[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 107 (Thursday, June 26, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF THE PROPERTY MITIGATION ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2008

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                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2008

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I would like to introduce 
legislation to help minimize the hardship of home and business owners 
who are most at-risk prepare for the next, inevitable natural disaster. 
As people from the gulf coast and those States bordering the Atlantic 
Ocean are only too well aware, this year's hurricane season officially 
began in recent days. Once again this year, weather experts are 
predicting several severe storms. While the reasons for the increased 
number of storms remains a subject of much argument and debate, their 
disastrous results lie beyond dispute.
  A better way exists, however, and that way is prevention. 
``Prevention,'' when it comes to storm damage, takes many forms. At-
risk home and business owners can take preventive measures by 
``hardening'' their homes and other structures against preventable 
storm damage. They can strengthen their roofs, install storm shutters, 
elevate their electrical systems and even construct ``safe rooms'' 
within their homes.
  The ``Property Mitigation Assistance Act of 2008,'' would establish a 
homeowner mitigation loan program within the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency to promote pre-disaster property mitigation measures. 
The bill would provide for grants of at least $500,000 to States based 
on the State's risk of natural disaster, and would authorize $200 
million for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2014 for the homeowner 
mitigation loan program.
  Although, the challenge to rebuild in the aftermath of a natural 
disaster remains, there must be legislation in place to assist 
homeowners and businesses that are located in areas that are at risk 
and subject to repeated hazards or natural disasters. I urge my 
colleagues to carefully consider The Property Mitigation Assistance Act 
of 2008 and enact this legislation into law.

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