Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones College Fire Prevention Act

Let me begin by thanking Representative Susan Davis for allowing me to participate in this session here this afternoon.

I would like to take a moment to say a personal word about my dear friend Stephanie Tubbs Jones, who was a powerful voice for justice, equality and opportunity, who served the people of Ohio's 11th Congressional District and this Nation with passion and dedication. Unfortunately, Stephanie passed away unexpectedly last month, and it is a great loss to this cause and to our country.

Throughout her five terms in Congress, Representative Tubbs Jones tirelessly advocated for campus fire safety and was the author of numerous pieces of legislation on the issue. She introduced, and saw pass, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Campus Fire Safety Month. She was also the primary sponsor of the College Fire Prevention Act, which she introduced in the 107th Congress and then reintroduced in the 108th, the 109th and the 110th.

I am here today to pay tribute to her efforts as a champion for campus fire safety and am proud to take her place as the lead sponsor of the College Fire Prevention Act so that we can continue her legacy by passing this important measure and renaming it the Stephanie Tubbs Jones College Fire Prevention Act.

The Stephanie Tubbs Jones College Fire Prevention Act will establish a demonstration incentive program within the Department of Education to promote the installation of fire sprinkler systems, or other fire suppression or prevention technologies, in qualified student housing or dormitories.

Since January 2000, over 125 people have died in campus-related fires, with over 83 percent of them occurring in off-campus housing. That is why National Campus Fire Safety Month is focused on educating students about fire safety so they can be prepared no matter where a fire should ignite.

Congress has not ignored this growing problem. We realize that knowledge is power, and that is why we passed the provisions of the Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know Act in the 2008 Higher Education Opportunity Act, which became law last month.

This legislation requires the Secretary of Education to report the number of campus-related fires that have occurred and the number of deaths and interests that resulted from those fires. The report will also contain the number of residence hall rooms equipped with automatic fire sprinkler systems and fire alarms. It is also important that this report give parents and students an understanding of how much fire prevention training is provided to students and staff, the college or university's fire safety policies, and any future plans for improving fire safety.

Nearly a year ago, I took to this floor to offer my condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of students lost in a fire at Ocean Isle, North Carolina. Seven students perished in that fire; six from the University of South Carolina, which I proudly represent in this body, and one from Clemson University. At that time, we mourned their lives and the future promise they held and the fact that they were cut short in such a dramatic way.

However, today, I think we can see the legacy of their lives in this room. We have made strides in promoting campus fire safety because of their moving stories, and we will continue to improve campus fire safety to prevent other families from sharing in this tragic experience.

Today, I'm here to pay that favor forward.

I add my voice to those here today to pay tribute to Representative Tubbs Jones' courageous efforts and say that I am committed to the issue of campus fire safety.

Mr. Speaker I rise today in support of H. Res. 95, a bipartisan resolution that I, along with Mr. Whitfield, introduced to establish September as Campus Fire Safety Month.

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

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

In June, the Senate adopted a similar resolution, sponsored by Senator Joe Biden, that also encourages campus fire safety across the Nation.

Nationwide, 113 people have been killed in student housing since January 2000, as identified by the Center for Campus Fire Safety, a nonprofit organization that compiles information on campus-related fires. 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, April and May, followed by August and September, are the two most dangerous periods of time for student housing fire fatalities. So far 31 States have issued proclamations declaring September as Campus Fire Safety Month. Historically, September is one of the most fatal months for campus fires, but for the first time since 2000 there were no fatalities last September.

H. Res. 95 is supported by the Center for Campus Fire Safety, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, Congressional Fire Services Institute, National Fire Protection Association, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters, National Fire Sprinkler Association, International Code Council, Society of Fire Protection Engineers, International Association of Fire Marshals.

For the past few Congresses I have introduced H.R. 642, 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, the National Fire Sprinkler Association and the American Fire Sprinkler Association have endorsed this fire prevention legislation.

Fire safety and prevention is an issue that needs to be addressed across this country. Over these few years we have seen many tragedies involving fire at colleges, places of business, entertainment venues and places of residence. We must begin to put in place suppression measures against fires and increase support and resources for our fire fighters to ensure that no more lives are lost to fires that could have been prevented. I am pleased to say that this institution adopted this resolution in the 109th Congress and will do so again today. It is encouraging that we remain committed to bringing awareness to this issue in order to prevent more needless deaths of our students.

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

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

I rise in support of H.R. 642, the Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones College Fire Prevention Act, and I join my colleagues in honoring our colleague.

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.

The timing and the name of this bill are appropriate because this month is often designated as Campus Fire Safety Month, and there was no Member more concerned about protecting our college students from the dangers of fire than the late Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones. This bill would honor Representative Tubbs Jones by naming a demonstration program in her honor.

