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In a proclamation posted to the White House press page at the end of April, President Biden declared May National Building Safety Month, saying that it allows the government to “renew our commitment to strengthening our buildings so that all Americans are safe.”
Referencing recent building tragedies such as the Surfside condominium collapse, President Biden said such incidents emphasize the importance of infrastructure and why it has never been more important. “This month we also show our appreciation to the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to create affordable, sustainable, and structurally sound buildings for our communities,” he wrote in the proclamation.
Pointing to the impact of climate change, the increasing frequency and severity of natural hazard incidents, and the role energy efficiency plays in keeping Americans safe, President Biden mentioned residential and commercial buildings and the influence each has on climate-altering carbon pollution before discussing the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and how it tackles those challenges.
“It enables us to repair our Nation’s aging infrastructure, modernize and electrify our buildings, and advance our climate resiliency. By investing in infrastructure, we are investing in opportunities and quality jobs for Americans — particularly in disadvantaged and underserved communities. To further support these communities, we are also providing grant funds for equitable disaster recovery,” the document says.
The theme for this year’s National Building Safety Month is “Safety for All: Codes in Action,” which the president said “is an important reminder that modern building code adoption and enforcement is essential to keeping our homes, businesses, schools, and other facilities safe.”
Before signing off on the proclamation, President Biden also acknowledged the work of building professionals across all sectors, and encouraged strengthening “our collaboration within and across the public, private, and non-profit sectors to address building safety needs today so we can meet the infrastructure challenges of tomorrow.”
To read the full proclamation, click HERE.
