[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 130 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1654-E1655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     LEAD-SAFE HOUSING FOR KIDS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 29, 2008

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 6309 the ``Lead Safe Housing for Kids Act''. First, I would like 
to thank my distinguished colleague, Keith Ellison of Minnesota, for 
introducing this important legislation. This bill will amend the 
``Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992'' by 
setting the environmental intervention level for lead to 10 micrograms 
per deciliter. Its purpose is to enact stricter provisions concerning 
the hazards resulting from lead-based paint in households. I strongly 
encourage my colleagues to support this act.
  The ``Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act'' is important because of its 
potential to ensure

[[Page E1655]]

greater protection for children. Children are most at risk of suffering 
from the toxicity of lead paint. Lead is a dangerous substance, 
especially so for children under the age of six, who are only beginning 
the process of developing their bodies and brains. Lead paint can cause 
nervous system damage, loss of hearing, stunted growth, severe kidney 
damage, and can even disrupt the development of the brain and the 
faculty of cognition.
  Lead-contaminated household dust, resulting from lead paint is the 
primary cause of lead poisoning in children throughout the United 
States. Though the number of children in the United States with 
dangerous levels of lead has dropped from 13.5 million in 1978, roughly 
300,000 children still have unsafe blood lead levels that are in excess 
of 10 micrograms per deciliter. 300 thousand, a number equaling half of 
the population of Texas District 18, are currently at a distinct risk 
of suffering from lead poisoning. Indeed, this is a major problem.
  Of the $43.4 billion spent in the United States annually on pediatric 
environmental disease, a great majority goes to combating and treating 
childhood lead poisoning. It is because of this that we must act now in 
putting forth more stringent testing requirements to combat the grave 
danger posed by lead paint.
  Upon enactment of the act, the HUD will have 90 days to comply with 
the new environmental intervention blood lead level of at or above 10 
micrograms of per deciliter, the point at which the CDC has found cause 
for concern. This bill will save countless children from suffering from 
the myriad ailments that come hand in hand with lead paint.
  The tragedies of these children and others have exposed the 
fundamental problem which this bill addresses. For too long there has 
been no clear federally mandated standard to indicate excess blood lead 
levels in households, or to require action. This bill will go far to 
ensure that the children of our Nation are able to enjoy good health, 
by making certain that all houses become lead safe.
  Recently I amended H.R. 2352, the ``School Safety Enhancement Act of 
2007'', which sought to enhance the safety of our elementary schools, 
secondary schools, and institutions of higher learning, by increasing 
the amount of money available for school safety. It is critical 
especially that we make funds available for poor communities, and 
specifically to require the creation of a tip hotline for school 
officials, parents, and students, to report the existence of hazards 
and chemicals. I also provided amendments that would require 
institutions to create a safety plan, dealing with potential terror, 
chemical, or otherwise hazardous situations. These concerns for the 
safety of children in schools are similar to those concerns that I have 
for the wellbeing of children in their homes. In both situations, I 
believe children should be free from the dangers presented by hazardous 
materials and situations, including the threat of lead paint.
  As the safety of children should be critical to all Americans, I urge 
my colleagues to support this act to protect our Nation's children and 
our Nation's future from harm's way.

                          ____________________