January 16, 2009
GALVESTON – Gov. Rick Perry today emphasized the importance of the Commission
for Disaster Recovery and Renewal, and thanked commission members for their commitment to helping communities recover and
rebuild from future disasters. The commission held the first of a series of public hearings today in Galveston and toured
affected communities.
“When the federal government doesn’t keep its commitments and take care of business, Texans
will do what it can to fill the gap. You are leading the charge into that gap,” Gov. Perry said. “Our state needs
you to develop a roadmap for recovery and renewal after the most devastating storm season in Texas history. So I urge you
to be thorough in your deliberations, creative in your planning and bold in your recommendations.”
This session, the governor has requested that the Legislature set aside money for a disaster contingency
fund for use by local officials to immediately address essential needs such as debris removal and temporary housing in the
wake of future disasters. The fund would be replenished for those expenses by FEMA reimbursements.
Recent Hurricane Ike recovery efforts have also come from the Texas Disaster Relief Fund, a non-profit,
donation-based program created after Hurricane Rita to support and complement existing relief resources. Recently the fund
issued awards of $1.2 million and $800,000 to assist Galveston and Jefferson counties with small business, housing, and other
direct Hurricane Ike related needs.
Additional members recently named to the commission include:
· Lonnie Arrington of
Beaumont is president and owner of Fabricon International.
· Sid Bouse of Port Bolivar is a land surveyor
with Coastal Surveying of Texas.
· Joseph F. Domino of Beaumont is president and CEO of Entergy Texas.
·
Debbie M. Hastings of Hutto is vice president of environmental affairs for the Texas Oil & Gas Association.
·
Kevan G. McCrae of Houston is the safety, health and environment manager for ExxonMobil Pipeline Company.
·
Dean T. Robinson is the mayor of Silsbee and president of the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission.
·
Jeffrey G. Sjostrom of Galveston is the founding president of the Galveston Economic Partnership.
·
Bill Summers of Alamo is president and CEO of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership and Chamber of Commerce.
