[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 73 (Monday, May 7, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CELEBRATING BUILDING SAFETY MONTH

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                            HON. PETER WELCH

                               of vermont

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 7, 2018

  Mr. WELCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the beginning of 
Building Safety Month and to recognize the men and women of the 
International Code Council (ICC) who have dedicated their livelihoods 
to ensuring the public safety of Americans.
  Building safety and fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, 
builders, tradespeople, design professionals, laborers and others in 
the construction industry work year-round to ensure the safe 
construction and maintenance of buildings. It is through their efforts 
that our nation continues to address critical safety issues in the 
built environment that affect our citizens in both everyday life and in 
times of natural disaster.
  These individuals, who are dedicated members of the International 
Code Council, develop and implement the highest quality codes to 
protect Americans in the buildings where we work, live, and play.
  The International Codes, the most widely adopted building safety and 
fire prevention codes in the nation, are used by most U.S. cities, 
counties and all 50 states including my State of Vermont. These modem 
building safety codes also include safeguards to protect the public 
from natural disasters, such as hurricanes, snowstorms, tornadoes, 
wildland fires, floods and earthquakes.
  Each year, in observance of Building Safety Month, which is sponsored 
by the International Code Council, Americans are encouraged to raise 
awareness of the importance of safe and resilient construction, fire 
prevention, disaster mitigation, and new technologies in the 
construction industry.
  The theme for Building Safety Month 2018, ``Building Codes Save 
Lives,'' encourages appropriate steps everyone can take to ensure that 
the places where we live, learn, work, worship and play are safe, and 
recognizes that countless lives have been saved due to the 
implementation of safety codes by local and state agencies.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking ICC Board President Mr. Jay 
Elbettar, the International Code Council leadership, and its Members as 
they recognize Building Safety Month.

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