Houston, TX—On Saturday, Congressman Al Green (TX-9) organized a group of his staff and volunteers to render aid to a constituent with a unique and dire need of assistance. Ms. Glenda Caldwell, whose house endured extensive damage during Tropical Storm Allison in 2001, contacted Congressman Green, and after hearing about her plight, the Congressman took immediate action to help rectify her situation. “We have a duty to help each other through hard times. Flooding has become a crisis issue for Houstonians, with thousands having suffered as a result of tropical Storm Allison,” Congressman Green stated.

The uniqueness of Ms. Caldwell case stems from her disabilities; which prevents her from being able to repair the damage without outside help. Not only is she bound to her wheelchair, but she also depends on an oxygen machine to help her breathe.

Due to the damages from Tropical Storm Allison, Ms. Caldwell was left without a working bathroom and without the ability to use the kitchen. Her home lacked running water and safe electrical wiring. Duct tape temporarily patched holes in the walls of her home and the backyard was littered with discarded metal objects and cluttered with heavy rocks. To add to the disorder, ruined items and furniture crowded most rooms inside her house.

When asked her thought about the work that Congressman Green and the volunteers had done, Ms. Caldwell explained, “I was very happy that Congressman Green came to visit me personally to explain how he plans to continue to help me.”

Congressman Green’s office arranged for a dumpster to be placed in front of her home so that he, his staff members and other volunteers could clean up Ms. Caldwell’s house. Due to the mold growing inside the home, the volunteers had to wear masks to protect themselves. They also donned gloves in order to protect their hands from rusted objects and other hazards.

Congressman Green will work with Mayor Bill White, Councilwoman Ada Edwards and others to provide Ms. Caldwell with additional help.