[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 15929-15930]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  SENATE RESOLUTION 148--DESIGNATING OCTOBER 30, 2001, AS ``NATIONAL 
                          WEATHERIZATION DAY''

  Mr. BIDEN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 148

  Whereas the average family in the United States spends more than 
$1,300 annually on utility bills.
       Whereas that figure represents nearly 15 percent of a low-
     income family's income and could approach 18 percent as fuel 
     costs steadily rise;
       Whereas the Weatherization Assistance Program (referred to 
     in this resolution as the ``Program''), by using Federal, 
     State, local, and private dollars, benefits households and 
     communities across the Nation by providing cost-effective, 
     energy-efficient retrofits to homes occupied by low-income 
     families;
       Whereas the average energy cost savings for each home that 
     is weatherized is more than $250 annually, allowing families 
     to spend the saved money on groceries, doctor bills, 
     prescriptions, and other needs, thereby making them more 
     self-sufficient;
       Whereas carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by an average 
     of 1 ton per weatherized household, reducing pollution levels 
     in our air;
       Whereas 52 jobs are created within the Nation's communities 
     for each $1,000,000 invested in weatherization;
       Whereas for every $1 invested by the Department of Energy 
     in the Program, another $3.39 is leveraged from other 
     sources;
       Whereas the Program works with public and private partners 
     to help reduce the energy burden of the Nation's low-income 
     families and promote the benefits of weatherization to all 
     people in the Nation;
       Whereas people across the Nation should become more aware 
     of the importance of energy conservation, pollution 
     reduction, and safer homes; and
       Whereas a concerted public information campaign will help 
     get the weatherization message to the people in our Nation: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. NATIONAL RESPONSE TO WEATHERIZATION.

       (a) Designation.--The Senate--
       (1) designates October 30, 2001, as ``National 
     Weatherization Day'';
       (2) encourages families to learn about the benefits of 
     weatherizing their homes, including energy conservation, 
     money savings, and safer homes for their children; and
       (3) encourages community action and service agencies, 
     Federal, State, and local government agencies, and private 
     sector partners to work together to promote the positive 
     aspects of weatherizing our Nation's housing stock.

[[Page 15930]]

       (b) Proclamation.--The Senate requests that the President 
     issue a proclamation calling upon the Federal, State, local, 
     and private sector leaders of our Nation to observe and 
     promote National Weatherization Day with appropriate 
     partnerships, activities, and ceremonies.

  Mr. BIDEN. Madam President, today I am proud to submit a resolution 
expressing the sense of the Senate that October 30, 2001, be designated 
as ``National Weatherization Day.'' By doing so, we will anchor a 
national effort by States, localities, and community groups to raise 
the awareness of all Americans concerning the importance of 
weatherizing the Nation's housing stock to conserve energy, thereby 
reducing consumption of all forms of energy.
  October is already designated as Energy Awareness Month and will 
serve as the ideal host month for this day. Why, then, do we need a day 
specifically devoted to supporting weatherization efforts? Although 
some people today know of the benefits of weatherizing a home, most 
unfortunately do not. Weatherization Day, then, will help bring 
targeted recognition of these efforts, and specifically those of the 
U.S. Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program, which 
uses Federal, State, local, and private dollars to provide cost-
effective, energy-efficient retrofits to homes occupied by low-income 
families.
  The average family in the United States spends more than $1,300 
annually on utility bills. For low-income families, that can take away 
almost 15 percent of their entire annual income, and 18 percent if fuel 
costs rise as they have been for the past year. That is unacceptable 
and that is why the Weatherization Assistance Program exists today. The 
average energy cost savings for each home that is weatherized is more 
than $250 annually. This gives these families the ability to purchase 
essential items like groceries and prescription drugs, pay for medical 
bills, and make themselves more self-sufficient. At the same time, 
weatherizing a home also provides a substantial economic and 
environmental boon to local communities, by adding an average of 52 
jobs for every $1,000,000 invested and by reducing carbon dioxide 
emissions by an average of 1 ton per weatherized household.
  I think that we owe it to ourselves and, more importantly, to our 
future generations, to continue to improve the awareness of all 
Americans of the importance of energy conservation, pollution 
reduction, and safer homes. By having a designated Weatherization Day, 
we will provide much-needed attention to this issue.

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