working-capital or similar fund) under the control of any executive agency as shall have been determined to be surplus property and as shall have been determined under paragraph (2) or (3) of this subsection to be usable and necessary for any of such purposes."

SEC. 2. (a) The first sentence of section 203 (j) (2) of such Act (40 U. S. C. 484 (j) (2)) is amended to read as follows: "Determination whether such surplus property (except surplus property donated in conformity with paragraph (3) of this subsection) is usable or necessary for educational purposes or public health purposes (including research), or for the purpose of aiding in the protection of life and property by volunteer fire-fighting organizations, shall be made by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, who shall allocate such property on the basis of needs and utilization for transfer by the Administrator (1) to medical institutions, hospitals, clinics, health centers, school systems, schools, colleges, and universities which are tax supported or have been held exempt from taxation under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954; (2) to State departments of education or health for distribution to the institutions and organizations described in clause (1), except that in any State where another agency is designated by State law for such purpose such transfer shall be made to such other agency for such distribution within the State; or (3) to any incorporated or unincorporated volunteer fire department, fire company, or other similar fire-fighting organization."

(b) The second sentence of such section 203 (j) (2) is amended by inserting "or for the purpose of aiding in the protection of life and property by volunteer fire-fighting organizations in the State," after "in the State,".

SEC. 3. Section 203 (m) of such Act (40 U. S. C. 484 (m)) is amended by inserting after "educational purposes and health purposes" a comma and the following: "or for the purpose of aiding in the protection of life and property by volunteer fire-fighting organizations,".

SEC. 4. Section 203 (n) of such Act (40 U. S. C. 484 (n)) is amended by inserting "or volunteer fire-fighting organizations" after "educational or public health institutions".

A BILL To amend the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to permit the donation of surplus property to volunteer fire-fighting organizations

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the first sentence of section 203 (j) (1) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U. S. C. 484 (j) (1)) is amended to read as follows: "Under such regulations as he may prescribe, the Administrator is authorized in his discretion to donate for educational purposes or public health purposes, including research, or for the purpose of aiding in the protection of life and property by volunteer firefighting organizations, in any State without cost (except for costs of care and handling), such equipment, materials, books, or other supplies (whether or not capitalized in a working-capital or similar fund) under the control of any executive agency as shall have been determined to be surplus property and as shall have been determined under paragraph (2) or (3) of this subsection to be usable and necessary for any of such purposes."

SEC. 2. (a) The first sentence of section 203 (j) (2) of such Act (40 U. S. C. 484 (j) (2)) is amended to read as follows: "Determination whether such surplus property (except surplus property donated in conformity with paragraph (3) of this subsection) is usable or necessary for educational purposes or public health purposes (including research), or for the purpose of aiding in the protection of life and property by volunteer fire-fighting organizations, shall be made by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, who shall allocate such property on the basis of needs and utilization for transfer by the Administrator (1) to medical institutions, hospitals, clinics, health centers, school systems, schools, colleges, and universities which are tax supported or have been held exempt from taxation under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954; (2) to State departments of education or health for distribution to the institutions and organizations described in clause (1), except that in any State where another agency is designated by State law for such purpose such transfer shall be made to such other agency for such distribution within the State; or (3) to any incorporated or unincorporated volunteer fire department, fire company, or other similar fire-fighting organization.".

(b) The second sentence of such section 203 (j) (2) is amended by inserting "or for the purpose of aiding in the protection of life and property by volunteer fire-fighting organizations in the State," after "in the State,".

SEC. 3. Section 203 (m) of such Act (40 U. S. C. 484 (m)) is amended by inserting after "educational purposes and health purposes" a comma and the following: "or for the purpose of aiding in the protection of life and property by volunteer fire-fighting organizations,".

SEC. 4. Section 203 (n) of such Act (40 U. S. C. 484 (n)) is amended by inserting "or volunteer fire-fighting organizations" after "educational or public health institutions".

[H. R. 12025, 85th Cong., 2d sess.]

A BILL To amend the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to permit the donation of surplus property to volunteer fire-fighting organizations Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the first sentence of section 203 (j) (1) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U. S. C. 484 (j) (1)) is amended to read as follows: "Under such regulations as he may prescribe, the Administrator is authorized in his discretion to donate for educational purposes or public health purposes, including research, or for the purpose of aiding in the protection of life and property by volunteer firefighting organizations, in any State without cost (except for costs of care and handling), such equipment, materials, books, or other supplies (whether or not capitalized in a working-capital or similar fund) under the control of any executive agency as shall have been determined to be surplus property and as shall have been determined under paragraph (2) or (3) of this subsection to be usable and necessary for any of such purposes."

