[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 110 (Monday, July 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 NATIONAL COMMISSION ON CHILDREN AND DISASTERS REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 
                                  2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 20, 2010

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5266, 
to extend the final report deadline and otherwise reauthorize the 
national commission on children and disasters. H.R. 5266, is an 
important piece of legislation that assists a commission whose job is 
to report to Congress and the President on the necessary precautions 
and actions needed before major disasters or emergencies.
  I would like to thank Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, and 
Chairman Oberstar for their leadership in bringing this bill to the 
floor. I also thank the sponsor of this legislation, Congresswoman 
Brown, for her important work on the reauthorization of the national 
commission on children and disasters through 2013.
  Madam Speaker, in an average 3-year period, roughly 5 hurricanes 
strike the coastlines of the United States. The 2009 Atlantic hurricane 
season included 9 named storms, including 3 hurricanes, 2 of which were 
category 3 or higher. In 2009 there were 1843 earthquakes in the United 
States between the magnitudes of 3.0 and 6.0. From 2007 to the present, 
269 fatalities have resulted from tornadoes. As Chair of the 
Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response, 
my Subcommittee recently held a hearing on the difficulties of reaching 
those with special needs, such as children, during emergencies such as 
a hurricane or tornado. Children comprise about 25 percent of our 
population and have unique needs during a disaster that require 
specific recognition and coordination on the part of federal, state, 
Tribal and local governments and their non-governmental disaster-relief 
partners. The rise in major disaster declarations over the past two 
decades, and more recent disasters have highlighted the need to improve 
the gaps in preparedness, response and recovery policies that should 
specifically address the needs of children.
  Madam Speaker, I am pleased that H.R. 5266 would reauthorize the 
National Commission on Children and Disasters through 2013. The 
National Commission on Children and Disasters examines and reports to 
the Congress and the President on the needs of children during the 
preparation for, response to, and recovery from major disasters and 
emergencies. Under current law, the commission would terminate in 2011.
  I conclusion, Madam Speaker, I support this legislation to keep our 
children safe. I am pleased that Congress is taking action to promote 
increased safety measures in emergency situations as well as providing 
the funds in support.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 
5266.

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