Lamar Smith: “First of all, I want to thank the gentleman from California, my friend and colleague, for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker…”

“First of all, I want to thank the gentleman from California, my friend and colleague, for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I support S. 1768, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2018. The final text of the legislation we are considering today was first introduced by Representative Dana Rohrabacher as H.R. 6650 in August. Representative Rohrabacher, an active and valued senior member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, led efforts to improve the original Senate bill and authorize some additional funding to advance earthquake monitoring and early-warning systems that are critical to his home State of California. It has been 15 years since the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program was last reauthorized. This legislation modernizes earthquake safety programs that help States prepare for and respond to earthquakes. The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act is a result of bipartisan collaboration and work with the relevant agencies, congressional committees, private sector and State agency stakeholders. I want to thank Representative Rohrabacher for his initiative on moving the bill forward and working across the aisle and across the Capitol with Senator Dianne Feinstein to get it across the finish line. {time} 1630 I also want to congratulate him for his 30 years of service to the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee; the Congress; and his constituents.…”