    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [December 3, 1993]
    [Page 2110]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Hazard Mitigation and Relocation Assistance Act
    of 1993
    December 3, 1993

        Today I am pleased to sign into law S. 1670, the ``Hazard Mitigation
    and Relocation Assistance Act of 1993.''
        The flooding that occurred in the Midwest this past summer was
    unprecedented in our history in scope, magnitude, and duration. The
    sheer number of victims, flooded homes, farms, and businesses, and the
    extent of damage to public facilities called for an unprecedented
    response from the nine affected States, local governments, volunteers,
    and the Federal Government--and respond they did.
        Now that most of the flood waters have receded, it is time to
    reestablish lives disrupted by the weeks and months of rain and flooding
    and to rebuild property damaged by those waters. For many, rebuilding in
    the same place will be out of the question. And for many who want to
    move, relocating off the flood plain may not be possible without help.
        With this legislation, my Administration and the Congress have taken
    an important step toward providing the help needed. This Act authorizes
    a greater Federal contribution toward acquiring and relocating
    structures damaged by floods than was available before. It provides
    higher ceilings on the amounts of Federal disaster funds that can be
    available to help flood victims move out of harm's way. And in assisting
    in the relocation of homes and other structures, it provides greater
    assurance than perhaps any other measure that the people helped will not
    have to suffer such damage and disruption from flooding again. It will
    be less costly to help the flood victims move now and reestablish their
    lives than to bear the expense of repeated flooding.
        I congratulate and thank the many Members of the House and Senate in
    both parties who worked so diligently to pass this legislation. I
    especially commend the leadership of Representatives Volkmer and
    Gephardt, Senators Harkin and Danforth, and other Members of the
    congressional delegations of the Midwestern States, as well as the
    prompt action of the leaders of the House Committee on Public Works and
    Transportation and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,
    December 3, 1993.

    Note: S. 1670, approved December 3, was assigned Public Law No. 103-181.