House Proceeding 05-07-09 on May 7th, 2009 :: 2:09:15 to 2:12:30
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2:09:12 to 2:09:32( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Wexler: my colleagues on this important issue and helping our constituents resolve this problem. i yield back. the chair: for what purpose does the gentleman from massachusetts rise? mr. frank: i ask unanimous consent to reconsider my hasty action and take back my time. the chair: without objection. mr. frank: i yield two minutes

2:09:15 to 2:12:30( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Robert Wexler

2:09:33 to 2:09:54( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Wexler: to the the gentleman from florida, mr. wexler. the chair: the gentleman from florida is recognized for two minutes. -- three minutes. mr. wexler: he i especially thank the chairman and i want to point out the extraordinary effort that congressman diaz-balart has made to push this issue forward.

2:09:55 to 2:10:15( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Wexler: i rise in strong support of this amendment, because my constituents in florida and citizens throughout our nation are facing a real and a growing emergency from dangerous and harmful dry wall imported from china. the level of threats to the health and homes of our citizens is akin to a natural disaster.

2:10:16 to 2:10:37( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Wexler: this danger is much more like a silent hurricane and it is touching down not just in florida, but in louisiana, mississippi, texas, virginia and a growing list of other states. the federal government must take immediate steps to protect americans whose homes are afflicted with detect -- defecttive dry wall.

2:10:38 to 2:11:00( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Wexler: i thank mr. diaz-balart for his leadership on this crucial issue. the effected dry wall produces gases that could road copper and electrical wiring and are likely to be responsible for chronic health problems for the occupants of the homes. this is an acute and growing cris, with an estimated 35,000

2:11:01 to 2:11:21( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Wexler: homes in florida affected and tens of thousands more across the country. over the past few weeks, i have had the opportunity to meet parents and visit with them in their homes, where young children have developed bronchitis, pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses. pregnant women in my district have been advised by their

2:11:22 to 2:11:42( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Wexler: physicians to move out of their homes. and children have been waking up regularly to bloody noses and sign us infections. it is in this vein that i along with mr. diabalart under his leadership have introduced h.r. 1977, the dry wall safety act of 2009, which would require the consumer products safety

2:11:43 to 2:12:03( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Wexler: commission ban dangerous dry wall, study dry wall imported from china and make recommendations on new safety standards. currently, the consumer products safety commiion, the centers for disease control and prevention and e.p.a. are conducting tests. while these tests are essential, the current time frame for completion is unacceptable and

2:12:04 to 2:12:25( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Wexler: results may not be known for months, especially considering the problem is expected to grow during the hot and humid summer months. we are therefore urging the e.p.a. and c.d.c. to exhaust all possible resources to expedite dry wall testing. we have requested critical emergency funding that would allow relevant agencies to

2:12:26 to 2:12:31( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Wexler: conduct the necessary investigation into the health and safety impacts of thi