[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 173 (Thursday, December 13, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2270]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       PUBLIC HEALTH SECURITY AND BIOTERRISM RESPONSE ACT OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 11, 2001

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 
3488, the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act of 2001.
  On September 11, our way of life changed. Something that has been on 
everyone's minds since the beginning of the anthrax scare in the United 
States is the state of our public health system. Everyone wants to know 
if the United States is equipped for a possible chemical or biological 
attack, and I'm proud to say we are working to ensure our readiness.
  Before September 11, it was important for the United States to 
allocate money for improvements to our public health system. After 
September 11, it became a necessity. Congress is taking a step in the 
right direction by passing the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism 
Response Act of 200l. Since our public health infrastructure is spread 
among different agencies and departments, this $2.96 billion package 
addresses a variety of funding necessities to infuse our public health 
system with desperately needed funds to protect the American people in 
case of chemical or biological attacks.
  My colleagues and I realize the important role played by state and 
local offices of the public health system. Often, it is our local 
health officials who are deeply embroiled with the day-today assistance 
for those involved in chemical and biological attacks. This legislation 
allocates almost $2.7 billion across a variety of agencies that prepare 
for public health emergencies such as bioterrorism attacks. $1 billion 
will be given to states, local governments, and public and private 
health care facilities in the form of grants. It allows them to improve 
planning and preparedness for attacks, enhance their laboratories, 
educate and train their health care personnel, and develop new 
treatments and vaccines.
  $1 billion is earmarked for the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services to expand our current national stockpile of antibiotics and 
vaccines, including those for smallpox. Since the Centers for Disease 
Control play an important role when it comes to bioterrorism, $450 
million will go to it for bioterror program expansion. It is crucial 
they renovate their facilities and improve lab security. The package 
also calls for the creation of a national database of hazardous 
pathogens and establishes registration, safety and security 
requirements on the 36 most deadly biological agents and toxins.
  Congress is finally addressing some major deficiencies in our food 
inspection process, and water supply security. This bill gives $100 
million to the Food and Drug Administration, which will allow them to 
better protect our food supply by hiring more border inspectors and 
finding new methods to detect contaminated food. An additional $100 
million will be distributed specifically to safeguard our drinking 
water by increasing vulnerability analyses and emergency response 
plans.
  I applaud my colleagues' hard work on this legislation, and I'm glad 
we were able to address this issue before the holidays.

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