[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 145 (Thursday, October 8, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  SUPPORTING CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. PHIL GINGREY

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 6, 2009

  Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my 
support for H. Res. 167, a resolution that supports the goals and 
ideals of recognizing September as Campus Fire Safety Month. This 
recognition would both heighten awareness and encourage improvements in 
the overall safety on our college and university campuses.
  Since January 2000, 129 people including students, parents, and 
children, have died in student housing fires, many of which were 
preventable. Currently a majority of college students live off campus, 
and eighty percent of these deaths have occurred in off campus housing. 
One recent example is more personal for me. Over the 2008 Christmas 
break, there was a suspected arson at the Sigma Nu fraternity house at 
Texas A&M University. Thankfully, no one was residing in the house at 
that time, but as a Sigma Nu from my days at Georgia Tech, my prayers 
continue to be with the chapter in Texas for the rebuilding of their 
residence.
  Nationally, more needs to be done to improve campus-wide fire safety 
awareness programs so as to prevent the loss of life and property 
damage on college and university campuses. Many of these fatal fires 
have occurred in buildings where the fire safety systems have been 
compromised, are obsolete, or have been disabled by occupants. College 
administrations must continue to make students aware of the need for 
automatic fire alarm systems and the safety they provide to occupants 
and local fire departments.
  Madam Speaker, fire safety education is imperative on college and 
university campuses across the nation. This resolution encourages 
administrators and municipalities to evaluate the level of fire safety 
being provided in both on- and off-campus student housing. It further 
calls upon them take the necessary steps to ensure fire safe living 
environments through fire safety education, installation of fire 
suppression and detection systems, and the development and enforcement 
of applicable codes relating to fire safety. I urge all of my 
colleagues to support this resolution so that we can protect future 
generations of our nation's leaders from the devastating and 
potentially life threatening effects of campus fires.

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