Representative Ike Skelton

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Lara Battles or
Tuesday, March 14, 2006	Whitney Frost (202)225-2876

SKELTON SURVEYS STORM DAMAGE IN RAY AND PETTIS COUNTIES, URGES PRESIDENT TO APPROVE DISASTER ASSISTANCE

Orrick, Missouri – Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) met with the Ray County Sheriff, Sam Clemens, at Orrick High School today to see some of the damage inflicted by last weekend’s severe weather. In the afternoon, Skelton was scheduled to visit Sedalia to meet with the Pettis County Sheriff, Kevin Bond, for a report on local storm damage.

“Those of us who live in tornado alley know how random and deadly these storms can be. The storm tore off the roof of Orrick High School, and we also saw significant damage at a local filling station and damage of non-residential farm structures. I intend to do all I can to make sure the appropriate federal assistance is available to help folks put things right,” said Skelton.

Also today, Skelton sent a letter to the President in support of the Governor of Missouri’s request to declare a major disaster for the State of Missouri in the wake of last weekend’s severe storms.

“Recently, portions of Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District were devastated during an outbreak of severe thunderstorms. Tornadoes, hail, high winds, and flash floods destroyed property and lives in much of the area I am privileged to represent, killing at least nine people throughout the state,” wrote Skelton.

“It has come to my attention that the Governor of Missouri has requested federal disaster declarations for a number of Show-Me State counties, including 16 counties in the Fourth District. So that Missourians can promptly begin to restore their property and rebuild their lives, I urge you to expedite the Governor’s request and immediately declare a federal disaster for storm ravaged Missouri counties,” wrote Skelton.

Missouri’s Governor, the Honorable Matt Blunt, formally asked the President to declare a major disaster for the State of Missouri as a result of the recent storms. Sixteen of the counties located in the Fourth Congressional District are included in the request: Bates, Benton, Camden, Cass, Dallas, Hickory, Henry, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Morgan, Pettis, Polk, Saline, St. Clair, and Webster Counties.

The Governor specifically requested Individual Assistance, including Disaster Housing, Individual and Households Program (IHP), Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, and Small Business Administration Disaster Loans.

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Attachment: 3/14/06 Congressman Skelton’s letter to President Bush is a (pdf) file, requires a Adobe Acrobat Reader.
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Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) serves as Ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. For further information, please contact Lara Battles or Whitney Frost at (202)225-2876, or check Congressman Skelton's web site at http://www.house.gov/skelton.