SEC. 2. (a) The first sentence of section 203 (j) (2) of such Act (40 U. S. C. 484 (j) (2)) is amended to read as follows: "Determination whether such surplus property (except surplus property donated in conformity with paragraph (3) of this subsection ) is usable or necessary for educational purposes or public health purposes (including research), or for the purpose of aiding in the protection of life and property by volunteer fire-fighting organizations, shall be made by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, who shall allocate such property on the basis of needs and utilization for transfer by the Administrator (1) to medical institutions, hospitals, clinics, health centers, school systems, schools, colleges, and universities which are tax supported or have been held exempt from taxation under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954; (2) to State departments of education or health for distribution to the institutions and organizations described in clause (1), except that in any State where another agency is designated by State law for such purpose such transfer shall be made to such other agency for such distribution within the State; or (3) to any incorporated or unnincorporated volunteer fire department, fire company, or other similar fire-fighting organization."

(b) The second sentence of such section 203 (j) (2) is amended by inserting "or for the purpose of aiding in the protection of life and property by volunteer fire-fighting organizations in the State," after "in the State,”.

SEC. 3. Section 203 (m) of such Act (40 U. S. C. 484 (m)) is amended by inserting after "educational purposes and health purposes" a comma and the following: "or for the purpose of aiding in the protection of life and property by volunteer fire-fighting organizations,".

SEC. 4. Section 203 (n) of such Act (40 U. S. C. 484 (n)) is amended by inserting "or volunteer fire-fighting organizations" after "educational or public health institutions".

[H. R. 12959, 85th Cong., 2d sess.]

A BILL To amend the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to permit the donation of surplus property to volunteer fire-fighting organizations Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the first sentence of section 203 (j) (1) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U. S. C. 484 (j) (1)) is amended to read as follows: "Under such regulations as he may prescribe, the Administrator is authorized in his discretion to donate for educational purposes or public health purposes, including research, or for

the purpose of aiding in the protection of life and property by volunteer firefighting organizations, in any State without cost (except for costs of care and handling), such equipment, materials, books, or other supplies (whether or not capitalized in a working-capital or similar fund) under the control of any executive agency as shall have been determined to be surplus property and as shall have been determined under pragraph (2) or (3) of this subsection to be usable and necessary for any such purposes."

SEC. 2. (a) The first sentence of section 208 (j) (2) of such Act (40 U. S. C. 484 (j) (2) is amended to read as follows: "Determination whether such surplus property (except surplus property donated in conformity with paragraph (3) of this subsection) is usable or necessary for educational purposes or public health purposes (including research), or for the purpose of aiding in the protection of life and property by volunteer fire-fighting organizations, shall be made by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, who shall allocate such property on the basis of needs and utilization for transfer by the Administrator (1) to medical institutions, hospitals, clinics, health centers, school systems, schools, colleges, and universities which are tax supported or have been held exempt from taxation under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954; (2) to State departments of education or health for distribution to the institutions and organizations described in clause (1), except that in any State where another agency is designated by State law for such purpose such transfer shall be made to such other agency for such distribution within the State; or (3) to any incorporated, or unincorporated volunteer fire deparment, fire company, or other similar fire-fighting organization."

(b) The second sentence of such section 203 (j) (2) is amended by inserting "or for the purpose of aiding in the protection of life and property by volunteer fire-fighting organizations in the State," after "in the State,".

SEC. 3. Section 203 (m) of such Act (40 U. S. C. 484 (m)) is amended by inserting after “educational purposes and health purposes" a comma and the following: "or for the purpose of aiding in the protection of life and property by volunteer fire-fighting organizations,".

SEC. 4. Section 203 (n) of such Act (40 U. S. C. 484 (n)) is amended by inserting "or volunteer fire-fighting organizations" after "educational or public health institutions".

Mr. MAY. Mr. Chairman, I think this is an important bill and as I look around I see several others who have introduced similar bills and I would be happy in view of their attendance here to allow them to say a few words if they would like on behalf of this bill first. I see Mr. Nimtz from Indiana.

Mr. McCORMACK. Mr. Fogarty is also here.

John, will you come forward?

Mr. FOGARTY. Is it all right from here?

Mr. McCORMACK. This is Hon. John E. Fogarty, a Representative from the State of Rhode Island.

(H. R. 7929 introduced by Mr. Fogarty appears on p. 5.)

STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN E. FOGARTY, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Mr. FOGARTY. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I am happy to have the privilege of appearing before your committee this morning in behalf of this bill that so many of us have introduced.

It is to amend the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to permit the donation of surplus property to volunteer fire-fighting organizations.

I introduced this bill in June 1957, and since that time have been doing my best with the Health, Education, and Welfare people to get a favorable report. But up to this time it has been impossible to get the Bureau of the Budget or the General Services Administration or

the Health, Education, and Welfare Department to give us a favorable report on it.

However, I want to place myself in the position of disagreeing with them because if there is a group of men who are giving more of their time and making more sacrifices in this country to save life and property for no pay, it is this army of volunteer firemen all over the country.

It has been my privilege to have been a member of a volunteer fire department for the past 30 years, and I think I know something about the problem and what they go through.

