Washington, DC – Rep. William Jefferson voted for the Kids in Disasters Well-being, Safety and Health Act of 2007 (KIDS WiSH Act). He is a co-sponsor of the bill. The bill is modeled after the 9/11 Commission bill that establishes a National Commission on Children and Disasters. The commission will consist of 10 Members of Congress and will be charged with examining, assessing, and reporting the needs of children following disasters and emergencies. The Commission will report its findings to the President and to Congress.

Additionally the act authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a National Resource Center on Children and Disasters that will be a depository of information for local, state and federal governments and nongovernmental groups and organizations.

“Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath has been more than structural and physical, it has left a mental impact on all,” Jefferson said. “This bill creates the instruments needed to assess the entire impact a disaster or emergency can have on the children of our nation and is a step in the right direction to bring about healing.”