Today, Congressman Dave Loebsack sent letters to President Barack Obama and top administration officials introducing the new leaders to the ongoing flood recovery effort in Iowa, and the continuing unmet needs across the state that have resulted due to the floods. A DVD entitled “In Deep Water: The Flood of 2008” that was produced for the city of Cedar Rapids and Linn County was included in the letters sent to President Barack Obama; Secretary Tom Vilsack, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Secretary-Designate Tom Daschle, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Secretary Shaun Donovan, U.S. Department of Housing and Human Development; Acting Secretary Otto Wolff, U.S. Department of Commerce; Director Peter R. Orszag, the Office of Management and Budget.
“It is critical for President Barack Obama and top administration officials to fully understand the continuing struggle our state, communities, families, and businesses face as we strive to recover from the devastating floods last summer,” said Congressman Loebsack. “Following the floods I immediately worked with my colleagues to secure billions of dollars in disaster assistance, and yet much of this funding has not gone to the areas most in need because the previous administration failed to correctly identify recovery needs. I am looking forward to working with President Obama and other officials to secure further recovery funding and to ensure all funds are appropriately allocated.”
The letter sent explained the challenges of recovering from such a devastating and widespread disaster as the Floods of 2008 are made even more difficult by the current economic crisis facing our country. Rising unemployment and frozen capital streams further compound the struggle to clean up, recover and rebuild for our communities, residents, non-profit organizations, and small businesses. While the current situation presents many challenges, Congressman Loebsack explained there is also an opportunity to make investments in Iowa’s future by rebuilding stronger and more resilient than before.
Enclosed with the letter and DVD were outlines of the existing estimated unmet needs in Iowa and a brief explanation of some issues of concern the Members of the Iowa Congressional Delegation and Iowa Governor’s office have identified. The information provided shows areas the Congressman hopes to work on with the new Administration to further meet the state’s growing needs during the ongoing recovery process.
Please see below for a copy of the letter.
January 29, 2009
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Obama,
As you may be aware, during the summer of 2008, the State of Iowa experienced the worst natural disaster in our history along with numerous other Midwestern states which experienced significant flooding and severe weather as well. In Iowa, 85 of 99 total counties were declared disaster areas by President Bush, representing 85 percent of the entire state. During the 110th Congress, Iowa, and other disaster-affected states, received supplemental funding to help in the states’ recovery efforts and while I am grateful for that assistance, Iowa continues to struggle to rebuild.
This burden is greatly multiplied by the current economic situation. Depressionary economic numbers, record unemployment, and significantly decreased state budgets and revenues make it even more difficult for states which experienced broad reaching natural disasters to recover from these events and pull through the current depression. Iowa alone has billions of dollars in damage, thousands without homes in sub-zero temperatures, businesses closing their doors, and an increasing amount of unemployed individuals, all in addition to the same effects of the current economic downturn felt by states not faced with disaster recovery.
The enclosed documents, organized by Federal Agency of jurisdiction, outline the major categories of damage with estimated unmet needs in addition to a brief explanation of some issues of concern the Members of the Iowa Congressional Delegation and Iowa Governor’s office have identified. As you can see from this information, appropriated funds allocated to Iowa have been insufficient to cover the states’ unmet needs.
As the nation experiences one of its most severe economic downturns, it is increasingly important to address the needs of states recovering from severe natural disasters. While the current situation presents many challenges, there is also an opportunity for us to make investments in our future by rebuilding stronger and more resilient than before.
To help further illustrate the dire situation our state faces, I have enclosed a video produced by a media company in my district which provides an in-depth look into the far reaching effects of the flooding.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and I hope to discuss these issues with you as soon as possible. Congratulations, and I look forward to working with you in your new role. Please let me know if I, or members of my staff, may provide any further information.
Sincerely,
Dave Loebsack
Member of Congress
CC:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Management and Budget
White House Office of Legislative Affairs
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