[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 150 (Friday, November 2, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1997-E1998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THE CHARITY ACCOUNTABILITY ACT, H.R. 3192

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 1, 2001

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce H.R. 3192, the 
Disaster Relief Charities Accountability Act.
  Mr. Speaker, seven weeks have passed since the barbaric attacks on 
the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the thwarted hijacking 
attempt in Pennsylvania, yet victims and their families have not 
received the funding they desperately need.
  Initial reports have indicated that more than $1.2 billion has been 
collected by 196 charitable organizations.
  While this overwhelming support by Americans has been gratifying, 
there is a great deal of concern that the funds raised may not be going 
directly to the intended beneficiaries-- the victims and their 
families--and instead are being diverted or, worse yet, miss their 
intended goal.
  More than 100 families in my congressional district have been 
affected by the horror of the September 11th attack in New York. Many 
of these families have been calling my office requesting information 
and assistance on how and where to go to receive these donated funds.
  Accordingly, I am introducing H.R. 3192 to provide a full accounting 
of:
  All funds received to date;
  The amount spent and distributed and for what purpose;
  The criteria used for disseminating these funds;
  The percentage of funds donated that will actually go to the victims; 
and
  The administrative costs for allocating these funds.
  In addition, the Charity Accountability Act will provide both the 
victims and their families, as well as those wanting to donate, with a

[[Page E1998]]

clearinghouse of all charitable organizations participating in this 
important fund-raising initiative.
  It is my intention that this legislation will insure that the money 
raised to assist Americans during any disaster event will go to the 
intended beneficiary.
  Specifically, this legislation will establish a five member board to: 
(1) Collect and provide information to assist both the victims and 
those wishing to contribute to various disaster funds; (2) collect and 
maintain an on-going accounting of all funds collected and disbursed; 
(3) obtain and review the criteria used by the various relief funds to 
pay out these funds; and (4) report to both the President and the 
Congress on the status of these funds.
  The outpouring by the American people to the disastrous events of 
September 11th should not be wrought with confusion or cynicism on how 
the funds are being distributed or possibly misdirected. It is obvious 
that Americans want their donated funds to go directly to the victims 
and their families. Any funds collected for this intended purpose and 
spent otherwise would place a black mark on the entire philanthropic 
community, dissuading and jeopardizing any future donations.
  Accordingly I encourage my colleagues to review this important 
legislation and welcome their support.