[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6720]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE NEEDED FOR TEXAS

  (Mr. CANSECO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CANSECO. Mr. Speaker, Texas is burning. Since November, Texas has 
experienced over 9,000 wildfires that have burned over 2 million acres 
and destroyed more than 400 homes and several thousand structures. 
These fires continue to rage, threatening the lives and property of 
Texans.
  The State of Texas and local governments, along with our firefighters 
and our other first responders, have done a magnificent job of 
responding to the threats of these wildfires. However, the resources of 
the State and the local government have been stretched responding to 
fires we have already had; and the threat of wildfires continues. 
Without additional assistance, the capacity to respond to future 
wildfires will be greatly diminished. That is why Governor Perry 
requested a major disaster declaration and Federal disaster assistance. 
Unfortunately, President Obama denied this request.
  Mr. Speaker, many in Texas and in my district can't seem to 
understand the President's decision. Governor Perry intends to appeal 
the President's decision, and I hope the President will reconsider.

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