists and 
engineers funded by NEHRP programs, we now have maps that inform 
engineers, architects, and builders of seismic hazards; we have model 
building codes; and we have a greater understanding of the science of 
earthquake hazards and the response of buildings to seismic movement.
  Advances such as early warning of seismic events, more structurally 
sound buildings, regional analysis of seismic risk, mobile research 
centers, and widespread use of the Internet and other 
telecommunications capabilities are going to make marked reductions in 
the impacts of earthquakes.
  However, as my former colleague Mr. Brown of California would say, 
there are still challenges we must face and assessments that must be 
made periodically to make sure that we are doing everything we can to 
ensure the safety and security of the American people.
  There are still earthquake-prone communities that have not adopted 
appropriate building codes; monitoring in earthquake-prone areas is 
still done with less than state-of-the-art equipment, and disparities 
in earthquake losses due to age, socioeconomic status, and physical 
limitations still exist.
  Fortunately, I feel that the bill before us today will help us meet 
these needs.
  In addition to authorizing increased funding for the base program, 
the bill authorizes (1) the ``Advanced Seismic Research and Monitoring 
System'' to upgrade and expand our seismic monitoring, and (2) the 
``Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation'' to modernize 
earthquake engineering research facilities.
  The full title of the Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation 
is actually the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering 
Simulation in recognition of one of this legislative body's most active 
and vigilant champions of earthquake preparedness; the late 
Representative George E. Brown, Jr.
  Mr. Brown began the crusade for earthquake preparedness and 
mitigation in the 1960's, at a time in which many people labeled him an 
alarmist. But as we all know Mr. Brown was always a step ahead in his 
view of the world around us. Through his works--including serving as 
one of the original drafters of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 
1977--Mr. Brown has improved the lives of countless Americans that 
reside in seismically active, or potentially active, regions of the 
country.
  Therefore, it is only fitting that this recognition be given to a man 
who served as one of the greatest contributors to the current 
``earthquake hazard reduction'' infrastructure.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, let me say that H.R. 1550 is a good bill 
that comes to the Floor with bipartisan support and that authorizes 
programs that advance public safety. I am pleased to recommend the 
measure to my colleagues for their approval.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Thune). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, House Resolution 
655.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground 
that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum 
is not present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8, rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

                          ____________________