[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19719]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



INTRODUCTION OF THE PROTECTING AMERICA'S CHILDREN AGAINST TERRORISM ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 11, 2001

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation 
designed to protect our most vulnerable citizens in the event of a 
terrorist attack: our children.
  The events of September 11 have illustrated only too clearly for us 
the risks posed to our children by terrorism. Children perished aboard 
the planes that crashed. Both the World Trade Center and the Pentagon 
housed day care centers. Nearby schools had to be evacuated. And an 
estimated 10,000 American children lost a parent as a result of these 
atrocities--many of them losing their sole or primary caregiver.
  In recent weeks, new concerns have emerged. With the threat of 
bioterrorism and chemical warfare more prominent, we have realized that 
our understanding of the proper dosages of vaccines and antidotes for 
children is incomplete. Few health care providers are trained to 
recognize the early signs of smallpox or anthrax, which can mimic cold 
or flu symptoms. The National Pharmaceutical Stockpile Program is not 
necessarily equipped with the supplies necessary to administer drugs or 
other treatment to large numbers of children.
  Other needs have become evident as well. Many schools lack effective 
evacuation plans or methods of moving children to an alternative safe 
location. Networks do not exist for informing parents of evacuations 
and the sites where their children may be found. Mental health services 
are not always available for children traumatized by catastrophic 
events.
  Finally, the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks robbed untold 
numbers of children of their sole parent or caregiver. While these 
children are now largely being cared for by relatives and friends, they 
are considered orphans by the government. We must establish a method 
for settling these children in loving homes and ensuring that all 
possible aid and services are provided to them in a coordinated, 
comprehensive fashion.
  I am proud to join my colleague, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, in 
introducing today the Protecting America's Children Against Terrorism 
Act. This bill addresses each of these critical issues, supplying 
federal resources and coordination to ensure that our children's needs 
are met in the event of a terrorist attack.
  The bill would protect children against bioterrorism by:
  Establishing a National Task Force on Children and Terrorism. The 
task force would examine and make recommendations regarding the 
preparedness of our Nation's health system for mass casualties of 
children and youth resulting from bioterrorism.
  Establishing a Children and Terrorism Information Network. The 
network would collect and disseminate information for health providers 
on how to prepare for a biological or chemical terrorist attack and 
what steps to take to ensure children get the health care they need in 
the case of an attack.
  Providing research funding on children and bioterrorism.
  Supporting training programs for physicians and health care 
personnel.
  Ensuring that the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile Program (NPSP) 
includes inventories to meet the medical needs of children.
  The bill would protect our schoolchildren by:
  Recommending advance plans for school evacuations, safe places and 
parental notification.
  Ensuring mental health services for children affected by terrorism 
and their caregivers.
  The bill would secure our social services infrastructure to assist 
children and families by:
  Helping communities provide universal hotlines, such as 2-1-1.
  And, finally, the bill would provide services for children orphaned 
as a result of terrorism by:
  Establishing an Office of Children's Services after any disaster in 
which children have lost their custodial parent(s).
  The events of September 11 have revealed to us the gaps in our 
preparedness for a major disaster. We owe it to our children to ensure 
that we close these gaps before a future emergency--be it terrorism, 
natural disaster, or other cause--requires that we take action.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in lending strong support to the 
Protecting America's Children Against Terrorism Act. Our precious 
children deserve no less.

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