[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 102 (Wednesday, July 21, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S8560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. NELSON of Florida:
  S. 2711. A bill to establish a National Windstorm Impact Reduction 
Program; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today in support of a 
bill I introduced today to set up a national program to reduce the loss 
of life and property due to windstorms.
  This bill recently passed the House of Representatives and it will be 
addressed and hopefully passed during the Senate Commerce Committee 
markup tomorrow.
  We all know the catastrophic damage that windstorms can cause. In 
fact, the highest level of material damage and loss of life in this 
country has been attributed to hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes 
and thunderstorms.
  My State of Florida, as a coastal State, has been especially 
affected.
  In 1992, Hurricane Andrew caused losses in excess of $26.5 billion.
  And annually the average financial loss due to tornadoes, 
thunderstorms and hurricanes is $6.3 billion. So increasing our 
understanding of windstorms, assessing the performance of our 
buildings, structures and infrastructures during windstorms, reducing 
the impact of wind hazards through retrofitting buildings and changing 
construction practices and transferring this knowledge to the pubic and 
building professionals is desperately needed.
  And this bill accomplishes all of those things.
  It is a coordinated plan to reduce material losses and human 
suffering.
  An interagency working group consisting of representatives of the 
National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be responsible for 
planning and managing this program.
  The program will have three goals: Improved understanding of 
windstorms, windstorm impact assessment, and windstorm impact 
reduction.

  How do we achieve this? Data collection and analysis, outreach, 
technology transfer, and research and development.
  As a result of this program, we will translate existing and future 
information and research findings into cost-effective and affordable 
practices for design and construction professionals, and State and 
local officials.
  And this interagency group will provide biennial updates of their 
progress to Congress so we know what progress has been made and what 
more needs to be done.
  We'll also get a broad cross-section of interests involved through an 
advisory committee--so that real-life issues are addressed and onsite 
expertise is utilized.
  And my hope is that the devastation of Hurricane Andrew will never be 
experienced again in my State of Florda or in any other State.
  This bill and help us achieve that and I urge my collegues' support.
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