[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 102 (Thursday, July 11, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H7267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THE NATURAL DISASTER PROTECTION PARTNERSHIP ACT

  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, the East Coast is currently being battered 
by Hurricane Bertha. As we all know, such disasters can occur at any 
time. The Midwest has been hit by floods in the past. The West Coast 
has been hit by natural disasters. Since Hurricane Hugo in 1989, the 
Federal Government has paid out over $67 billion on disaster relief. 
Insurance companies have also paid out over $33 billion since 1989.
  But now, Mr. Speaker, we have a bill that will help out. It is called 
the Natural Disaster Protection Partnership Act. It forges together 
Government and private entities to provide geographic areas insurance 
protection.
  This legislation will reduce cost and physical damage from natural 
disasters by requiring States to adopt improved enforcement of model 
building codes, and would also provide a grant program, financed by the 
private sector, to provide badly needed resources to implement 
preparation and loss reduction strategies.
  Mr. Speaker, my colleagues, we should all support this initiative.

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