[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 80 (Monday, May 15, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S6698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         TRIBUTE TO DON COLLINS

 Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, it is with great sadness that I note 
the death of Donald L. Collins after a brief but fierce battle with 
cancer. At the time of his death last February, Mr. Collins was Deputy 
Federal Insurance Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency [FEMA] in Washington, DC. That position of leadership capped a 
remarkable career in Federal service of more than 20 years. It is a 
genuine honor to commend to my colleagues in the Senate the life and 
service of Don Collins.
  Don had many remarkable achievements in his Federal career that I 
would like to touch on briefly. But perhaps, for anyone who ever met 
him, Don Collins' most memorable qualities were his deep, unabashed 
love for his Catholic faith, his genuine compassion for others, and his 
quick sense of humor that could disarm and charm any opponent. For Don, 
there were never any strangers, never any enemies--even after the most 
heated debate. He was available to everyone, at any time. While Don 
always assumed the lion's share of the work for every project, he still 
always had time for everyone on his staff. There was never a closed 
door to his employees at the Federal Insurance Administration [FIA] or 
to the public he served. His love and caring were contagious. Don had, 
in the words of his brother, long arms--always ready to draw people to 
himself, no matter how different their point of view.
  Don loved and respected the law as well--which he demonstrated by 
always molding policy interpretations for the National Flood Insurance 
Program [NFIP] to comply with the intentions of Congress for that 
program. His regard and respect for law were developed early as he 
worked his way through undergraduate school at Fordham University in 
New York City and law school at night. He completed his juris doctor at 
Saint John's University, also in New York. He was admitted to practice 
in the following courts: the courts of the State of New York, District 
of Columbia Court of Appeals; U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Second 
Circuit; U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of New York; U.S. 
District Court for the Southern District of New York; and U.S. Court of 
Military Appeals (DC).
  Marking another dimension of this charming, approachable, funny man 
were the awards he received to commemorate a textbook Federal career. 
In 1991, Don Collins received the Presidential Rank Award-Meritorious 
Executive, Senior Executive Service. That award recognized in part his 
lasting contributions and service to the Federal Insurance 
Administration, especially for his efforts to shape and implement the 
NFIP program. In that connection, Mr. Collins played a major role in 
framing the public policy debate about how to reduce the public's 
losses from floods, which resulted in the enactment of the Flood 
Disaster Protection Act of 1973. That legislation redirected the Nation 
toward a more prudent course in flood loss reduction. From 1990 to 
1994, he worked closely with the White House and congressional leaders 
to shape the NFIP Reform Act of 1994 which strengthens the NFIP and 
provides lenders with the tools needed to comply with legal 
requirements for flood insurance.
  Over the years, Don Collins also helped foster a close working 
relationship with the insurance industry. His integrity and disarming 
personality were largely responsible for the good will enjoyed by the 
program with its industry partners. He developed and administered the 
entire claims and underwriting systems in support of the NFIP and 
developed all NFIP policy forms and the agents' manuals. Similarly, he 
developed all flood insurance regulations and was central to the 
development of all significant policies governing the NFIP.
  In sum, Don Collins was a model Federal executive. More than that, 
Don Collins was an exemplary person. He was a man of deep faith, a 
loving husband and father, a person dedicated to his community, and a 
manager who set the standard for excellence at the Federal Insurance 
Administration and the National Flood Insurance Program. When my staff 
and I worked with Don on NFIP legislation over the course of 2 years, 
his knowledge, diligence, good humor, grace, and personal warmth were 
always present, and prevented a series of difficult negotiations from 
becoming unpleasant and onerous. None who worked with him will forget 
him. Indeed, he will be appreciated and fondly remembered by 
all.


                          ____________________