In a recent call for action, by the National Association of Realtors regarding the National Flood Insurance Program, the NAR called on all of us REALTORS across the country to write our Congress men and women and to urge them to extend the National Flood Insurance Program Reextension Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-250), to which I did. I find it very important and I feel a personal responsibility as a Real Estate Professional that when our national or state organization puts out a call for action, that I as a REALTOR, due in fact take action. By us as a group collectively making our voices heard in Congress, it is going to help the prospective home buyer or seller or homeowner and the real estate industry in general.
I am happy to report that our efforts have and are paying off, but there is still more that needs to be done. Just yesterday I received a response from one of my Senators here in Texas, the Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchinson, United State Senator. Here is her response to my initial letters and emails.
Dear Friend:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). I welcome your thoughts and comments.
On September 23, 2010, with my strong support, the Senate passed the National Flood Insurance Program Reextension Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-250). With this extension, Texans living on the Gulf Coast and other flood-prone communities will be able to access reliable, federally-backed flood insurance through the hurricane season of 2011. I served as a co-sponsor of this important legislation, and I am pleased that it temporarily extends the authority of the NFIP through September 30, 2011.
Congress established the NFIP in 1968 to combat mounting flood losses. Nearly 20,200 communities across the nation participate in the NFIP by adopting and enforcing floodplain management ordinances to reduce future flood damage. In exchange, the NFIP currently covers over five million homeowners, renters, and business owners in these communities through federally-backed flood insurance.
In 2008, I supported legislation to reauthorize the NFIP through 2013. The Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007, which passed the Senate on May 13, 2008, would have modified the program to address issues highlighted by the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, and put the program on a more solid basis. Unfortunately, efforts to resolve differences between the Senate bill and its counterpart passed by the House of Representatives were unsuccessful, and a long-term reauthorization of the NFIP was not enacted.
Because homeowners in special flood hazard areas are required to purchase flood insurance to receive, increase, extend, or renew their mortgages, I am pleased that Congress has extended the authority of the National Flood Insurance Program through September 30, 2011. However, this extension should not stop us from pursuing the necessary modernization of the NFIP.
As Congress debates the future of the National Flood Insurance Program, you may be certain that I will keep your views in mind. I appreciate hearing from you, and I hope that you will not hesitate to contact me on any issue that is important to you.
Sincerely,
Kay Bailey Hutchison
United States Senator
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-5922 (tel)
202-224-0776 (fax)
http://hutchison.senate.gov
It is important for us all, agents and consumers alike to write, call, or email our representatives in office whenever it is appropriate and let our voices be heard. I will do my best to keep you up to date on news and events such as this and when it is necessary to contact our local, state and national leaders. You may think to yourself that it won't matter if I write, because I'm too busy or don't have the time, but every little bit counts and if each of us take just a few minutes out of our busy lives to do our part, it will benefit the housing industry as a whole. Please do your part now and make your voice heard by clicking on the Call For Action at the top of this post to read more. Flood Congress with our "Reauthorize Flood Insurance Message".
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