[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 4, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 26981-26982]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10648]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 86 / Wednesday, May 4, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 26981]]


                Proclamation 9435 of April 29, 2016

                
National Building Safety Month, 2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Buildings across our country provide safety and shelter 
                to our people. From high-rises that form our cities' 
                skylines to ranch homes that blanket the countryside, 
                our buildings offer places to gather and perform daily 
                activities, and they must have sound, secure, and 
                resilient structures. During National Building Safety 
                Month, we recognize and pay tribute to those who ensure 
                the safety and resilience of our Nation's buildings, 
                and we reaffirm our commitment to upholding and abiding 
                by strong and effective building safety standards.

                Maintaining the safety and resilience of our homes and 
                buildings is imperative. By using disaster-resistant 
                building codes and standards, resilient construction 
                materials, and safe and performance-based design 
                methods, we can safeguard the workplaces, houses, 
                schools, and other facilities that provide us with 
                space to grow, live, and learn. Americans can also take 
                steps to secure buildings before natural disasters 
                strike by elevating properties where necessary, 
                anchoring furniture and other materials, reinforcing 
                doors, and covering windows. I encourage everyone to 
                visit www.Ready.gov to learn about more ways to keep 
                yourself and those around you safe in your homes and 
                businesses.

                The Federal Government is leading by example. To 
                prepare for natural disasters, I have signed Executive 
                Orders that strengthen the security of Federal 
                buildings and assets and improve their resilience to 
                floods and earthquakes, reduce the risks of harm to 
                people, lower recovery costs, and make it easier for 
                communities to recover faster and emerge stronger. 
                Later this month, the White House will bring together 
                collaborators from the public and private sectors at a 
                Conference on Resilient Building Codes. This event will 
                underscore the critical role building codes play in 
                ensuring community resilience, and it will strengthen 
                our national commitment to advancing resilience in the 
                built environment, from codes and standards to building 
                design and construction.

                The consequences of natural disasters can be 
                exacerbated by the effects of a changing climate--
                including through stronger storms and longer wildfire 
                seasons--so it is crucial that we ensure our buildings 
                are resilient to the impacts of climate change. My 
                Administration has worked with communities to build 
                climate-resilient infrastructure to prepare for the 
                impacts of climate change that we can no longer 
                prevent, and we are continuing to invest in energy 
                efficiency in our buildings.

                All people deserve to feel safe in the buildings we 
                inhabit day in and day out. With care and attention, we 
                can secure and protect the places we spend time in. 
                This month, let us take action to safeguard America's 
                homes, schools, and other buildings, and let us ensure 
                those responsible for this important work have the 
                tools and resources they need.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim May 2016 as National 
                Building Safety Month. I encourage citizens, government 
                agencies, businesses,

[[Page 26982]]

                nonprofits, and other interested groups to join in 
                activities that raise awareness about building safety. 
                I also call on all Americans to learn more about how 
                they can contribute to building safety at home and in 
                their communities.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and fortieth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2016-10648
Filed 5-3-16; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F6-P