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PRINTER'S NO. 1398
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
231
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY BARRAR, SAINATO, BOBACK, DeLUCA, JAMES, MURT,
READSHAW AND MOUL, APRIL 15, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, APRIL 15, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Urging 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 $841 billion in losses around the country; and
WHEREAS, Flooding in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is the
single greatest cause of property loss due to natural disasters
and this Commonwealth's numerous rivers and creeks make
Pennsylvania one of the most flood-prone states in the nation;
and
WHEREAS, Between 2000 and 2018, 21 Federal disasters and
emergencies were declared as a result of floods, hurricanes and
severe storms in Pennsylvania, requiring more than $750 million
in total assistance from the United States Government; and
WHEREAS, The need to incorporate resilience into any
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comprehensive infrastructure package is underscored by the
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, More than 500 small to medium sized businesses from
across the country signed a letter to the Federal Government
calling for a modernized flood-ready standard for federally-
funded construction projects; 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 2019 hurricane season;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge the Federal Government to
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consider the need for resilient infrastructure to reduce risks
and meet the country's 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
each house of Congress, the director of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency and the members of the Pennsylvania
Congressional Delegation.
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