[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 4 (Tuesday, January 9, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. CLINTON (for herself, Mrs. Dole, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Bayh, Mr. 
        Nelson of Florida, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Burr, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. 
        Cochran, Mr. Coleman, Ms. Collins, Mr. Hagel, Mr. Harkin, Mr. 
        Inouye, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Levin, Mr. Lieberman, 
        Mr. Lugar, Mr. Menendez, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Snowe, 
        Mr. Vitter, Mr. Casey, Mr. Bennett, and Ms. Stabenow):
  S. 211. A bill to facilitate nationwide availability of 2-2-1 
telephone service for information and referral on human services, 
volunteer services, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mrs. CLINTON. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Calling 
for 2-1-1 Act. I'm thrilled to be a part of the new Democratic Congress 
as we move to pass the kind of bipartisan legislation I'm talking about 
today--a bill that could make an invaluable difference in the lives of 
citizens in New York and the country.
  I'd first like to thank my colleague Senator Dole for joining me in 
this effort. Because of her long history with the Red Cross, the 
Senator understands the importance of 2-1-1, and I am so pleased to be 
working with her again in this new Congress to champion this important 
cause.
  Every hour of every day, someone in the United States needs essential 
services--from finding an after-school program to securing adequate 
care for an aging parent. Faced with a dramatic increase in the number 
of agencies and help-lines, people often don't know where to turn. In 
many cases, people end up going without necessary services because they 
do not know where to start. The 2-1-1 system is a user-friendly social-
services network, providing an easy-to-remember and universally 
available phone number that links individuals and families in need to 
the appropriate nonprofit and government agencies. 2-1-1 helps people 
find and give help by providing information on job training, schools, 
volunteer opportunities, elder care housing, and countless other 
community needs.
  However, the importance of this system extends far beyond the day to 
day needs of our citizens. The need for effective communication was 
made crystal clear in the immediate aftermath of the devastation of 
September 11, when most people did not know where to turn for 
information about their loved ones. Fortunately for those who knew 
about it, 2-1-1 was already operating in Connecticut, and it was 
critical in helping identify the whereabouts of victims, connecting 
frightened children with their parents, providing information on 
terrorist suspects, and linking ready volunteers with coordinated 
efforts and victims with necessary mental and physical health services. 
2-1-1 provided locations of vigils and support groups, and information 
on bioterrorism for those concerned about future attacks.
  As time went by, many people needed help getting back on their feet. 
More than 100,000 people lost their jobs. Close to 2,000 families 
applied for housing assistance because they couldn't pay their rent or 
mortgage. 90,000 people developed symptoms of post-traumatic stress 
disorder or clinical depression within eight weeks of the attacks. 
Another 34,000 people met the criteria for both diagnoses. And 2-1-1 
was there to help.
  The needs were great and the people of America rose to the challenge. 
But our infrastructure struggled to keep up with this outpouring of 
support. In fact, a Brookings Institution and Urban Institute study of 
the aftermath of September 11 found that many dislocated workers 
struggled to obtain available assistance. The devastation of natural 
disasters Hurricanes Katrina and Rita further demonstrated the need to 
connect people to services quickly in a time of crisis. That's what 2-
1-1 is all about: providing a single, efficient, coordinated way for 
people who need help to connect with those who can provide it.
  There is broad, bi-partisan support for this legislation--because the 
need for it has been proven. Unfortunately, in many States, limited 
resources have slowed the process of connecting communities with this 
vital service. Without adequate Federal support, 2-1-1 will not reach a 
nationwide population for decades. The University of Texas developed a 
national cost-benefit analysis that found there would be a savings to 
society of nearly $1.1 billion over ten years if 2-1-1 were operational 
nationwide. The Federal Government, States, counties, businesses and 
citizens all stand to benefit from a nationwide 2-1-1 service.
  As this new Congress moves in a positive direction for America, we 
must enact legislation that best protects and prepares ourselves for 
the future. All fifty States deserve to be equipped with the proper 
communication to respond effectively in an emergency situation.
  Every single American should have a number they can call to cut 
through the chaos of an emergency. That number is 2-1-1. It's time to 
make our citizens and our country safer by making this resource 
available nationwide.
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