HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, Building disaster resistant communities requires
1-2 extensive coordination and expertise and is an ongoing process; and
1-3 WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon each community to determine the
1-4 disaster planning measures that are necessary to reduce risk; and
1-5 WHEREAS, Many of our nation's communities are not prepared
1-6 for the potential devastation that can be caused by a natural
1-7 disaster because of inadequate planning and insufficient
1-8 mobilization of resources; and
1-9 WHEREAS, The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
1-10 strongly urges communities throughout Texas to implement the
1-11 Project Impact: Building Disaster Resistant Communities initiative;
1-12 and
1-13 WHEREAS, Since its inception in 1997, the innovative Project
1-14 Impact program has helped numerous communities protect and
1-15 safeguard themselves from natural disasters; and
1-16 WHEREAS, Today, there are approximately 250 Project Impact
1-17 communities in the United States that are better equipped to handle
1-18 disasters such as tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes;
1-19 and
1-20 WHEREAS, Saving lives, reducing property damage, and
1-21 preserving the environment are some of the benefits communities
1-22 have reaped from incorporating tenets of this highly successful
1-23 program; in addition, the Project Impact initiative has proved cost
1-24 effective; and
2-1 WHEREAS, Instead of waiting for disasters to occur,
2-2 communities that adhere to the principles of the program take a
2-3 proactive approach and assess their vulnerabilities to natural
2-4 disasters; moreover, they enforce stricter building codes, improve
2-5 existing structures, and educate residents about preventative
2-6 maintenance steps they can take in their homes and businesses; and
2-7 WHEREAS, Sustaining effective disaster resistance policies is
2-8 a long-term endeavor that requires active partnerships between
2-9 individual citizens, businesses, educators, and civic and
2-10 community-oriented organizations as well as local, state, and
2-11 federal government agencies; and
2-12 WHEREAS, FEMA is promoting the initiative with public service
2-13 announcements on television and radio and spreading the word about
2-14 Project Impact through other media; and
2-15 WHEREAS, Making communities disaster resistant is an
2-16 important and necessary undertaking, and the Project Impact
2-17 initiative is helping to change the way American citizens deal with
2-18 natural disasters; now, therefore, be it
2-19 RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-20 hereby encourage communities across the state to embrace the
2-21 principles contained in the Project Impact: Building Disaster
2-22 Resistant Communities initiative and encourage local governmental
2-23 entities to foster and develop initiatives that complement and
2-24 support comprehensive community-based mitigation as well as
2-25 responsible land use and flood plain management; and, be it further
2-26 RESOLVED, That the legislature hereby designate the week of
2-27 May 20-26, 2001, as Make an Impact Week in Texas and encourage its
3-1 observance throughout the state.
Brimer
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 102 was adopted by the House on May
5, 2001, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 102 was adopted by the Senate on
May 22, 2001, by a viva-voce vote.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________________
Date
__________________________
Governor