Article clipped from The Charleston Daily Mail

Relief Bill Refined By DANIEL F. WEST For The Daily Mail WASHINGTON- In what was brief respote from the spirited and lengthy debate surrounding campaign reform, the Senate this overwhelrningly endorsed: a bill designed to overhaul response to disaster relief. Offered at al time when dongressional disaster conscientousness was at a peak. the measure passed by the lopsided margin of 91-0. It is characterized as a refinement of the Disaster Relief Act of 1970.: a law lacking provision for a permanent coordinating disaster agency. Speaking in behalf of the bill on the floor. Sen. Jennings Randolph. D-W. Va.. said. "•The need for a coordinated approach to recovery has been obvious in the two years since the Buffalo Creek flood in West Virginia. "Rebuilding the Buffalo Creek Valley has not been carried out : as smoothly as it should have been for the benefit of the people living there. This is not the fault of any individual or group. but results from the absence of a unified approach." he said. One of the shortcomings of Buffalo Creek redevelopment -a continuing federal presenceis required in the new measure although major emphasis still is placed on decision-making at The local level. A revolving fund of $200 million in grants and loans is made available to disaster stricken areas under provisions of the bill. The revolving fund concept will be aimed at long-termn recovery, said Randolph. Another section of the bill insures 100 per cent federal grants for rebuilding of such public facilities as schools and non-profit medical plants. State and local governments are, in addition, given greater discretion in how they choose to apply the grant money. Turning again to Buffalo Creek, Randolph underlined the often tragic and lingering psychological scars born of natural disasters. The bill. he said. provided for a professional cirsis counseling service. Allhough the legislation has been in preparation for nearly a year in Randolph's Senate Public Works Committee, the recent spate of killer tornadoes in the Midwest prompted quick action. according to a committee staffer. An attempt is presently under way to rush the measure untouched through the House so that immediate use of the expanded coverage may be applied to the tornado-ravaged areas. A popular section of the legislation authorizes "extraordinary disaster expense grants" diroctly to individuals and families wholly -out by floods, fires, earthquakes and tornadoes. This program would be administered a the state level. The sad lesson of Buffalo Creek is written all over the measure, according to one committee staffer. If passed. he feels, quick and more importanly. continuing federal response would be upgraded.

Article from 13 Apr 1974The Charleston Daily Mail(Charleston, WV)

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