News

Pickering's Mississippi E-Memo
Congressman Chip Pickering
Tuesday - 02/21/2006 - #52

KATRINA REPORT: The House Select Committee on Hurricane Katrina released its report last Wednesday which found failures in preparation and response at all levels of the government, but found few to no criticisms on Mississippi's efforts. Across the country, people witnessed the spirit of Mississippi's people during that time of heartache, and the leadership of our officials during a time of crisis, and have a greater appreciation for our state and people. Congressman Pickering believes the report demonstrates a failure on the federal government's part to properly prepare, respond and provide relief in the wake of the hurricane. You can read the report for yourself at http://katrina.house.gov and can find some of Congressman Pickering's criticisms and recommendations for reform in the news accounts below. He will be introducing reform legislation soon and you will be able to read more details on that subject in coming weeks.

CHIP PICKERING ONLINE NEWS:

Legislators Seek to Fix the Problems the Congressional Katrina Report Exposed (Audio) (MPB: 2/20)

Localities log $405M reimbursed from FEMA (Clarion Ledger: 2/20)

Federal changes must be ordered (Clarion Ledger: 2/20)

Pickering Criticizes Katrina Response (Video) (WLBT: 2/18)

Pickering criticizes inefficient storm aid (Clarion Ledger: 2/18)

Pickering expects disaster reforms (AP: 2/18)

Pickering Urges Federal Disaster Reform (WLBT: 2/17)

Clarion Ledger Editorial Board Meeting (David Hampton Blog: 2/17)

Bush asks for $20B hurricane package (Hattiesburg American: 2/17)

Pickering Responds to Katrina Committee Report (Release: 2/15)

PORT SECURITY: Two weeks ago, Congressman Pickering first began hearing about the possibility that Dubai Ports World, owned by a United Arab Emirates company, could become the new administrators of several American ports (New York/New Jersey, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Miami). This would occur through their purchase of Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company, a British firm currently under contract to perform the services. Congressman Pickering expressed strong concerns to and asked for more details from the Bush Administration. Since that time, a number of congressional concerns have been expressed by members in the House and the Senate and the issue of port security is being reexamined. Congressman Pickering believes this homeland security issue is similar to the incident last summer when China sought to purchase the U.S. based oil company Unocal. That deal encountered congressional opposition and eventually the China National Offshore Oil Company withdrew their bid and the company was purchased instead by Chevron. You will continue to receive updates on this issue as it develops.

APPROPRIATIONS: Fiscal Year 2007 appropriations request forms for the Third Congressional District are now online at Congressman Pickering's web page: www.house.gov/pickering/appropriations - the forms can be e-mailed or faxed to the office. The deadline for completed forms is close-of-business on Wednesday, March 1, 2006.

SBA DISASTER LOANS: Mississippi residents affected by Hurricane Katrina are urged to complete and return their Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan applications to be eligible for all types of available federal and state disaster assistance. The deadline is March 11, 2006. Applicants in Mississippi have been approved for more than $1.4 billion in SBA disaster assistance loans. The SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to qualified homeowners, renters, landlords, certain private non-profit organizations and businesses of any size that sustained losses due to Hurricane Katrina. These loans are designed for people affected by the disaster who are either uninsured or not fully covered by insurance. Mississippians affected by Hurricane Katrina who have not already registered for FEMA assistance are encouraged to call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 for speech- or hearing-impaired. (For more information: www.fema.gov)

FIRE GRANT WORKSHOPS: During 2005, Congressman Chip Pickering announced twenty-nine first responder federal grants to fire stations in the Third District for over $2.7 million. On March 3,4,17 & 18, four workshops will be held in Mississippi to assist first responders in this competitive grant program. Interested fire department representatives are invited to attend. Information will be presented on the program and on the application process. General assistance in the writing of a competitive narrative for a department's grant application will be discussed. Each workshop is approximately 2 hours in length and each will present the same material. Fire departments can also receive information and assistance from Pickering's Grant Coordinator Mary Martha Henson in the Meridian Office at 601-693-6681. (For more information see www.firegrantsupport.com):1) 3/3/2006 9am Batesville MS National Guard Armory: 705-A Keating Road; 2) 3/4/2006 9am Boonesville MS NE Mississippi Community College Holiday Hall; 3) 3/17/2006 9am Jackson MS Mississippi State Fire Academy; 4) 3/18/2006 9am Gautier MS Gautier Convention Center. For all seminars contact Larry Barr (601) 359-1062 Larry.Barr@mid.state.ms.us

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