Code Council Honors Elected Officials for Commitment to Building Safe Communities

Award recipients are Illinois U.S. Representative Judy Biggert, Idaho State Senator Dean L. Cameron and Cheyenne Mayor Richard L. Kaysen

An Illinois Congresswoman, an Idaho State Senator and the Mayor of Cheyenne, Wyo., are the 2012 recipients of Elected Official of the Year Awards conferred by the International Code Council. The award recognizes commitments and contributions to building safety. U.S. Representative Judy Biggert, State Senator Dean L. Cameron and Mayor Richard L. Kaysen will be recognized for their accomplishments at the Code Council’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., during May, which is Building Safety Month.

“ICC Members focus on public safety each and every day,” said Code Council CEO Rick Weiland. “The support of elected officials such as our honorees is a critical part of a successful effort to build safer buildings and protect the public.”

Representative Biggert was recognized for taking an active role as a co-sponsor of the Community Building Code Administration Grant Act and her leadership in passing the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011. She also has been a leader in support of safe and sustainable buildings and co-chair of the High Performance Buildings Congressional Caucus.

State Senator Dean Cameron is a dedicated public servant who supports the activities of code professionals throughout Idaho, said the Idaho Building Officials ICC Chapter in its nomination. Building code professionals in Idaho appreciate his commitment to building safety as a benefit for all Idahoans. They also noted his leadership and recognized him as their champion. Building standards protect the very financial viability of a community, the nomination stated.

Mayor Kaysen’s nomination outlined his commitment to the safety of the citizens of Cheyenne and support of public safety. Jon Narva, Prevention Bureau Chief, Cheyenne Fire & Rescue, and Bruce Wilson, Chief Building Official, Cheyenne Building Safety Department, both described the mayor as a dedicated public servant who fully supports the activities of the code enforcement community in Cheyenne, and the family of International Codes. The mayor has made his strong support of the codes and their applicability in Cheyenne well known.

This is the second year the Code Council has presented the ICC Elected Official of the Year Award. Previous recipients include South Carolina State Senator Phil P. Leventis, New Mexico State Senator Bernadette M. Sanchez and New Jersey Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski.

Through public/private sector collaboration, the Code Council develops codes that result in safe and sustainable construction. As a result, government does not take on the high cost of developing its own codes and benefits from code uniformity that encourages safe and affordable construction.

The International Code Council is a member-focused association dedicated to helping the building safety community and construction industry provide safe and sustainable construction through the development of codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes.