[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 66 (Thursday, April 28, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H2070]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          FLOOD INSURANCE MARKET PARITY AND MODERNIZATION ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Rothfus) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ROTHFUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2901, the 
Flood Insurance Market Parity and Modernization Act. I am a proud 
cosponsor of this bipartisan bill, which represents a positive step 
towards much-needed flood insurance reform.
  This legislation provides clarity to States and private insurers and, 
in doing so, clears the way for competitive firms to play a much 
greater role in the flood insurance market.
  For my constituents back home, the 705,000 western Pennsylvanians who 
sent me to Washington to look out for their interests, this means more 
choices, more competitive rates, and more innovation. Passing this 
legislation would be a win for western Pennsylvanians eager for change.
  Although some tend to think of flood insurance as a concern for 
coastal States like Florida, Louisiana, and Texas, many Pennsylvanians 
are closely monitoring the ongoing debate about the future of flood 
insurance.
  Many of my constituents live alongside rivers and streams and in 
valleys with a history of flooding. My district is also home to many 
older cities and towns like Johnstown that are filled with properties 
that predate the National Flood Insurance Program. People have lived in 
these places for generations and have a deep sense of community.
  Rightly, my constituents who live in these flood-prone areas worry 
about the future availability of affordable flood insurance options in 
the marketplace. They want to remain in their homes, in the places 
where multiple generations of their families have lived and worked and 
built lasting connections with their neighbors.
  My constituents need access to affordable flood insurance. As this 
debate continues over the next year, I will make sure that their 
concerns are addressed.
  H.R. 2901 is a strong step in the right direction as we seek to 
reform Federal flood insurance policy.
  I hope that H.R. 2901 will receive the same broad, bipartisan support 
it received in the Financial Services Committee when it comes up for a 
vote later today.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues at the committee and on 
both sides of the aisle as work continues on flood insurance reform.


                  Honoring the Life of Norman F. Kyle

  Mr. ROTHFUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and thank Norman 
Kyle, an Aliquippa native who passed away at the age of 95 this past 
Sunday, for his brave service to our Nation.
  Norman served as a U.S. Army infantryman during World War II and, 
after being captured by the Nazis, was a POW for over 700 days.
  He was born on August 24, 1920, in Aliquippa and was retired from J&L 
Steel Corp., where he worked for more than 40 years. Norman was a John 
Wayne fan, and he collected more than 100 trains.
  In addition to his parents, Norman and Sadie Kyle, he was preceded in 
death by his wife, Ruth Kyle, two sons, Robert and Kenneth Kyle, and a 
grandson, John Scheeler, Jr.
  Norman is survived by his 3 daughters, 9 grandchildren, 16 great-
grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.
  It was men like Norman Kyle who made their generation great and who 
were a big part of making this country the leader of the world. His 
life, legacy, and service will not be forgotten.

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