[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 116 (Tuesday, September 26, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1591-E1592]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING SAN LEANDRO FOR BEING CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE IN FEMA'S 
                             PROJECT IMPACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 26, 2000

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate San Leandro, 
California for being chosen as a participant in FEMA's Project Impact. 
San Leandro's hard work and dedication

[[Page E1592]]

to preventing natural disasters has given this city the opportunity to 
participate in this important program that provides increased federal 
resources for further disaster mitigation projects. I would like to 
recognize the hard work on the part of the city of San Leandro to make 
their community safer in the event of a natural disaster.
  Located at the apex of the two segments of the Hayward Fault, San 
Leandro is at risk primarily from earthquakes, although the risk of 
flood and other natural disasters is very real. Alameda County, in 
which San Leandro is located, has been declared a federal disaster area 
several times since 1950. This has included the Loma Prieta earthquake, 
two fires, one freeze, and eleven floods.
  Following the Loma Prieta earthquake, San Leandro realized it needed 
to make a commitment to disaster prevention. The San Leandro City 
Council established a plan called the Partnership for Preparedness 
Program that, along with other actions San Leandro has taken, helped 
lead to its designation as a Project Impact community. The hard work of 
the local officials will provide San Leandro increased federal 
resources to further protect the city from natural disasters.
  Local officials have also established a disaster council, a formal 
city council committee chaired by Mayor Sheila Young. This committee 
meets quarterly to discuss mitigation and preparedness issues. In 
addition, San Leandro has published a Hazard Mitigation Master Plan, 
which has resulted in plans to retrofit buildings to prevent damage in 
the event of an earthquake.
  Project Impact operates on a common-sense damage-reduction approach. 
Project Impact encourages communities to develop disaster prevention 
programs by working with citizens and the private sector. Success 
depends on long-term efforts and investments in preventive measures. 
Communities benefit from their participation in the program from FEMA's 
expertise and technical assistance at the national and regional level. 
FEMA works with community officials to incorporate the latest 
technology and mitigation practices.
  I am very proud that San Leandro has been able to build the public-
private partnerships necessary to be chosen a participant in Project 
Impact. The hard work of the local officials will prevent the future 
loss of life and property. I congratulate San Leandro for working with 
the business community and citizens to maximize all available resources 
to make the community safer.

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