[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E7]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN SUPPORT OF THE LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE EQUITY ACT OF 2002

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 2003

  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Low-Income 
Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) Equity Act of 2002. Most people 
associate LIHEAP with home heating assistance to needy families in the 
wintertime, and that is an extremely important purpose of the program. 
However, while many people are in danger each year because they cannot 
afford to properly heat their homes, many across the South but also all 
over the country are in danger every year because they cannot afford to 
cool their homes.
  I am introducing this legislation to bring parity to the LIHEAP 
program between regions that are more likely to use LIHEAP for heating 
and for cooling. My hometown of Houston can see many consecutive days 
of above 100 degree temperatures, combined with high humidity. This is 
a potentially lethal combination for the poor, often elderly, residents 
who cannot afford an air conditioner or afford to pay the electricity 
bill. In addition, the Northern part of the country sees too many 
preventable heat related deaths.
  According to the National Weather Service, heat related deaths and 
injuries far outpaced cold related deaths and injuries. In 2000, there 
were 158 heat related deaths and 26 cold related deaths. In addition, 
there were over 400 heat related injuries also in 2000. In 2001, the 
difference was even more pronounced with 166 heat related fatalities 
and 4 cold related fatalities.
  It is time Congress and the LIHEAP program recognize the dangerous 
reality the heat waves pose in this country and begin to offer 
residents in danger from hot weather as much energy assistance as we 
offer to residents in danger from cold weather. Let us work together to 
bring some equity to LIHEAP and prevent more, senseless, fatalities of 
the elderly, infirm, and children who cannot afford air conditioning. I 
urge my colleagues to support the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance 
(LIHEAP) Equity Act of 2002.

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