(Washington, D.C.) The Arkansas Employment Security Department has
been awarded a $3 million grant to provide for assistance for Hurricane
Katrina evacuees, announced U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor
and Representatives Vic Snyder, Mike Ross, John Boozman and Marion Berry.
The Department of Labor grant was awarded through the Workforce Investment
Act’s National Emergency Grant (NEG) funds.
The Delegation had requested a grant in the amount of $30 million from
the Department of Labor to assist the estimated 15,000 dislocated workers
in Arkansas from the Gulf region. The Delegation hopes that this
$3 million is the foundation for more funding.
"From Hurricane Katrina and now to Hurricane Rita, Arkansas has demonstrated
to the rest of the country what it means to be a good neighbor," Senator
Blanche Lincoln said. "I welcome this money today because it couldn’t be
more timely, but much more is needed from the federal government to allow
Arkansas to adequately handle all the evacuees we are hosting. I’m proud
to have worked with Congressman Snyder and the rest of the Arkansas Congressional
Delegation to expedite this money, and I look forward to working with the
Delegation to ensure that Arkansas has all the federal resources it needs."
“Our entire delegation is working together to ensure Arkansas has the
money it needs to support our Gulf Coast neighbors in their time of need.
I’m pleased that Arkansas has received this much needed funding, and I
will continue to fight for money the state will need to help individuals
rebuild their lives and keep the state’s budget afloat,” Pryor said.
“Arkansas has opened its hearts and homes to so many Hurricane
Katrina evacuees, and continues to as we hear of 4,000 more people arriving
this week from Texas,” said Congressman Snyder. “While we have asked
for much more federal assistance, this $3 million is a good start."
“Ensuring that residents of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama
receive the necessary resources to start over is a vital step to restoring
a sense of normalcy to the spontaneously uprooted lives of our southern
neighbors,” said Ross. “This National Emergency Grant for the Arkansas
Employment Security Department is a promising start as those affected by
Hurricane Katrina begin the process of rebuilding their lives, and I remain
committed to working with the Arkansas Congressional Delegation to pursue
additional funding.”
"The people of Arkansas have come together to provide care and comfort
for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Our Senators, myself, and the
rest of Arkansas' House members are pushing for federal assistance so Arkansas
can continue helping our neighbors rebuild their lives. I am pleased that
the federal government has released this grant. We will continue
to push for additional aid so that Arkansas can continue to care for our
neighbors in their time of need," said Boozman.
"Arkansans have opened their homes and businesses to the victims of
Hurricane Katrina and remain committed to doing whatever it takes to help
these individuals rebuild their lives," said Congressman Berry. "Today's
announcement affirms the federal government's commitment to this effort
and should ensure all Arkansans that we stand with them in our commitment
to providing employment opportunities for the recent evacuees of Mississippi,
Louisiana, and Alabama."
The NEG grant will provide for assistance for the victims of Hurricane
Katrina such as temporary employment to assist disaster relief efforts,
including supporting shelter operations and assisting with humanitarian
efforts; needs-related payments for those not eligible for or who have
exhausted either disaster and unemployment insurance; short-term vocational
training that could be useful in rebuilding or resettlement efforts; job
search assistance; temporary unsubsidized employment opportunities in the
private sector; and dissemination of information on how to access Disaster
Unemployment Assistance or Unemployment Insurance; establishment of temporary
shelters; and crisis and financial counseling. The Department of
Labor will provide this funding to the state, which funds the project operation.
The Delegation has sent three letters requesting NEG funding, one to
Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, one
to President Bush, and one to Chairman Lewis and Ranking Member Obey of
the House Committee on Appropriations. |