    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [September 21, 1996]
    [Pages 1642-1643]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Supplemental Disaster Assistance Funding for Victims of
    Hurricanes Fran and Hortense
    September 21, 1996

        I have asked the Congress today for $291 million in supplemental
    funding for fiscal 1996 to help the victims of Hurricanes Fran and
    Hortense, bringing total Federal assistance in response to those
    hurricanes to over $1.5 billion.
        About half of the $1.5 billion will go to North Carolina, with the
    rest spread among South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania,
    Puerto Rico, and perhaps other States. The Federal Government will pay
    $1.2 billion from existing funds, and I have requested that the Congress
    allocate the additional $291 million within congressional spending
    limits.
        Total Federal aid almost surely will exceed $1.5 billion, however.
    These figures do not include all of the expected claims that will come
    in against the Federal crop and flood insurance programs, both of which
    have written substantial numbers of policies in the affected States.
        I recently visited North Carolina, and I saw for myself the
    devastation brought by the two hurricanes as well as the related
    flooding. In addition, senior members of my administration have visited
    the region to learn more about the problems that the hurricanes have
    brought in such areas as agriculture, housing, and public power.
        The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other Federal
    agencies are doing what they can to help the victims. FEMA, for
    instance, has provided a full week of 100 percent financed, direct
    assistance in the form of equipment, supplies, and personnel to save
    lives and property, and it will continue to provide 100 percent
    financing for debris removal. It also has provided extensive individual
    and public assistance, helping tens of thousands of Americans. In
    addition, I have directed FEMA officials to continue to assess whether
    and when North Carolina will be eligible for 90/10 financing, that is,
    Federal financing of 90 percent of the costs, for eligible public
    assistance repair.
        Other Federal agencies that are providing assistance include the
    Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services,
    and Housing and Urban Development; Small Business Administration; Army
    Corps of Engineers; Federal Highway Administration; General Services
    Administration; and Corporation for National and Community Service.
        But we can and must do more. The $291 million that I am requesting
    today includes funding for the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce,
    Housing and Urban Development, and Transportation as well as the Small
    Business Administration and the Army Corps of Engineers.
        Specifically, the request includes:

        Department of Agriculture, $40 million--$20 million for the
            Emergency Conservation Program to help farmers and ranchers
            whose farmland was damaged, and $20 million for the Watershed
            and Flood Prevention to help communities reduce hazards to life
            and property;
        Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration, $18
            million--to enhance and improve infrastructure, such as water
            and sewer systems;
        Department of Housing and Urban Development, $110 million--$100
            million for Community Planning and Development and $10 million
            for the Flexible Subsidy Funds pro-

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          gram, which provides capital funds for FHA-insured multifamily
            housing;
        Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration, $82
            million--to repair damages and to help meet other anticipated
            emergency relief needs in fiscal 1997;
        Small Business Administration's Disaster Loan Program, $22 million--
            to quickly service disaster loans in the affected States; and
        Army Corps of Engineers, $18.8 million--for high-priority emergency
            dredging and debris removal in critical waterways.

        I strongly urge the Congress to quickly approve this request for
    supplemental funding. Together, we can provide the assistance that our
    fellow Americans--the victims of these natural disasters--so desperately
    need.