Bill Nelson: “I commend Senators Shelby, Sarbanes, and Bunning for their efforts in drafting the S. 2238, the…”

“I commend Senators Shelby, Sarbanes, and Bunning for their efforts in drafting the S. 2238, the Bunning/Bereuter/Blumenauer Flood Insurance Reform Act. They have worked with Senator Graham and me to make some important changes that will greatly benefit Federal flood insurance policy holders. Since 1968, the National Flood Insurance Program has provided reasonably priced insurance to Americans across the country. In Florida alone, there are approximately 2 million flood insurance policies. I support this legislation and, as the former elected insurance commissioner of the State of Florida, appreciate its goals and purpose. However, I have a unique situation in Florida dealing with flood insurance and would like to take a few minutes to bring it to my colleagues' attention. There is a community in Gulf Country in North Florida known as Cape San Blas. The area has some of the most impressive, pristine beaches in the State. You can see the unique physical characteristics of the Cape quite clearly from space--it is a swath of land that juts out into the Gulf of Mexico. Most of the residents of Cape San Blas have lived there for some time and have seen first hand the incredible damage and awesome forces of nature brought to bear by hurricanes. And ere we are today, 2 weeks into hurricane season and a good number of the residents of the Cape either do not have flood insurance or have to purchase it at a very high price.”