EMERSON IS CO-CHAIRMAN OF TASK FORCE ON DISASTERS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Eighth District U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson this week was named co-chairman of a new bi-partisan Natural Disasters Task Force in Congress.

The task force is charged with finding more effective ways to meet the needs of people who are victims of natural disasters, and developing a sensible approach to addressing their impact on the federal budget.

Emerson was named to the post by House Minority Leader Bob Michel of Illinois. The other co-chairman is U.S. Rep. Dick Durbin of Illinois, who was named by House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt of St. Louis.

The two House leaders will serve as ex-officio members of the task force.

Emerson said recent disasters such as the severe flooding in the Midwest, hurricanes in Florida, and the earthquake in Los Angeles illustrate the need for such a committee.

"I am honored to be appointed as the leading Republican in this bi-artisan congressional effort," said Emerson Thursday. "In light of the Great Flood of 1993, hurricanes in the Southeast, tornadoes across the nation, the San Francisco Earthquake of 1989, and the most recent California earthquake, Congress is finally learning that the federal government must come to terms with an overall strategy in how to deal with natural disasters.

"This task force will begin that process in order to provide necessary relief to future victims in an efficient manner, while not jeopardizing or causing a fiscal disaster to the federal budget."

Besides devastation from flooding last year, Emerson noted that his congressional district includes the New Madrid Fault Line, which experts say could experience a devastating earthquake in the next 50 years.

Emerson maintains that this kind of task force has been long needed to provide some organization and coordination to the way the federal government deals with disasters.

"As a member of the House Public Works and Transportation Committee and the House Agriculture Committee, I have been saying for a long time that we need a comprehensive approach to dealing with natural disasters," Emerson explained. "The federal government should not wait for lightning to strike and then scramble to come up with the necessary assistance for those devastated by Mother Nature."

The task force will recommend ways to provide fast and effective disaster relief, improve coordination between all levels of government, and address the budgetary impact of federal disaster relief.

Serving on the panel besides Emerson and Durbin will be members of Congress from areas affected by recent disasters, as well as members of congressional committees involved in authorizing and funding disaster relief.