[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 39 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 39


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                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 15, 1995

     Received and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs

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                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding Federal disaster relief.

Whereas catastrophic natural disasters are occurring with greater frequency, a 
        trend that is likely to continue for several decades according to 
        prominent scientists;
Whereas the Federal Government has responded to disasters by appropriating 
        relief funds, which provide only short-term assistance to victims but 
        long-term burdens to taxpayers; and
Whereas the increasing reliance on Federal disaster relief has overshadowed the 
        need to perform more comprehensive disaster planning and rely on private 
        insurance for protection against disaster risks: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) persons who live in areas at high risk to natural 
        disasters should assume more responsibility for their actions 
        by insuring against such risks in order to minimize the rising 
        cost of Federal disaster relief;
            (2) sensible, cost-effective disaster mitigation programs 
        should be encouraged and enhanced at the State and local level;
            (3) insurers should create a privately funded pooling 
        mechanism for the spreading of disaster risk in order to 
        encourage the continued availability and affordability of 
        private insurance in all parts of the Nation; and
            (4) a fundamental overhaul of Federal disaster policies 
        should be undertaken to reduce costs to taxpayers and encourage 
        more effective partnerships between the private sector and 
        government at all levels in anticipation of future 
        catastrophes.

            Passed the House of Representatives March 14, 1995.

            Attest:

                                                ROBIN H. CARLE,

                                                                 Clerk.