Building Safety Month

Proclamation
By the Governor of Alabama
WHEREAS, our state is committed to recognizing growth and strength which depends on the safety and economic value of the homes, buildings and infrastructure that serve our citizens, both in everyday life and in times of natural disaster; and
WHEREAS, our confidence in the structural integrity of these buildings that make up our community is achieved through the devotion of vigilant guardians––building safety and fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, builders, tradespeople, design professionals, laborers and others in the construction industry––who work year-round to ensure the safe construction of buildings; and
WHEREAS, these guardians are dedicated members of the International Code Council, a U.S. based organization, that brings together local, state and federal officials that are experts in the built environment to create and implement the highest-quality codes to protect us in the buildings where we live, learn, work, worship and play; and
WHEREAS, our nation benefits economically and technologically from using the International Codes® that are developed by a national, voluntary consensus codes and standards developing organization, our government is able to avoid the high cost and complexity of developing and maintaining these codes, which are the most widely adopted building safety and fire prevention codes in the nation; these modern building codes include safeguards to protect the public from natural disasters such as hurricanes, snowstorms, tornadoes, wildland fires, floods and earthquake; and
WHEREAS, Building Safety Month is sponsored by the International Code Council to remind the public about the critical role of our communities’ largely unknown guardians of public safety––our local code officials––who assure us of safe, efficient and livable buildings that are essential to keeping America great; and
WHEREAS, “Code Officials—Partners in Community Safety and Economic Growth” the theme for Building Safety Month 2017, encourages all Americans to raise awareness of the importance of building safe and resilient construction; fire prevention; disaster mitigation, and new technologies in the construction industry. Building Safety Month 2017 encourages appropriate steps everyone can take to ensure that the places where we live, learn, work, worship and play are safe, and recognizes that countless lives have been saved due to the implementation of safety codes by local and state agencies; and
WHEREAS, each year, in observance of Building Safety Month, Americans are asked to consider the commitment to improve building safety and economic investment at home and in the community, and to acknowledge the essential service provided to all of us by local and state building departments, fire prevention bureaus and federal agencies in protecting lives and property:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim May 2017, as
Building Safety Month
in the State of Alabama.
Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 3rd day of May 2017.
Kay Ivey
Governor