U.S. Representative Alcee L. Hastings Calls on Appropriators to Fund Wilma Disaster Relief
U.S. Representative Alcee L. Hastings Calls on Appropriators to Fund Wilma Disaster Relief
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Washington, DC - U.S. Representative Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) today called on the House Appropriations Committee to do whatever is necessary to fund Hurricane Wilma relief in Florida. In a letter written by Representative Hastings and signed by the South Florida and Treasure Coast Congressional delegations, Representative Hastings and others asked the Committee to appropriate "any necessary funding to meet Florida's needs as it recovers from Hurricane Wilma."
"Damage caused by Wilma has been extensive and its effects will be felt for months, if not years," wrote Representative Hastings. "Our state has received a direct hit or been affected by eight hurricanes in the last fifteen months. Six of the eight were Category 2 hurricanes or worse when they made landfall in Florida Congress must do all that it can to help our constituents during this trying time."
Representative Hastings has been working extensively with state and local officials to ensure that the distribution of ice, water, food, and assistance is equitable and appropriate to meet the needs of all communities. He met yesterday directly with FEMA, and he and his staff have been in regular contact with those administering aid and assistance to hurricane victims and restoring power in the affected areas.
"The poorest cities in my district located along the shores of Lake Okeechobee, in the heart of Ft. Lauderdale, and throughout South Florida were completely devastated by Wilma," said Representative Hastings. "Residents are no longer counting the number of homes that lost their roofs during Wilma. They are instead counting the number of homes that still have roofs."
The full text of Representative Hastings' letter follows.
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October 26, 2005
The Honorable Jerry Lewis
Chairman
House Committee on Appropriations
H-218 The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable David R. Obey
Ranking Democrat
House Committee on Appropriations
1016 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Lewis and Representative Obey:
As your Committee completes the fiscal year 2006 appropriations bills and works to prepare a possible supplemental appropriations bill, we ask that it include any necessary funding to meet Florida's needs as it recovers from Hurricane Wilma.
Damage caused by Wilma has been extensive and its effects will be felt for months, if not years. Early estimates of Wilma's damage range between $6 billion and $10 billion in insured losses, the third highest in U.S. history behind Hurricanes Andrew (1992) and Katrina (2005). More than 6 million Floridians were without power immediately following the storm, and 3.2 million remain without power as of this morning. In fact, some industry experts have stated that it may take up to 4 weeks to restore power to residents. Thousands of Florida families are living in shelters, as hundreds and perhaps thousands of homes in the state received major damage or were destroyed. Agriculture losses are also estimated to be in the $1 billion range.
Our state has received a direct hit or been affected by eight hurricanes in the last fifteen months. Six of the eight were Category 2 hurricanes or worse when they made landfall in Florida. In each of these instances, the Committee has worked diligently with us to secure the necessary emergency appropriations to help Florida communities recover and rebuild. We again ask for its assistance today. As more specific damage assessments become available in the coming days, we will pass along the necessary and pertinent information to you and the Committee. Congress must do all that it can to help our constituents during this trying time.
Thank you in advance for your help and assistance in this matter. We look forward to working with you on this and many other issues of critical importance to our state and the country.
Sincerely,
Alcee L. Hastings, MC
Mark Foley, MC
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, MC
Kendrick B. Meek, MC
Lincoln Diaz-Balart, MC
E. Clay Shaw, Jr., MC
Mario Diaz-Balart, MC
Corrine Brown, MC
Jim Davis, MC
Katherine Harris, MC
Robert Wexler, MC
Connie Mack, MC
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, MC
http://alceehastings.house.gov/news/press_releases/PressRelease.aspx?id=122