Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives supporting the establishment of September as Campus Fire Safety Month, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank my colleagues for support of H. Res. 295. I rise in support of this bipartisan resolution introduced to establish

September as Campus Fire Safety Month.

I want to commend my colleague, my cosponsor, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), for all of the work he has been doing in this area. Many of you recognize that Mr. Weldon has long been involved in fire safety law enforcement and with firefighter issues during his career.

This legislation encourages administrators and municipalities across the country to provide educational programs to all students during September and throughout the school year.

Additionally, the resolution calls for evaluation of the level of fire safety being provided in both on- and off-campus student housing and taking the necessary steps to ensure fire-safe living environments through fire safety education.

It encourages installation of fire suppression and detection systems and the development and enforcement of applicable codes relating to fire safety.

My colleague in the Senate, Mr. Mike DeWine, introduced companion legislation to this resolution in the Senate.

My colleagues have already talked about 89 people having been killed in student housing since January of 2000. Almost 80 percent of the fire fatalities have occurred in off-campus occupancies such as rented houses and apartments. Common factors in a number of these fires include lack of automatic sprinklers, disabled smoke alarms, careless disposal of smoking materials and alcohol consumption.

According to the Center for Campus Fire Safety, April and May, followed by August and September, are the two most dangerous periods of time for student housing fire fatalities. Last year, September was designated as National Campus Fire Safety Month. Currently, 27 States have issued proclamations declaring September as Campus Fire Safety Month.

H. Res. 295 is supported by the Center for Campus Fire Safety, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, the Congressional Fire Services Institute, the National Fire Protection Association, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Firefighters, the National Fire Sprinkler Association, the International Code Council, Society of Fire Protection Engineers and the International Fire Marshals.

It is also supported by many colleges fraternities and sororities across this country, and they have been advocates on our behalf.

For the past few Congresses, I have introduced H. Res. 128, known as the College Fire and Prevention Act.

This legislation would establish a demonstration incentive program within the Department of Education to promote installation of fire sprinkler systems, or other fire suppression or prevention technologies, in qualified student housing or dormitories, and for other purposes. The Congressional Fire Services Institute and others have endorsed this fire prevention legislation.

Fire safety and prevention is an issue that needs to be addressed across the country. Over these few years we have seen many tragedies involving fires at colleges, places of business, entertainment venues, and places of residence. We must begin to put in place our fire suppression measures against fires and increase support and resources for our firefighters to ensure that no more lives are lost to fires that could have been prevented.

I thank all of my colleagues for supporting this resolution, and I know that students across this country, and particularly their parents, will be very happy that we have begun the process of instituting this legislation.

I encourage all of my colleagues to pass this legislation so that we can increase awareness about this problem that affects us all.

And besides that I want to thank my staff, one of them on the floor tonight, Steve Abbott, and others who have worked so very hard with me in order to get this legislation passed.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 295, which establishes September as Campus Fire Safety Month.

I applaud the efforts of my distinguished colleague, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, in bringing this matter to the floor today.

The statistics relating to fire safety on college campuses are startling. Since January 2000, 89 campus-related fire fatalities have been reported in the United States. Three of these were in my home state of New Jersey alone. So far in 2006, we have already lost 11 students to fires on college campuses.

What these tragedies mean is that too many families have had to suffer the unbearable horror of losing a loved one right at the beginning of a promising life.

Despite these fires, many campus communities have taken far too long to act. Indeed, only 35 percent of dormitories and fraternity/sorority houses that suffer fires are equipped with life-saving sprinkler systems.

It is clear that the campus community is falling far behind in fire safety standards and we must do more to urge them to take the steps needed to curb this disturbing trend.

seton hall

I became deeply involved in the issue of campus fire safety after experiencing the terrible aftermath of a catastrophic fire at Seton Hall University in New Jersey in 2000.

That fire killed three young freshmen and wounded 58 other students in a dorm on campus.

campus fire safety right to know act

In response to the devastating fire, I introduced the ``Campus Fire Safety Right to Know Act,'' which passed the House as part of the ``College Access and Opportunity Act'' in March 2006.

This bipartisan legislation required colleges and universities to provide prospective and current students and parents with a report of the school's campus fire safety policies and records.

campus fire safety month legislation

Now, we're talking about designating September as National Campus Fire Safety Month.

Currently, 27 states have issued proclamations declaring September as Campus Fire Safety Month. Historically, September is one of the most fatal months for campus fires.

In recognizing this tragic trend on America's campuses, H. Res. 295 will provide a platform to alert students, their parents, and school administrators to the dangers of campus fires.

H. Res. 295 encourages colleges and universities across the country to provide educational programs to all students in September and throughout the school year.

It urges administrators and municipalities to evaluate the level of fire safety being provided in both on and off campus housing.

