PRINTER'S NO. 4122
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
1112
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY BARRAR, BOBACK, JAMES, NEILSON, READSHAW AND
SCHLOSSBERG, OCTOBER 1, 2018
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, OCTOBER 1, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Calling upon the Federal Government to prioritize and consider
the need for resilient infrastructure to reduce risks and
meet the country's economic, environmental and social needs.
WHEREAS, Our nation's infrastructure faces increasing
vulnerability due to the impacts of severe weather, rising
population and changing land-use patterns; and
WHEREAS, Since 2000, flood-related disasters have caused more
than $750 billion in losses around the country; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's numerous rivers and creeks make it
one of the most flood-prone states in the nation. Flooding in
this Commonwealth is the single greatest cause of property loss
due to natural disasters; and
WHEREAS, Between 2000 and 2015, 20 Federal disasters and
emergencies were declared for floods, hurricanes and severe
storms in Pennsylvania that exceeded $750 million in total
assistance from the United States Government; and
WHEREAS, The need to incorporate resilience into any
comprehensive infrastructure package is underscored by the
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American Society of Civil Engineers' recent grade of D+ for the
nation's infrastructure, and an estimated $4.6 trillion is
needed to repair key sectors of infrastructure across this
country; and
WHEREAS, Over 250 elected officials from across the United
States signed a Flood-Ready Infrastructure Statement of
Principles supporting resilient infrastructure that will:
(1) improve resiliency requirements for buildings and
infrastructure systems built before and after flood-related
catastrophes;
(2) enhance the use of natural defenses in planning and
preparedness; and
(3) reduce unsustainable development in high risk areas;
and
WHEREAS, A bipartisan coalition of leading business groups,
labor unions and elected officials at all levels of government
continue to annually recognize the need for safer, stronger and
sustainable infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, Members of the Congress of the United States and the
current presidential administration have indicated that
addressing infrastructure will be a priority in the coming year,
especially as the nation prepares for the 2018 hurricane season;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania call upon the Federal Government to
consider the principles for resilient infrastructure under this
resolution that would reduce risk and meet our economic,
environmental and social needs; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the President of the United States, the presiding officers of
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each house of Congress, the director of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency and the members of the Pennsylvania
Congressional Delegation.
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