[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 65 (Thursday, April 15, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E404-E405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




NICHOLAS AND ZACHARY BURT MEMORIAL CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING PREVENTION 
                              ACT 0F 2021

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 14, 2021

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1460, 
the ``Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning 
Prevention Act of 2021'', named after two young Minnesotan brothers who 
died of carbon monoxide poisoning, which directs the Consumer Product 
Safety Commission (CPSC) to award grants to states and tribal 
organizations to install carbon monoxide alarms in the homes of 
lowincome families and older adults and facilities that commonly serve 
children or older adults.
  The Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning 
Prevention Act would also authorize the CPSC to establish a federal 
grant program to fund education and installation of CO detectors by 
state, local and tribal governments.
  With better, commonsense safeguards in place, we can address the 
danger of accidental death by carbon monoxide poisoning, which 
represents a real danger for individuals and families.
  According to the Center for Disease Control, at least 430 people in 
the U.S. die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning and approximately 
50,000 people are forced to seek medical attention for accidental CO 
poisoning.
  Carbon monoxide poisoning is an unimaginable way to die--it prevents 
blood from being able to buy into oxygen; causing suffocation while 
still being able to breathe.
  Mr. Speaker, the devastating and unprecedented winter storm in Texas 
finally gave this important issue the national attention it deserves; 
but it came at the cost of the lives and health of Texans.
  The plunging temperatures and persistent power outages this past / 
February found residents in my district searching for warmth 
increasingly from dangerous sources.
  In one dark week in February, fire departments in Harris County alone 
responded to over 475 carbon monoxide calls.
  During this week, like millions of Texans, Etenesh Mersha lost power 
during the storm.
  In order to provide warmth for herself, her husband, and their two 
children, she turned on her car in an attached garage, leading to 
carbon monoxide poisoning for herself and her family.
  Etenesh left the car running, and by the time help arrived, she and 
her daughter, Rakeb, died; Her husband and 8-year-old son were rushed 
to the hospital and survived.
  A mother and daughter died while trying to stay warm because 
regulators in Texas had decided to forgo federal and state regulation.
  At least 300 other cases of carbon monoxide poisoning, were reported 
in Harris County, making it a disaster within a disaster.
  Although carbon monoxide is not visible, there are concrete ways we 
can protect against this unseen threat, including for those who are 
most vulnerable, like children and the elderly.
  This legislation bolsters states' efforts to reduce the risk of 
carbon monoxide poisoning and help prevent these tragedies in Texas and 
across the nation.
  Mr. Speaker, the CPSC must take action to better educate and inform 
families about the risks associated with improper methods to heat and 
power homes and work with the media to share this critical information.
  I urge all members to join me in voting to pass H.R. 1460, the 
Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention 
Act of 2021, because the tragic deaths in Texas has shown that this 
danger must be addressed.

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