Bob Filner: “I rise today to remind this House of the continuing threat to our Nation's sacred houses of worship. Reverend J. Linzie…”

“I rise today to remind this House of the continuing threat to our Nation's sacred houses of worship. Reverend J. Linzie Whitmill recently contacted me to say that his insurance company is threatening to cancel his church's fire protection policy. Mr. Speaker, Reverend Whitmill and his congregation have not been negligent in minimizing the risk of fire, nor have they been negligent in paying their insurance premiums. How then is it that this model insurance client is facing cancellation of the insurance that provides his congregation financial and emotional security and peace of mind? Apparently, the insurance company feels threatened by the recent plague of church arson. This injustice must be stopped. Before we adjourn, I urge this Congress to approve H.R. 3830, the Church Insurance Protection Act [CIPA] to guarantee insurance protection for our churches. America's churches cannot wait until next year for passage of this bill.”