[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 20 (Thursday, February 16, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S1420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. LANDRIEU:
  S. 2299. A bill to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act to restore Federal aid for the repair, 
restoration, and replacement of private nonprofit educational 
facilities that are damaged or destroyed by a major disaster; to the 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I rise provide a bit of background 
regarding legislation that I am introducing today. The bill that I am 
sending to the desk would provide independent colleges and universities 
with direct, immediate aid through the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency, FEMA. Additionally, the bill would assist the recovery of non-
profit education institutions from the extensive damage they sustain 
during natural disasters.
  During crises, the critical role that small colleges and universities 
play in our communities is often overlooked or underestimated. In 
Louisiana, many of our colleges and universities are not only important 
in educating our students, but also in bolstering our economy.
  In my home State, this legislation would benefit Delgado Community 
College, Dillard University, Loyola University New Orleans, Nunez 
Community College, Our Lady of Holy Cross College, Southern University 
at New Orleans, Sowela Technical Community College, Tulane University 
of Louisiana, University of New Orleans, McNeese State University and 
Xavier University of Louisiana.
  Under current law, ``education'' has been omitted from the list of 
``critical services'' for which facility repair assistance can be 
awarded directly and immediately. Until 2000, when Congress changed the 
law, education was always eligible for direct FEMA assistance for 
facility damages. This legislation simply restores education to its 
rightful position as a recognized critical service.
  This is the only place in Federal law governing disaster assistance 
that makes this distinction between non-profit and public colleges and 
universities. This equity must be restored. This legislation is not a 
demand for the start of a new program, but the restoration of these 
institutions long-held position under Federal law.
  Recent media reports in the New York Times and USA Today have 
featured stories depicting the massive backlog of applications for aid 
options for those institutions not eligible for immediate, direct FEMA 
assistance. When disasters strike these institutions, which often 
already have limited resources, they incur an extensive range of costs 
for which they cannot secure any immediate Federal reimbursement or 
resources. These institutions cannot afford to lose a semester and 
neither can their students. They should be able to go directly to FEMA 
immediately, just as others do.
  Congressman Kendrick Meek introduced a companion bill, H.R. 4517, in 
December and I look forward to working with him on this legislation. 
Our colleges and universities are something we cannot afford to ignore 
and they are vital to rebuilding the State of Louisiana. I hope that my 
colleagues will come together in support of this important legislation 
to support our colleges and universities in this time of need.
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