Political Quotes

“I rise today to offer the 1998-99 Reauthorization of the Earthquake Hazard Reduction Act of 1977. This piece of legislation reauthorizes the agencies that are working to reduce earthquake hazards throughout the Nation. These four agencies: The Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA], which serves as the lead agency, the U.S. Geological Survey [USGS], National Science Foundation [NSF], and National Institute of Standards and Technology [NIST], each play a critical role in this important mission. This bill continues the funding for agency activities including research, hazard assessment, and public education, and moves these activities forward. It also builds upon the national seismic network, improving its capability, and forming the basis for a real-time seismic hazard warning system. A real-time warning system has the potential for saving lives by alerting people outside the immediate area of an impending seismic shock. Advance warning can be critical in preventing injury in many sectors of modern life, such as high-speed trail transportation. This reauthorization has an important provision which underscores our commitment to education. This bill would let NSF create and disseminate Earth science educational materials in a way that permits easy access by educators and the general public.”