The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has now opened disaster recovery centers throughout central New Jersey to help area residents recover from Hurricane Sandy.  At the centers, visitors can receive information about different types of state and federal disaster assistance, get help completing disaster relief applications, inquire about the status of their applications, and more.  Each center is open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. daily.

If you want to file a claim, you need not visit a recovery center (the website DisasterAssistance.Gov works well), but if you would like to get answers in person, you can visit any of these locations:

UPDATE: Some of the disaster recovery centers listed below have now closed or changed their hours.  For up-to-date information, please use FEMA's Disaster Recovery Center locator tool online.

Hunterdon County
Department of Public Safety Annex
77 Park Avenue
Flemington, New Jersey 08822

Mercer County
Mercer County Community College
1200 Old Trenton Road
West Windsor, New Jersey 08550

Middlesex County
Sayreville Senior Center
423 Main Street
Sayreville, New Jersey 08872

Monmouth County
Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center
945 Hwy. 36, Atlantic Highlands
Leonardo, New Jersey 07737

Somerset County
Somerset County Human Services
27 Warren Street
Somerville, New Jersey 08876

Should you encounter any difficulties in your dealing with FEMA, please do not hesitate to contact me by sending an e-mail or calling 1-87-RUSH-HOLT (1-877-874-4658).

Advancing the 9/11 Commission’s Recommendations on Civil Liberties

After years of dormancy, the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board – which was created in response to a 9/11 Commission recommendation that “there should be a board within the executive branch to oversee… the commitment the government makes to defend our civil liberties – finally held its first meeting late last month.

I am pleased to see the Board moving forward and hope that it becomes a powerful voice for Americans’ constitutional rights.  As our Founders understood, our civil liberties are essential to ensuring that America remains both free and secure.

An Update on the 12th Congressional District

I will be returning to Congress in 2013.  However, the people of New Jersey whom I represent will change somewhat.  The new 12th Congressional District, as determined by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission last year, will no longer include areas in Hunterdon and Monmouth counties that have been incorporated into other districts, and will include additional areas in Union, Somerset, Middlesex, and Mercer counties.  Altogether, I will be the representative of about 735,000 people, only slightly more than currently. 

Please know that, until the new Congress convenes in January, I will remain completely dedicated to representing the people of the current 12th Congressional District.  No matter where you live within the district, I still need to hear your voice and your ideas, and I will remain available to serve you.

Whether or not I will have the privilege of representing you in the 113th Congress, please know that serving you is the greatest honor of my life.

Sincerely,

Rush Holt
Member of Congress

P.S. Just a reminder: I always want to hear from you, but to ensure a prompt response, please don’t reply to this e-mail.  Instead, please visit holt.house.gov/contact or call 1-87-RUSH-HOLT (1-877-874-4658).