National Commission on Children and Disasters Reauthorization Act of 2010

Floor Speech

* Ms. RICHARDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5266, to extend the final report deadline and otherwise reauthorize the national commission on children and disasters. H.R. 5266, is an important piece of legislation that assists a commission whose job is to report to Congress and the President on the necessary precautions and actions needed before major disasters or emergencies.

* I would like to thank Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, and Chairman Oberstar for their leadership in bringing this bill to the floor. I also thank the sponsor of this legislation, Congresswoman Brown, for her important work on the reauthorization of the national commission on children and disasters through 2013.

* Madam Speaker, in an average 3-year period, roughly 5 hurricanes strike the coastlines of the United States. The 2009 Atlantic hurricane season included 9 named storms, including 3 hurricanes, 2 of which were category 3 or higher. In 2009 there were 1843 earthquakes in the United States between the magnitudes of 3.0 and 6.0. From 2007 to the present, 269 fatalities have resulted from tornadoes. As Chair of the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response, my Subcommittee recently held a hearing on the difficulties of reaching those with special needs, such as children, during emergencies such as a hurricane or tornado. Children comprise about 25 percent of our population and have unique needs during a disaster that require specific recognition and coordination on the part of federal, state, Tribal and local governments and their non-governmental disaster-relief partners. The rise in major disaster declarations over the past two decades, and more recent disasters have highlighted the need to improve the gaps in preparedness, response and recovery policies that should specifically address the needs of children.

* Madam Speaker, I am pleased that H.R. 5266 would reauthorize the National Commission on Children and Disasters through 2013. The National Commission on Children and Disasters examines and reports to the Congress and the President on the needs of children during the preparation for, response to, and recovery from major disasters and emergencies. Under current law, the commission would terminate in 2011.

* I conclusion, Madam Speaker, I support this legislation to keep our children safe. I am pleased that Congress is taking action to promote increased safety measures in emergency situations as well as providing the funds in support.

* Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5266.

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