[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 14]
[SE]
[Page 19287]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 229--DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2005 AS 
                    ``NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH''

  Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Mr. Lieberman) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 229

       Whereas terrorist attacks, natural disasters, or other 
     emergencies could strike any part of the United States at any 
     time;
       Whereas natural and man-made emergencies disrupt hundreds 
     of thousands of lives every year, costing lives and causing 
     serious injuries and billions of dollars in property damage;
       Whereas Federal, State, and local officials and private 
     entities are working to deter, prevent, and respond to all 
     types of emergencies;
       Whereas all citizens can help promote the overall emergency 
     preparedness of the United States by preparing themselves and 
     their families for all types of emergencies;
       Whereas National Preparedness Month provides an opportunity 
     to highlight the importance of public emergency preparedness 
     and to encourage the people of the United States to take 
     steps to be better prepared for emergencies at home, work, 
     and school;
       Whereas the people of the United States can prepare for 
     emergencies by taking steps such as assembling emergency 
     supply kits, creating family emergency plans, and staying 
     informed about possible emergencies; and
       Whereas additional information about public emergency 
     preparedness may be obtained through the Ready Campaign of 
     the Department of Homeland Security at www.ready.gov or the 
     American Red Cross at www.redcross.org/preparedness: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates September 2005 as ``National Preparedness 
     Month''; and
       (2) encourages the Federal Government, States, localities, 
     schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, other entities, 
     and the people of the United States to observe ``National 
     Preparedness Month'' with appropriate events and activities 
     to promote public emergency preparedness.

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to express my support for S. 
229, a resolution designating September 2005 as National Preparedness 
Month.
  As the horrific attacks in London again demonstrate, the threat of a 
terrorist attack is very real. Although we have made significant 
strides in preventing and deterring another attack from occurring in 
the United States, it is imperative that steps be taken to mitigate the 
effects of the attack. In addition, natural disasters can strike at any 
given moment and we must know how to respond.
  During the month of September, the Department of Homeland Security 
and the American Red Cross will co-sponsor National Preparedness Month 
2005. This nationwide effort will involve more than 130 private sector 
organizations that will host and sponsor activities across the Nation 
to increase public awareness of preparedness. Activities such as CPR 
and first aid classes, blood drives, and other events is a simple and 
effective way for communities to become involved in preparedness 
efforts. Families, schools, and businesses can prepare for emergencies 
by taking steps such as making emergency supply kits, becoming informed 
about emergencies, and creating a family communications plan.
  I join Senator Lieberman in cosponsoring this resolution to promote 
citizen emergency preparedness. I hope that my colleagues will join us 
by supporting this important initiative.

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