[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1913]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        PETS EVACUATION AND TRANSPORTATION STANDARDS ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                   of

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 20, 2006

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my appreciation to 
Representative Tom Lantos for introducing H.R. 3858, the Pets 
Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006.
  Hurricane Katrina brought to light the difficult circumstances and 
decisions citizens may face when forced to evacuate their homes. 
Heartbreaking scenes and stories of evacuees being forced to leave 
behind their beloved pets were all too common. Thankfully, many 
evacuees were reunited with their animals after the storm. However, 
thousands of pets either did not survive or may still be separated from 
their owners.
  H.R. 3858 would ensure that all States and communities include the 
evacuation of pets and service animals within their emergency and 
disaster preparedness plans. With pets present in 63 percent of 
American households, this legislation would provide the needed tools 
for citizens and communities to better navigate the already stressful 
experience of evacuation.
  I was not present when the House considered H.R. 3858 because I was 
in Texas to participate in a critically important conference on Latino 
health issues. However, I would have voted in favor of this 
legislation. I now look forward to the President signing the bill into 
law.

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