Sanford Bishop: “the Flood Prevention and Family Protection Act before us today provides an opportunity to restore a small amount of…”

“the Flood Prevention and Family Protection Act before us today provides an opportunity to restore a small amount of critically needed balance to the Endangered Species Act. The Psalmist raises the question: What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? . . . For Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under this feet. All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. . . . This bill gives this body an opportunity to clearly state what a majority of my constituents believe: the preservation of human life should take priority over the preservation of endangered species. In July 1994, the Flint River in my State of Georgia flooded. Several lives and substantial property, including cropland, were lost in that flood. If a local flood control official in Georgia needs the flexibility to prepare for a future flood on the Flint River, I want that official to have the flexibility needed to do what it takes. I do not want the Endangered Species Act to stand in the way of protecting the lives and property of the people I represent. It is only common sense that any major flood is devastating to every plant and animal in its path.…”