Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones College Fire Prevention Act

Floor Speech

* Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2136, the Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones College Fire Prevention Act, which establishes the Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones Fire Suppression Demonstration Incentive Program within the Department of Education to promote installation of fire sprinkler systems or other fire suppression or prevention technologies.

* I would like to acknowledge Speaker PELOSI and Majority Leader HOYER for their leadership in bringing this important resolution to the floor. I would also like to thank my colleague Congressman FUDGE, who introduced this legislation in honor of our distinguished colleague Stephanie Tubbs Jones. The late Congresswoman Tubbs Jones introduced the College Fire Prevention Act in each of the last four sessions of Congress and passed a resolution regarding Campus Fire Safety Month. I am pleased that the legislation she worked so hard on is finally coming before the House.

* As Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response, fire prevention for students is an important issue to me. There are between 1,500 and 1,800 fires each year in college residence halls, dormitories, and sorority or fraternity houses. But when fire suppression technology is present in student housing, the chance of surviving a fire increases by 97 percent and the likelihood of property damage is 35 percent less.

* H.R. 2136 establishes an incentive program within the Department of Education (DOE) that will promote the installation of fire sprinkler systems or other fire suppression or prevention technologies, in qualified student housing or dormitories. The program will provide competitive matching grants that will fund up to half of the installation costs and priority will be given to applicants that demonstrate the greatest financial need. In addition, the legislation would reserve at least 10 percent of the funds in grant program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities, and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions. At least 10 percent will be reserved for fraternities and sororities.

* In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation to keep our students safe. I am pleased that Congress is taking action to promote increased safety measures in college dormitories as well as providing the funds in support.

* Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2136.

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