[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 129, 114th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9262 of April 30, 2015

National Building Safety Month, 2015

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

From skyscrapers and schools to hospitals and homes, America's buildings
are the foundations of our communities. When disasters strike, we rely
on the structural integrity of our buildings to keep us safe. This
month, we pay tribute to the innovative professionals who implement our
safety standards, and we redouble our efforts to make our buildings as
resilient as our people.
All Americans can take action to protect their loved ones and their
property by preparing their homes and workplaces for any disaster. If
earthquakes are common where you live, you can restrain heavy
appliances, anchor tall bookcases and file cabinets, and install latches
on drawers and cabinet doors. To protect against hurricanes, tornadoes,
and high winds, you can reinforce garage doors and prepare covers for
your windows and house doors. To learn more about how to prepare for all
types of disasters and improve the safety and resilience of the places
in which you spend time, visit www.Ready.gov.
My Administration is committed to creating stronger, safer, disaster-
resistant communities and to empowering Americans to do their part. We
are collaborating with engineers, scientists, construction workers, and
other professionals to develop cutting-edge tools focused on bol

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stering the safety of our buildings and infrastructure while also
improving their energy efficiency--because we can increase our Nation's
resilience while also being good stewards of our environment. And we are
working with States, tribal leaders, and local partners to ensure
neighborhoods across our Nation adopt the most up-to-date building codes
and standards that not only help protect individuals and their families,
but also support the needs of our cities and towns.
As our Nation faces longer wildfire seasons, more severe droughts,
heavier rainfall, and more frequent flooding in a changing climate,
safeguarding the resilience of our infrastructure is more critical than
ever. That is why, as part of my Climate Action Plan, my Administration
is committed to building infrastructure that can withstand more frequent
and more devastating natural disasters. To support these efforts,
earlier this year I established a flood standard for new and rebuilt
federally funded structures in and around floodplains, ensuring taxpayer
dollars are well spent on resilient infrastructure while reducing the
risk and cost of future flood disasters.
Across the United States, buildings bring us together and protect us
from harm. As a Nation, our capacity to continue to withstand threats
and recover quickly from disaster depends on what we do today. During
National Building Safety Month, let us rededicate ourselves to making
the places we live, work, and play more stable and secure for
generations to come.
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 2015 as National
Building Safety Month. I encourage citizens, government agencies,
businesses, 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 thirtieth day of
April, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
ninth.
BARACK OBAMA