[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 31 (Monday, February 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 COMMUNITY PROTECTION AND RESPONSE ACT

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                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 23, 2009

  Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, today I am re-introducing the Community 
Protection and Response Act to eliminate confusion in responding to 
disasters following homeland security events.
  One of the major lessons learned in the aftermath of September 11, 
2001 is that timely response is critical. Any delay complicates short-, 
medium-, and long-term recovery efforts. Sadly, many of the lessons 
that we have learned have gone without an appropriate response.
  In response to the attacks of September 11 for example, Congress took 
a series of actions to bring relief to affected areas. These 
legislative actions along with existing statutes, including the Robert 
T. Stafford Relief and Emergency Act and the Disaster Mitigation Act, 
formed the framework for the federal government's response. The 
magnitude of the attacks and the need for Congress to take action 
before certain relief could be delivered added to the challenge of the 
recovery efforts and exposed critical weaknesses in federal authority 
to respond.
  The Community Protection and Response Act would amend the Stafford 
Act along with other statutes and would give the President a series of 
policy options to choose from following a homeland security event. A 
homeland security event is defined as an event that poses a significant 
risk to the security of people and property and is in such a magnitude 
that effective response is beyond the scope and capability of the 
affected state and local government. Many of these options are based on 
congressional action following September 11th or other policy 
suggestions in reports by the Congressional Research Service, the 
Government Accountability Office and the New York branch of the Federal 
Reserve. Specifically, in the event of a homeland security event, the 
President can provide grants for lost tax revenue, aid to school 
systems, and assistance to medical facilities and utility companies. 
The bill also establishes guidelines to ensure the public health of 
area residents and disaster workers.
  This bill is an important failsafe and preventative measure that will 
ensure America is prepared to respond to any homeland security event in 
the future.

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