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Congressman William J. Jefferson
SECOND DISTRICT, LOUISIANA · 2113 Rayburn · WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515
202/225-6636 · 202/225-1988 FAX · www.house.gov/jefferson |
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Congressman Jefferson Sends Letter to US Homeland Security Secretary Regarding FEMA’s Lack of a new National Disaster Response Plan, and the waste of Millions of Dollars worth of Food intended for Future Hurricane Victims |
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Washington, DC – Today Congressman William J. Jefferson (D-La.) sent a letter to US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff questioning reports that claim the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hasn’t produced a new Disaster Response Plan, which is critical since the beginning of hurricane season is June 1st. Jefferson also inquired how $70 million worth of pre-packaged foods set aside for possible victims of the 2006 hurricane season, spoiled and were discarded because of poor storage.
In the letter to Secretary Chertoff, Jefferson writes, “It is my understanding that your agency needs more time to develop your national response plan. It is my understanding that no target date has been set and that- incredibly- a modified version of the plan in place during Hurricane Katrina will be used until the new plan is developed.”
Jefferson goes on to say, “It is disturbing that, of 18.4 million meals stockpiled in 2006, 13.4 million are not available for use during this 2007 hurricane season because of what seems to be nothing short of incompetence.”
The Congressman also sent a letter today to Chairman of the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee Bennie Thompson, requesting a special hearing to address the gross disservice done to Americans because of the absence of a 2007 national disaster response plan and the needless waste of tens of millions of dollars worth of food.
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