Dear Friends,
As you all know, our district – along with 14 other counties in Georgia – recently suffered a devastating and unprecedented flood. Once the extent of the flooding became apparent, I immediately worked to ensure that the House Leadership and the White House were fully informed and aware of our needs. The disaster declaration from President Obama came in record time.
On Oct. 2nd , I had the opportunity to visit the Fourth District’s three Flood Disaster Centers and meet with some of the survivors and first responders. I was saddened to see so many affected, but meeting with residents who lost their businesses and homes, I was equally struck by their strength and resilience and the caring attitude of the various agencies that are helping. My office stands ready to assist flood survivors in navigating resources available to rebuild and recover. For more information on disaster recovery, click here.
BUSINESS RECOVERY EFFORTS – I’m pleased to announce that the Small Business Administration (SBA) opened a Business Recovery Center at the Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library on Wednesday, October 7. Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
FEMA’S ASSISTANCE – Just one week after federal major disaster declarations were issued, more than $8 million in assistance has been approved to help with recovery in the Fourth District. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has received requests for assistance from 5,500 DeKalb, Rockdale and Gwinnett residents and nearly 1,000 people have received help directly from the Fourth District relief centers. I just got word that Rockdale’s center closed Saturday, Oct. 10, so if you still need help, click here for more information.
SCAM ARTISTS – If you or a neighbor are repairing and rebuilding your home or business, please be on the alert and report potential fraudulent contractors, inspectors, disaster survivors or anyone posing as one of these. Ask for ID, safeguard your personal information, beware people going door to door, and get references and check them. For more information, click here.
NEW WEB SITE – I’m excited that I now have a new Web site to better serve you. One of the unique new features is customization – depending on who you are – a senior, a veteran, a journalist, a constituent or a Spanish speaker, the new site will have unique content and updates just for you. When you get a chance, please take a look.
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In 2008, nearly 600,000 walkers across the nation raised more than $60 million through the Making Strides to support the fight against breast cancer. This year’s local event is Saturday, Oct. 24 at Atlantic Station. For more information on this American Cancer Society event, call 404-315-9417 or click here. To learn more about breast cancer prevention and local programs offering free or low-cost mammograms, click here.
RECOVERY FUNDS AT WORK – In Georgia, the SBA has approved 723 loans to small businesses under the Recovery Act. Since March, the average weekly loan volume has increased by 81 percent compared to January and February. For more information, click here.
HEALTH CARE REFORM LEGISLATION UPDATE – The push to create a health care system that covers the 47 million uninsured Americans while keeping costs down continues as three bills in the House and two in the Senate are now being reconciled or amended in committees before they go to their respective floors for a vote. To keep up to speed on the health care insurance reform bills, click here.
SERVICE ACADEMY INFO EXPO – I’d like to invite Fourth District high school students and parents to my 2009 Service Academy Info Expo on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 4-6 p.m. at Maloof Auditorium in Decatur. You will have a chance to learn about the academic and leadership opportunities available at our nation’s military service academies, the admissions process and how to apply for a nomination through my office. We will be joined by current academy students and admissions liaisons. For details, please click here.
My heart goes out to all our friends and neighbors who were directly impacted by the flood. Please know that going forward you will be in our thoughts and prayers. And a special thanks to all the first responders and the local, state and federal workers and voluntary organizations who have worked so hard to assist those in need.
Please e-mail me any time with your thoughts and concerns about the flooding, health care legislation or any topic that’s on your mind. Thank you!
Hank