Dick Durbin, Barack Obama Support Request For Federal Assistance

June 14, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C.- Late last night, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) sent a letter to the President in support of Governor Rod Blagojevich's request for direct federal assistance to help Illinois communities to respond to and recover from flooding.

"We write to support Governor Rod Blagojevich's request for an expedited major disaster for the State of Illinois as a result of severe storms and flooding beginning on June 1, 2008 and continuing. Governor Blagojevich has already declared 13 counties state disaster areas," wrote the Illinois Senators.. "The predicted impact of flood waters on homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure is greater than the capacity of the state and local governments to recover from ongoing flooding and prepare for a disaster of this size. We respectfully request that you make the necessary declaration so that the residents of affected areas can receive federal disaster assistance."

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Text of letter below:

June 13, 2008

The Honorable George W. Bush
The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

We write to support Governor Rod Blagojevich's request for an expedited major disaster for the State of Illinois as a result of severe storms and flooding beginning on June 1, 2008 and continuing. Governor Blagojevich has already declared 13 counties state disaster areas.

Heavy rainfall over the past two months has caused floodwaters to rise along multiple river systems in Illinois. Current weather conditions in Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin are projected to cause major flooding along the Mississippi River, with water levels forecasted to break or come close to the records set by the devastating floods in 1993. Several levees have already failed, and others are expected to overtop. In response, the St. Louis Army Corps of Engineers has already begun closing locks and dams along the Mississippi River.

In anticipation of the widespread damage expected along the Mississippi River, Governor Blagojevich announced yesterday state disaster declarations for Adams, Calhoun, Hancock, Henderson, Mercer, Pike, and Rock Island counties. On Tuesday, Clark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Jasper, and Lawrence counties received disaster declarations as a result of last weekend's storms. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), the Rock Island and St. Louis Army Corps of Engineers, and the Illinois National Guard continue to work closely together on flood preparation and mitigation efforts.

Unfortunately, the predicted impact of flood waters is greater than the capacity of state or local governments to prepare for a disaster of this size. This is the fifth major flood event to impact Illinois in the past eleven months, three of which were declared major disasters and received federal assistance. The predicted impact of flood waters on homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure is greater than the capacity of the state and local governments to recover from ongoing flooding and prepare for a disaster of this size.

We respectfully request that you make the necessary declaration so that the residents of affected areas can receive federal disaster assistance. We thank you in advance for your timely consideration of this important request and stand ready to assist in any way appropriate.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

Barack Obama
United States Senator

Source: Senator Barack Obama