They can then take the necessary steps to ensure fire-safe living conditions through fire safety education; the installation of fire suppression and detection systems; and the development and enforcement of applicable codes relating to fire safety.

Mrs. Tubbs Jones' legislation will help to publicize common sense measures that can be taken to prevent the senseless death, injury, and loss of property that result from these tragedies.

H. Res. 295 is supported by the Center for Campus Fire Safety, the National Fire Protection Association, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the National Association of State Fire Marshals, and many others.

conclusion

Educating students about fire safety during their time in school will have a strong impact on the choices they make in the future. If we can influence what they learn, we can create a more fire-safe generation for tomorrow and potentially save thousands, of lives.

This is the least we can do for our students. When we entrust our young people to any institution, we expect that they will be in a safe environment. And we have the right to expect that much.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 295) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives supporting the establishment of September as Campus Fire Safety Month, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 295.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 295, a measure to support establishment of September as Campus Fire Safety Month. So often in this Chamber we consider legislation to expand access to college and strengthen our Federal higher education programs. Today, we have an opportunity to discuss the need to bolster safety on college campuses, specifically fire safety; and we are right to do so. Our Nation's college students should be able to live on campus with the confidence that they will be safe in their dorms, apartments or other housing. This measure will take a key step toward ensuring greater awareness of this issue.

I thank my colleagues, the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), for taking the lead and offering this legislation.

This is not the first time this year that campus fire safety has been a priority for the House. In March, when we passed the College Access and Opportunity Act, we also endorsed an effort to ask colleges and universities to report annually on fire safety efforts. The report would include such information as a list of all student housing facilities and whether or not they were equipped with a sprinkler system or other fire safety program, as well as statistics on occurrences of fires, false alarms, information on various fire safety rules and regulations, and other measures as well.

Mr. Speaker, although that measure has not advanced with our friends on the other side of the Capitol, today we have the opportunity to demonstrate our continued commitment to the safety of college students.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution, and I thank the primary authors of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I just want to close by praising my colleagues on the other side of the aisle but also praising Mr. Weldon, who I know wanted to be here to speak on this. My colleague is correct: I think he is the only former fire chief to be serving in the United States Congress. He has been a vocal leader on the need for fire safety and a strong supporter of our first responders, and I know he feels very strongly about the legislation in front of us.

Mr. Speaker, I urge quick passage of the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, recognizing the organizations that have worked to promote fire safety and save young lives.

Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 295, which establishes September as Campus Fire Safety Month, is a vital part of our efforts to raise awareness about the importance of fire safety across the Nation. Along with the U.S. House of Representatives, 31 states, representing 61 percent of the population, have introduced proclamations and, as a result, many colleges and universities are holding campus fire safety training events during September.

There are several key organizations that are working tirelessly to promote the cause of fire safety and were instrumental in the introduction and passage of H. Res. 295. These include: The Center for Campus Fire Safety, Congressional Fire Services Institute, International Association of Fire Fighters, International Fire Chiefs Association, International Code Council, International Fire Marshals Association, National Association of State Fire Marshals, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, National Fire Protection Association, National Fire Sprinkler Association, Society of Fire Protection Engineers, and Underwriters Laboratories.

The Center for Campus Fire Safety is a central focal point for campus fire safety issues and is led by a staff and Board of Directors of dedicated individuals: Edward Comeau, Michael Halligan, Shawn Kauffman, Timothy Knisely, Paul Martin, and Michael Swain.

The aforementioned individuals are to be commended for their commitment to protecting students and improving fire safety on our campuses.

Teaching our youth the importance of fire safety during their college years will help to protect them not only while they are in school, but for the rest of their lives. The fire safety lessons and skills they learn will be vital in helping to reduce the horrific death toll from fire which claims the life of almost 4,000 people every year in all occupancies across the Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 295, a bill to establish September as Campus Fire Safety Month.

As students get back into the full swing of the school year, we all know that the need to be prepared for campus fire is the last thing perhaps on their mind.

Since January of 2000, the Center for Campus Fire Safety has identified 89 fire fatalities in student housing. Almost 80 percent of these deaths have occurred in off-campus housing such as rented houses and apartments.

Last year, a number of States across the Nation issued proclamations for September, and many schools held events on campus to educate their students about fire safety. This summer, the Center for Campus Safety convened a summer conference of college administrators, fire organizations and legislators to further the work and progress of many of the stakeholders. We hope through education and attention to the dangers on and off campus we can reduce the numbers of fires.

H. Res. 295 is the first step in recognizing September as Campus Fire Safety Month on a national level, which is being done in conjunction with many States and colleges and universities across the country.

Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones), the sponsor of this legislation, and I ask unanimous consent that she be permitted to manage the remainder of our time on this side for H. Res. 295.