[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 101 (Thursday, July 19, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       H.R. 2562, THE MINORITY EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS ACT OF 2001

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 19, 2001

  Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill that will help 
minorities better prepare for tornadoes, floods, and other disasters, 
thereby raising the level of protection for segments of the population 
hit the hardest. This bill is entitled the ``Minority Emergency 
Preparedness Act of 2001'' and already has 25 original co-sponsors. I 
feel this initial response is a testament to the importance and value 
of this legislation.
  This bill will establish a research program to assess the impact of 
man-made and natural disasters on minority populations, especially low 
income, under served populations in rural communities and densely-
populated urban areas. This information can then be used to help 
prepare for disasters such as tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, 
hurricanes, fires, and storms involving heavy rains, high winds and ice 
and snow, and thus lessen their impact.
  According to the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), 
minorities are impacted by emergencies two and a half times more than 
others in the country, and this is unacceptable. We must do more to 
help those who need it, so that they will not be impacted as much at 
times of disaster.
  It is my hope that all people in high risk circumstances will benefit 
from this program, which will document and make available information 
about the dangers that are present in different locations as well as 
provide practical guidance on how to protect against disasters. I ask 
my colleagues to join with me in supporting this legislation, and 
lessen the harsh effects that disasters have on our communities in the 
states and regions most impacted by them.




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