Political Quotes

“I rise in support of the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007. After Hurricane Katrina, I had a chance to meet some of the survivors who were displaced by the storm and ended up in Illinois. Many had lost their homes, their jobs, their communities, everything. Nearly 3 years later, some are still picking up the pieces of a former life. We can't stop every disaster from happening. But we can be prepared, so what happened after Katrina never happens again. Katrina taught us the importance of being prepared. We need to understand the risks of disaster, prepare homes and communities to withstand disaster, and make sure that once disaster strikes, communities can get back on their feet as quickly as possible. The national flood insurance program is one of the best ways we do this. It allows people who live near rivers or other flood-prone areas to insure themselves at an affordable rate against the risk of a flood. If the worst happens, it covers some of the costs of recovery. This program is critically important to Illinois. Illinois has the largest inland system of rivers, lakes, and streams in the Nation. Floods are 98 percent of Illinois' declared disasters. That is why only three other States have more communities participating in the flood insurance program than Illinois. The bill before us today renews the flood insurance program, which expires this September, and strengthens the program in several important ways.”