[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 103 (Friday, July 12, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1281]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       SUPPORTING THE NATURAL DISASTER PROTECTION PARTNERSHIP ACT

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                        HON. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 12, 1996

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my Florida 
colleagues in supporting H.R. 1856, the Natural Disaster Protection 
Partnership Act. As the east coast battens down the hatches to brace 
for Hurricane Bertha, the time is ripe for passing legislation designed 
to promote a responsible Federal disaster policy.
  Last Congress, in the aftermath of the Northridge, CA, earthquake, 
the bipartisan House leadership appointed a task force on disasters on 
which I was proud to serve. As part of this task force, we met with 
various experts on disaster management policy, and through the 
leadership of Bill Emerson, we were able to turn many of this task 
force's recommendations into legislative language in the form of H.R. 
1856, the Natural Disaster Protection Partnership Act.
  I believe all of us here today recognize the need for an efficient, 
effective Federal disaster policy. There is no doubt that we must 
assist victims when a disaster strikes, but business as usual just 
isn't acceptable now as our enormous Federal deficit continues to grow. 
Those of us in Florida who survived Hurricane Andrew know firsthand how 
destructive the forces of nature can be, and how costly. Hurricane 
Andrew, at the time the task force was formed, had the illustrious 
honor at roughly $20 billion of being the costliest federally declared 
natural disaster of all time in the United States.
  By emphasizing personal responsibility through private insurance, 
promoting sensible, cost-effective disaster loss mitigation programs 
and encouraging the creation of a privately-funded pooling mechanism 
that allows for the spreading of disaster risk and minimizes the 
liability of the Federal Government, we can lessen the costs incurred 
by the Federal Government and in turn the individual taxpayer.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Natural disaster 
Protection Act and helping the Federal Government achieve a sound 
national disaster policy that can help prevent loss of life and 
personal injury as well as reduce costs.

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