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 step toward ensuring that colleges have the ability to ensure their buildings are properly equipped with the latest fire safety measures.

This measure, combined with the provisions enacted by Congress in the Higher Education Opportunity Act, will increase campus fire safety on colleges and universities. The provisions included in the Higher Education Opportunity Act required colleges to provide a fire safety report to the Secretary of Education. The report must include statistics showing the number of fires and injuries resulting from fires on campus over the past year. It will also require colleges to report on the type of fire prevention technologies they are utilizing and any plans the colleges may have to improve their fire prevention and detection technologies. The bill before us today will help colleges think creatively about fire safety and ensure that they have the funds to move forward with their plans.

Today, we have the opportunity to honor Representative Tubbs Jones' commitment to the safety of college students and pass a measure that will help colleges keep our young people safe from devastating fires.

While I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, our efforts to help college students will be incomplete until we also approve a true and honest all-of-the-above energy reform package that puts our Nation on the path to energy independence. Our higher education system is being squeezed by high energy costs just as the rest of society is. Schools are being forced to limit their operations and reduce the number of school days just to save on utility costs and save their students the price of a day's commute.

The majority met behind closed doors to craft a bill that offers more in the way of political cover than actual energy reform. This is not the change Americans need, and it's not the change they deserve. We need a real energy policy, not one that looks good on paper but keeps vital American resources under lock and key.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, we're pleased to join our colleagues on the other side of the aisle in paying this tribute to our colleague.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 95) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives supporting the goals and ideals of Campus Fire Safety Month, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may insert material relevant to H. Res. 95 into the Record.

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

(Mr. HOLT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express support for the goals and ideals of Campus Fire Safety Month, introduced by the representative from Ohio, Mrs. Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Campus fire safety is an important issue for students all over the country. Since January of 2000, at least 113 young people have died in student housing fires. These unfortunate deaths may have been prevented by better education of fire safety measures and implementation of effective prevention systems.

In my own State of New Jersey, early on January 19, 2000, a fire killed three students and injured 58 others at Seton Hall University. Over 75 percent of these fatalities around the country have occurred in off-campus housing. It should be a priority to make sure that all students are aware of fire safety information, especially those students who do not live in on-campus housing. Fire safety training should be a continuing process so that our Nation's young people practice fire safety throughout their lives.

As we send our Nation's students off to campuses this month to further their education, it is essential that they are in safe environments. Simple steps such as testing smoke detectors and having a working and accessible fire extinguisher can help keep our students safe. By recognizing September as Campus Fire Safety Month, this resolution will help bring awareness to such simple and critical measures to protect students from fire hazards.

Mr. Speaker, the knowledge and skills learned through fire safety training are invaluable for everyone. I would like to encourage administrators and municipalities across the country to provide educational programs to all students during September and throughout the school year.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution.

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

I appreciate the remarks of the gentleman from Minnesota. May I ask if he has any further speakers?

Mr. Speaker, as the gentleman from Minnesota has said, we are safer, students in dormitories and off-campus housing are safer than they were 6, 8 years ago. We have learned things to do. In this case, we know what to do. The education should be carried forward. Designation of this awareness month will help in that educational effort.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support enthusiastically this measure.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 642) to 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 and dormitories, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 642 into the Record.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 642, the College Fire Prevention Act. This legislation is the result of the life work of the late Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones.

Many of us know the commitment of Representative Tubbs Jones to the cause of campus fire safety. Every September, she would come to the floor to advocate for the recognition of September as Campus Fire Safety Month. Because of her efforts, States around the country also recognized September as Campus Fire Safety Month and helped to make students aware of the dangers they face and to ensure that colleges and universities do all they can to assist students.

H.R. 642 builds on Representative Tubbs Jones' work to protect students on campus by creating a demonstration program within the Department of Education to encourage colleges and universities to install fire sprinkler systems and other fire suppression and prevention technologies in student housing and dormitories.

I can think of no better time to talk about campus fire safety than now, when our students are returning to schools. We all know that in the hustle and bustle of moving in and getting ready for class, thoughts of whether one is prepared for a fire can sometimes get lost.

Historically, August and September are two of the most fatal months for campus fires. We can assist institutions in avoiding these preventable tragedies by encouraging colleges and universities to educate students about fire safety before they arrive on campus.

In passing this legislation here today, we not only honor the work of Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones, but we also ensure the safety of students on campus.

I urge the passage of this timely and important legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to recognize the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn) for as much time as he may consume.

Mr. Speaker, we come on the floor once again to honor the life and work of the late Stephanie Tubbs Jones, and we do that with this bill, very important bill, H.R. 642, the College Fire Prevention Act. I'm delighted that Mr. Clyburn was able to be here and to continue her legacy in this way.

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