On the recordMarch 2, 2010
Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3820, the Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2010. This bipartisan bill addresses a crucial need--securing our communities against earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural phenomena. As we saw last month in Haiti and just this past weekend in Chile, earthquakes can strike without warning, can cause massive damage and many, many casualties. Mitigation efforts, like advanced building codes, are crucial to preventing loss and injury. Preparation saves lives. The Chilean experience demonstrates the importance of preparation, of building codes, and of education. H.R. 3820 reauthorizes two very important natural hazard mitigation programs--the Natural Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program and the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program. Since Congress created the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, or NEHRP, in 1977, it has been used to study earthquake phenomena, to identify seismic hazards, and to develop building codes and practices to withstand earthquakes.
