On September 9, 2013 Rep. Susan Brooks of Indiana was granted permission to address the United States House of Representatives for one minute regarding the importance of National Preparedness Month. She currently serves on the Education and Workforce, Homeland Security and Ethics Committees. She is also the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications.
“Mr. Speaker, after 9/11, September became National Preparedness Month, a month to encourage Americans to take steps to prepare for disasters or emergencies in their homes, businesses and communities. Recent events such as Hurricane Sandy; the Boston Marathon bombing; the West, Texas, plant explosion; deadly tornados in Oklahoma; and flooding in my own district reinforce the need for preparedness planning.”
“As chair of the Homeland Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, and as congressional cochair of National Preparedness Month, I urge all Members to promote preparedness activities in their districts. Encourage your constituents to build and maintain emergency kits, develop and exercise emergency plans, and participate in local preparedness activities”, she said.
“I also urge Members to learn more about how local response organizations are using social media and encourage your constituents to follow local responders on Twitter and Facebook”, adding “National Preparedness Month is also a good time to thank our firefighters, police officers, emergency managers, and their families, whose persistent sacrifices make our country more secure and more prepared”, said Brooks (source: Congressional Record September 9, 2013 http://thomas.loc.gov/home).