[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 84 (Monday, May 20, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING BUILDING SAFETY MONTH

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                         HON. ANTHONY G. BROWN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 20, 2019

  Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Building Safety Month and the men and women of the International Code 
Council (ICC) for their dedication to public safety and our 
communities.
  Year round, building safety and fire prevention officials, 
architects, engineers, builders, tradespeople, design professionals, 
laborers, and others in the construction industry work to ensure the 
safe construction of buildings. They are dedicated members of the 
International Code Council, a national standards developing 
organization, that brings together local, state and federal officials 
to develop voluntary consensus codes that protect Americans in the 
buildings where we live, work, 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 and counties, and in all 50 
states, including the State of Maryland.
  With natural disasters expected to increase in frequency and 
severity, building codes include important safeguards to protect the 
public from hurricanes, snowstorms, tornadoes, fires, floods, and 
earthquakes. In January 2019, the congressionally-established National 
Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) released a study finding that 
adopting modern model building codes saves $11 for every $1 invested 
through earthquake, flood, and wind mitigation benefits, with a $4 to 
$1 wildfire mitigation benefit. These benefits represent avoided 
casualties, property damage, business interruptions, and insurance 
costs, and are enjoyed by all stakeholders--from developers, 
titleholders, and lenders, to tenants and communities.
  This month is Building Safety Month, during which we should recognize 
the critical role our communities' code officials in assuring us safe, 
efficient, and livable buildings. Madam Speaker, please join me in 
thanking International Code Council Board President, and my constituent 
from Anne Arundel County, Maryland, William R. Bryant, as well as ICC's 
Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, the International Code Council 
leadership, and ICC's Members and staff as they recognize Building 
Safety Month.

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