[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 59 (Monday, May 3, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S4777]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL ELECTRICAL SAFETY MONTH

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
now proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 486, S. Res. 
334.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 334) designating May 2004 as National 
     Electrical Safety Month.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to 
reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, and that any statements 
relating to the resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 334) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 334

       Whereas hundreds of individuals die and thousands are 
     injured each year in electrical accidents;
       Whereas there are on average 870 civilian deaths annually 
     related to home fires caused by electrical distribution, 
     appliances and equipment, and heating and air conditioning 
     systems;
       Whereas more than 2 people are electrocuted in the home, 
     and 4 more in the workplace, each week;
       Whereas property damage due to home fires caused by 
     electrical distribution, appliances and equipment, and 
     heating and air conditioning systems amounts to nearly 
     $1,600,000,000 annually;
       Whereas following basic electrical safety precautions can 
     help prevent injury or death to thousands of individuals each 
     year;
       Whereas citizens are encouraged to check their home and 
     workplace for possible electrical hazards to help protect 
     lives and property;
       Whereas citizens are encouraged to test their smoke 
     detectors and ground fault circuit interrupters monthly and 
     after every major electrical storm; and
       Whereas the efforts of the Electrical Safety Foundation 
     International (ESFI) and the United States Consumer Product 
     Safety Commission (CPSC) promote and educate the public about 
     the importance of respecting electricity and practicing 
     electrical safety in the home, school, and workplace: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates May 2004 as ``National Electrical Safety 
     Month''; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States to observe the 
     month with appropriate programs and activities.

                          ____________________