{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://susanwbrooks.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/indiana-delegation-urges-president-to-support-governor-pence-s-request", "Indiana Delegation Urges President to Support Governor Pence\u2019s Request for Federal Assistance for Howard County", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Susan Brooks", "B001284", "susanwbrooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 The Indiana congressional delegation today sent a letter to President Barack Obama expressing strong support for Governor Mike Pence\u2019s request for the administration to provide federal assistance to Howard County following the severe tornadoes that struck Indiana on November 17.\nIn the letter, the members wrote, \u201cAfter surveying the damage and consulting with state and local government officials, it is clear the recovery is beyond the capabilities and resources of the State of Indiana.\u00a0The Governor is therefore requesting federal assistance for Howard County.\u00a0The Governor is also requesting Hazard Mitigation statewide, and may also make additional requests for other counties in the state\u2026We hope careful consideration will be given to Governor Pence\u2019s request, and believe timely federal assistance will significantly assist Indiana\u2019s recovery efforts.\u201d\nOn Wednesday, Governor Pence asked that a Major Disaster Area Declaration be declared for Howard County, which would include grants and low-interest loans for residents and businesses devastated by the storms. Small Business Administration loans also may be available. Governor Pence\u2019s request is for Individual Assistance and indicates that further damage may be identified that could require additional assistance.\nClick here for a copy of the signed letter.\nThe full text of the letter follows:\nDecember 5, 2013\nThe Honorable Barack Obama\nPresident of the United States\nThe White House\nWashington, D.C. 20500\nDear Mr. President:\nWe are writing to express our strong support for Governor Mike Pence\u2019s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Indiana following the devastating tornadoes and severe storms that hit Indiana on November 17, 2013.\nThis period of disastrous weather caused extensive damage to public and private property throughout Indiana.\u00a0 A total of 28 tornadoes touched down in Indiana on November 17, the third highest number of tornadoes in a single day in Indiana.\u00a0 In the aftermath of these storms, Governor Mike Pence requested a joint federal, state, and local damage assessment of Howard County, including the City of Kokomo, where the greatest Individual Assistance damage occurred.\u00a0 The Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment verified the damage in Howard County, and noted that the affected area contained 45 percent low income residents.\u00a0\nFurthermore, the State of Indiana and this area have been subject to several other disasters since 2012 that have depleted the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF).\u00a0 In particular, on April 17, 2013, heavy rains caused the citizens of Howard County to experience a record flood on Wildcat Creek, leading the state to request a U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan program and to activate the SDRF.\u00a0 As a result of this and other disasters, the current SDRF balance is $348,000.\u00a0\nAfter surveying the damage and consulting with state and local government officials, it is clear the recovery is beyond the capabilities and resources of the State of Indiana.\u00a0 The Governor is therefore requesting federal assistance for Howard County.\u00a0 The Governor is also requesting Hazard Mitigation statewide, and may also make additional requests for other counties in the state.\u00a0 Hoosiers have a proud and resilient history of triumphing over tragedy and persevering past precarious circumstances.\u00a0 However, the damage from the current disaster demands further federal assistance.\nCongress plays a critical role in budgeting and appropriating funds for federal disaster relief, and we believe the damage sustained on November 17 is exactly the sort of event that should be considered for federal disaster assistance.\u00a0 Together, we firmly believe the next step on the long road to recovery is the issuance of a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration.\u00a0 We hope careful consideration will be given to Governor Pence\u2019s request, and believe timely federal assistance will significantly assist Indiana\u2019s recovery efforts.\nThank you for your consideration of this important matter.\n\u00a0\nSincerely,\nDan Coats\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nUnited States Senator\n\u00a0\nJoe Donnelly\nUnited States Senator\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\nTodd Rokita\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nMember of Congress\n\u00a0\nSusan Brooks\nMember of Congress\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\nTodd Young\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nMember of Congress \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\nAndre Carson\nMember of Congress\n\u00a0\nJackie Walorski\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nMember of Congress \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\nLarry Bucshon\nMember of Congress\n\u00a0\nLuke 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