I am not going to take the time of the committee. I have a statement that I have prepared which I would like to have included in the minutes of the meeting at this time, and just close by saying regardless of the stand taken by the present administration, I think this is a good bill, that the Congress should act on it, and if we do, we will be doing a service to all of the people of our country, because these men are on call at all times.

When that fire siren blows, it does not make any difference to them whether they have their best suit of clothes on and only suit of clothes on, or whether they lose a day's work or not, they go and answer the call, whether it be to save a life or to save that particular piece of property that may be on fire.

So, with that opening statement and thanking you for the privilege of appearing before your committee, and for the interest that you have shown in all these bills, I am going to present this statement for the record.

Mr. McCORMACK. Thank you very much, Congressman Fogarty. (Statement in full of Congressman Fogarty follows:)

STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN E. FOGARTY, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I am pleased to have this opportunity to appear before you in support of the bill which I introduced in the House of Representatives in June of 1957. This bill, H. R. 7929, proposes to amend the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to permit the donation of surplus property to volunteer fire-fighting organizations. To me its purpose, and the purpose of the other similar bills now before you, is of the greatest importance. I would like to commend each of you on this committee for having recognized this importance by scheduling the present hearing.

Volunteer fire companies have a long and proud history in this country of ours. Due to its widespread rural population, the vastness of the land, and the very great number of small towns and villages, America has actually became a nation of volunteer fire departments. These organizations, manned by civicminded, dedicated persons, have contributed perhaps more than any other group to the well-being and the safety of the smaller communities. Most of the communities served by these volunteer fire departments are small and cannot afford a paid fire department. Even if they could afford a paid department, it would not be economical for them to do so.

In these communities many public buildings, such as schools and hospitals, require fire protection not only to avoid the loss or damage to these buildings due to fire or other disaster but at the same time to provide trained fire-fighting personnel so as to reduce the chances of injuries and loss of lives as a result of such disasters. Fire-insurance rates for all property holders in a community are greatly reduced when some form of an organized fire department is available. Fires each year destroy property valued at hundreds of millions of dollars and these losses not only reduce the wealth of the Nation but also cause insurance rates to increase even for those individuals served by paid fire departments. 30975-58-2

I have personal knowledge of the contributions of these volunteer firemen, Mr. Chairman, for I have been a member of such an organization for close to 30 years. My activity with the Harmony fire district in my own hometown and the Woonasquatucket Valley Firemen's League, which I had the privilege of serving as president, has given me close insight into the devoted service in the protection of life and property which such organizations perform. Through this association I have become aware of the continuing problem they face in trying to secure adequate equipment to carry on their excellent fire-fighting work. Over the years there has always been the ever-present struggle to raise funds for badly needed equipment. Funds are often meager and the available equipment, too often, insufficient.

It would be difficult for me to think of more deserving recipients of Federal surplus than the volunteer fire departments of the Nation who would put this equipment to the direct use of saving lives and property. At present, such equipment can be donated free of charge to educational and public health institutions which are required to pay only the costs of care and handling. I would like to see the same opportunity offered volunteer fire departments.

The bill which I have sponsored would authorize the Administrator of the Federal Properties and Administrative Services Act to donate surplus equipment and materials to volunteer fire-fighting organizations throughout the country. It would put these organizations in a position to be able to improve their services by permitting them to secure equipment and materials which are now denied them through lack of financial ability to buy.

It seems to me, Mr. Chairman, that no better use could be made of supplies and equipment which have been declared surplus to the needs of the executive agencies than to donate them to those protectors of life and property-our volunteer fire-fighting organizations.

I urge you and the members of this committee to favorably report my bill, or one which has the same objectives, in order that action can be taken by the House and Senate before adjournment of this session of Congress. I am confident that should such a bill be presented with committee approval it would quickly be enacted into law. By so doing, we in the Congress will be indicating our appreciation to the members of these volunteer companies for their great contributions in the past. At the same time we will be providing them with the tools by which they will be able to do an even better job in the future in providing fire-fighting services to the rural and suburban communities of this country.

Mr. McCORMACK. I might say for those who are not Members of the Congress that this is a select committee consisting of three members. We have two-thirds, so we have a pretty good quorum here.

I make that reference so you will know it is not a committee of 5, 7, or 9 and that only 2 of us are here.

I notice our friend, Congressman Nimtz, of Indiana, who has also introduced a bill.

We are very glad to hear from you, Congressman.

(H. R. 3406 introduced by Mr. Nimtz appears on p. 5.)

STATEMENT OF HON. F. JAY NIMTZ, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF INDIANA

Mr. NIMTZ. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I too, like our colleague, Mr. Fogarty, shall be brief and I shall file a statement that I have prepared.

Mr. McCORMACK. Without objection, the statement will be made a part of the record.

Mr. NIмTZ. Mr. Chairman, I cannot say that I have been a volunteer fireman for 30 years like our colleague, Mr. Fogarty, but I can say I have been a volunteer fireman since 1947.

When I returned home from war service, the volunteer fire department idea was beginning to gain great interest in Indiana and many new departments were beginning operation and I helped the Clay