September 4, 2008 Democratic and Republican National Committees Call for Catastrophe Protection: Platform Committees Adopt Language Calling for Reform
Washington - ProtectingAmerica.org, the nation’s leading coalition of first responders, catastrophe experts, and large and small businesses committed to prepare and protect America from natural catastrophes, today praised historic action by the Republican and Democratic National Committees for aligning in support of national reform to address natural disasters as part of their respective platforms.
"Last week, Democrats made history by being the first to address America’s physical and financial preparedness for catastrophe. This week, Republicans voiced their support for strengthening America's disaster insurance system," said Ed Collins, national director of ProtectingAmerica.org.
The action by the DNC and RNC platforms echo the strong bipartisan support demonstrated by the House of Representatives when it passed, by a 258-155 margin, the Homeowners’ Defense Act of 2007.
"ProtectingAmerica.org has long advocated a national catastrophe fund that will work for all Americans and we are thrilled that reform is a priority for both parties. An integrated private-public partnership can increase mitigation and education before catastrophe strikes, enhance responsiveness during a catastrophe and assure the resources are available so homeowners can recover in the aftermath of massive natural events like devastating hurricanes and enormous earthquakes," Collins said.
The DNC’s platform was adopted on Monday, August 25th. In the section entitled, "Preventing and Responding to Future Catastrophes," (pg. 41), the Platform notes: Preventing and Responding to Future Catastrophes We will also work to prevent future catastrophic response failures, whether the emergency comes from hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, wild fires, drought, bridge collapses, or any other natural or man-made disaster….
We will develop a National Catastrophic Insurance Fund to offer an affordable insurance mechanism for high-risk catastrophes that no single private insurer can cover by itself for fear of bankruptcy. This will allow states to deal comprehensively with the economic dislocation of natural disasters.
The RNC’s platform was adopted on Monday, September 2. In the section entitled, "Domestic Disaster Response," (pg. 18), the Platform notes: Domestic Disaster Response Americans hit by disaster must never again feel abandoned by their government. The Katrina disaster taught a painful lesson: The federal government’s system for responding to a natural calamity needs a radical overhaul. We recognize the need for a natural disaster insurance policy. About ProtectingAmerica.org ProtectingAmerica.org was formed in 2005 and is a non-profit organization consisting of emergency management officials, first responders, disaster relief experts, insurers and others. Its members include the American Red Cross, the International Association of Fire Fighters, more than 300 other organizations and businesses and more than 15,000 individuals from across the nation.
The non-partisan organization is chaired by James lee Witt and Admiral James M. Loy. Mr. Witt served for eight years as the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Admiral Loy was formerly the deputy secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security and formerly served as commandant of the United States Coast Guard.
At the core of ProtectingAmerica.org’s mission is the establishment of a comprehensive, integrated national catastrophe management solution that will better prepare and protect American families, communities, consumers and the American economy from catastrophe. Among its efforts to support this mission, ProtectingAmerica.org is working to increase public awareness and consumer education; advocate for better coordination with local, state and federal mitigation and recovery efforts, and strengthen emergency response and financial mechanisms to rebuild after a major catastrophe. ### |
