[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 62 (Monday, May 6, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  COMMEMORATING BUILDING SAFETY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER P. GIBSON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 6, 2013

  Mr. GIBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the start of 
Building Safety Month, specifically in recognition of the expertise, 
leadership, and influence of the International Code Council (ICC). The 
ICC develops and publishes the building safety, energy efficiency, and 
fire safety model codes used throughout the United States, as well as 
in many other nations.
  Over the past year, we have had several sobering reminders about the 
effects of properly-enforced building codes. When Hurricane Sandy 
devastated New York, New Jersey, and several other states, we were 
reminded of how much we rely on these vital safety standards in 
mitigating damage and loss of life. Reports after Sandy and other 
natural disasters show that the loss of life and property damage would 
have been considerably worse had modern building codes not been in 
place and enforced.
  For these reasons, I want to congratulate the leaders of the ICC who 
sponsor Building Safety Month. These leaders include Ronald Piester, 
the Director of New York State Division of Code Enforcement and 
Administration, Stephen D. Jones, Construction Official for Millburn 
Township, New Jersey, and Guy Tomberlin, Code Specialist for Fairfax 
County, Virginia. These professionals also act as the President, Vice 
President, and Secretary-Treasurer of the ICC's Board of Directors. 
ICC's Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims will join them in 
Washington, DC this week to discuss the critical need for the adoption 
and enforcement of current building codes in order to maximize our 
safety.
  I would also like to thank the thousands of men and women who work 
every day to make sure our buildings comply with building and fire 
codes. Their work, largely unseen and often unnoticed, is critical to 
keeping Americans safe. The model building codes, produced by ICC, 
allow every community in the United States to share the advantage of 
building codes that are adaptable to local conditions, but at the same 
time incorporate the very latest research, materials, and building 
practices. This is achieved in a private-public partnership, saving 
local jurisdictions from bearing the significant cost of code revision, 
updating and coordination. These model codes are produced with the 
input of thousands of local officials as well as the building industry 
and represent a consensus on what the minimum safety requirements are 
for various building types, all developed without using federal 
taxpayer funds. In fact, the Architect of the Capitol maintains the 
safety of this building, and all congressional office buildings, 
following the requirements in the current International Building Code.
  During May's Building Safety Month, I recommend that all of my 
colleagues aim to reach out to building code and fire officials from 
their districts to learn more about the great work they do in ensuring 
the safety of the American people and infrastructure through building 
code compliance and enforcement.
  Thank you again to the hard working members and leadership of the 
International Code Council.

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