[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 88 (Friday, May 24, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                     HONORING BUILDING SAFETY MONTH

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                          HON. SHARICE DAVIDS

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 24, 2019

  Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, today, during Building Safety 
Month, I am pleased to recognize the importance of safety in the built 
environment and the dedication of the members of the International Code 
Council (ICC) for their roles in protecting our communities.
  With natural disasters only expected to increase in frequency and 
severity, building codes include important safeguards to protect the 
public from tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, snowstorms, wildland fires, 
and earthquakes. In January 2019, the congressionally-established 
National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) released a study finding 
that adopting modern model building codes save $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 building stakeholders--from 
developers, titleholders, and lenders, to tenants and communities.
  Vulnerable and underserved populations are most effected by increases 
in utility costs. And they often have the most to lose in the event of 
a disaster or health emergency. Building codes establish minimum 
requirements that ensure safe, resilient, and energy efficient schools, 
childcare and healthcare facilities, housing, and places of employment, 
regardless of the income or background of the facility's ownership and 
occupants. These protections are required by law for public safety, and 
enforced by code officials to ensure everyone enjoys the same 
protections and plays by the same rules.
  Year round, building safety and fire prevention officials, 
architects, engineers, builders, tradespeople, laborers, and others in 
the construction industry work to ensure the safe construction of 
buildings though the use of model building codes. The dedicated members 
of the International Code Council, a national standards developing 
organization, come together with local, state and federal officials to 
develop voluntary consensus codes that protect Americans in the 
buildings where we worship, live, work, learn, 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 Kansas. I commend 
the city of Lenexa in my district for adopting the 2018 International 
Codes and the other cities in my district that are undertaking efforts 
to update their building codes.
  Building Safety Month is sponsored by the International Code Council 
to remind the public about the critical role of our communities' code 
officials in assuring us safe, efficient, and livable buildings. ``No 
Code. No Confidence,'' the theme for Building Safety Month 2019, 
encourages all Americans to raise awareness of the importance of safe 
and resilient construction, fire prevention, disaster mitigation, and 
new technologies in the construction industry.
  I am honored to recognize International Code Council Board President 
William R. Bryant, ICC's Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, the 
International Code Council leadership, and ICC's Members and staff as 
they celebrate Building Safety Month.

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