[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.