Letter to President Obama

Letter

U.S. Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn, R-Texas, today sent the following letter to President Barack Obama urging him to approve Gov. Rick Perry's request for an amended Federal Disaster Declaration.

Sens. Hutchison and Cornyn wrote, "It is paramount that the State's appeal be reviewed, considered, and approved, as expeditiously as possible, to bolster efforts currently underway to combat and extinguish the devastating wildfires that continue to plague our State."

More than 18,000 fires have burned over 3.5 million acres of land in Texas in 2011, according to the Texas Forest Service, and have caused at least four deaths. In May, President Obama declined an invitation from Senators Hutchison and Cornyn to tour areas of Texas devastated by wildfires. The full text of the letter is below:

September 8, 2011

The Honorable Barrack Obama
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

We are writing to express our strong support for the State of Texas' request that the Federal Disaster Declaration (FEMA-1999-DR) be amended and expanded due to the most recent wildfires that began over Labor Day weekend. It is paramount that the State's appeal be reviewed, considered, and approved, as expeditiously as possible, to bolster efforts currently underway to combat and extinguish the devastating wildfires that continue to plague our State.

This year has been one of the driest years on record for Texas. The combination of drought and strong winds has proven catastrophic. According to the Texas Forest Service, more than 18,000 fires have scorched in excess of 3.5 million acres. This has resulted in loss of life and the destruction of homes, businesses, and property.

As you will recall, we have written to you and your administration on numerous occasions requesting federal assistance and resources. Additionally, we invited you to tour and visit areas negatively impacted during your trip to Texas in May, which you declined.

While aid through the Fire Management Assistance Grant Program and through a limited Federal Disaster Declaration has provided some relief, it remains inadequate considering the severity and scope of the damage. In April, the State requested a Major Disaster Declaration and Category B (Emergency Protective Services) assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Public Assistance Program for 252 Texas counties. To date, only 52 counties are eligible for assistance under FEMA-1999-DR. Additionally, according to the declaration, help is not available to first responders and communities who battled wildfires that occurred after May 3, 2011.

It is imperative that FEMA update FEMA-1999-DR and expand the eligibility of assistance to communities and residents that have borne the brunt of recent wildfires. We cannot overstate the importance of directing aid to our state, constituents, and communities, so they can extinguish these devastating blazes and begin to rebuild and recover.

We appreciate your continued work to address the concerns we have raised in this letter and we stand ready to assist you and your administration in this matter.

Sincerely,

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