|
Washington, D.C. -- Today Congressman David Wu successfully helped usher the U.S. Tsunami Warning Education Act (H.R. 1674) through the House Science Subcommittee on Environment, Technology and Standards. H.R. 1674 builds upon the successful partnership that exists between federal, state, and local governments on the west coast to ensure that all U.S. coastal communities will be prepared to deal with tsunamis. The bill authorizes warning systems and community education plans needed to avoid the catastrophic loss of life.
"We cannot prevent earthquakes and tsunamis, but we can prepare for them and ensure the citizens of our coastal communities take appropriate action when an event occurs," said Congressman Wu. "Detection and forecasting are not sufficient. States and local communities must be prepared to disseminate the warning and direct the public to safe areas. Individual citizens must know where to go when they receive a warning," said Wu.
"I voted for this bill today because I support moving this legislation forward as expeditiously as possible. However, I believe a greater portion of funds in the bill should provide for community preparedness. I will work with my west coast colleagues on the full Science Committee to address this concern."
The Tsunami Warning Education Act is one of the ways that Congressman Wu has been working to develop tsunami preparedness. In March of this year, he hosted a Congressional Science Committee Tsunami Preparedness Forum in Seaside, Oregon. The forum brought together representatives from the fields of science, emergency preparedness, federal, state and local governments and the private sector. The forum provided the public with the opportunity to ask questions and receive the most up to date information on tsunami preparedness.
Congressman Wu is the ranking member on the Environment, Technology and Standards Science Subcommittee. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which handles all activities related to weather, weather services, climate, is included in the Subcommittee's jurisdiction.
###
|
