OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Introduction of the Property Mitigation Assistance Act of 2008

Date: June 26, 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: National Security


INTRODUCTION OF THE PROPERTY MITIGATION ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2008 -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 26, 2008)

SPEECH OF
HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON
OF MISSISSIPPI
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2008

* Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I would like to introduce legislation to help minimize the hardship of home and business owners who are most at-risk prepare for the next, inevitable natural disaster. As people from the gulf coast and those States bordering the Atlantic Ocean are only too well aware, this year's hurricane season officially began in recent days. Once again this year, weather experts are predicting several severe storms. While the reasons for the increased number of storms remains a subject of much argument and debate, their disastrous results lie beyond dispute.

* A better way exists, however, and that way is prevention. ``Prevention,'' when it comes to storm damage, takes many forms. At-risk home and business owners can take preventive measures by ``hardening'' their homes and other structures against preventable storm damage. They can strengthen their roofs, install storm shutters, elevate their electrical systems and even construct ``safe rooms'' within their homes.

* The ``Property Mitigation Assistance Act of 2008,'' would establish a homeowner mitigation loan program within the Federal Emergency Management Agency to promote pre-disaster property mitigation measures. The bill would provide for grants of at least $500,000 to States based on the State's risk of natural disaster, and would authorize $200 million for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2014 for the homeowner mitigation loan program.

* Although, the challenge to rebuild in the aftermath of a natural disaster remains, there must be legislation in place to assist homeowners and businesses that are located in areas that are at risk and subject to repeated hazards or natural disasters. I urge my colleagues to carefully consider The Property Mitigation Assistance Act of 2008 and enact this legislation into law.


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