[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 2 (Friday, January 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E14]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           INTRODUCTION OF THE CALLING FOR 2-1-1 ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. LEE TERRY

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 4, 2007

  Mr. TERRY. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Calling for 
2-1-1 Act of 2007. I am proud to lend my support as an original 
cosponsor of this bill, which was introduced today by my colleague, Ms. 
Eshoo of California. I would also like to note a concern I have with 
the bill as introduced, which I hope will be resolved prior to a vote 
in the full House of Representatives.
  2-1-1 is the number designated by the Federal Communications 
Commission to provide citizens with information and referral about 
important community services and volunteer opportunities. United Way 
and its affiliates operate more than 200 call centers in 41 states 
nationwide, including my home state of Nebraska. About two-thirds of 
American citizens currently have access to 2-1-1 referrals. The Calling 
for 2-1-1 Act will help achieve nationwide coverage for all citizens.
  More than 50 percent of the calls made to 2-1-1 call centers are 
placed to meet basic needs such as food, heat, clothing and shelter for 
citizens facing difficulty. 2-1-1 helps to keep citizens off long-term 
government financial aid such as welfare and food stamps by meeting 
immediate needs before they become crises. 2-1-1 also enhances homeland 
security by serving as an emergency backup to 9-1-1 during natural 
disasters and other crises.
  In my Congressional District alone, almost 40,000 Nebraskans sought 
information through 2-1-1 between November 2005 and October 2006. The 
top needs were for assistance with utilities, rent, food, housing, 
health and dental care, furniture and tax preparation. Thousands of 
Nebraskans were able to obtain assistance from federal and non-profit 
community service agencies because of the existence of 2-1-1.
  2-1-1 was crucial during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. When 9-
1-1 emergency lines were inoperational, 2-1-1 stepped up to link 
citizens in dire need with critical services, including emergency 
medical care, food and housing, and crisis recovery and relocation 
services nationwide. Volunteer organizations such as the Red Cross also 
benefit from people who call 2-1-1 seeking opportunities to give back 
to their communities. 2-1-1 meets critical needs and merits federal 
aid, provided that additional protections are put in place before this 
legislation is brought to a vote.
  It was my privilege to work last year with Ms. Eshoo and Mrs. Clinton 
in the Senate, as well as Mr. Pickering and Mr. Bilirakis in the House 
of Representatives, to address important concerns for ``socially 
sensitive'' referrals before bringing the Calling for 2-1-1 Act to a 
vote. As Members of Congress with deep convictions for the protection 
of human life, we drafted language to refer callers seeking pregnancy-
related services to public health departments.
  This reasonable compromise was designed to ensure the 2-1-1 
legislation does not become a vehicle for taxpayer funding of 
controversial referrals such as abortion. Unfortunately, this important 
language, which had been agreed upon by all parties, was not included 
in the legislation introduced today. I look forward to working with my 
Ms. Eshoo and my other colleagues to correct this situation.
  If my concerns are not addressed, I would be forced to vote against 
and actively fight against the legislation I have cosponsored and 
worked to enact into law, despite my strong support for increasing 
access to 2-1-1 for more American citizens. The fact that I have again 
cosponsored this legislation despite my concern is testament to the 
good working relationship I have enjoyed with Ms. Eshoo and Ms. 
Clinton, and which I trust will continue during this new Congress.
  Thank you, Madam Speaker. I look forward to working with my 
colleagues on the other side of the aisle to help this legislation 
become law while ensuring it protects and upholds the sanctity of human 
life.

                          ____________________