REMARKS FOR
THE HONORABLE MARY PETERS
SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION

EMERGENCY RELIEF NEWS CONFERENCE
GALVESTON, TX

OCTOBER 23, 2008
11 AM

Thank you, Mayor Thomas, for that kind introduction. I appreciate your hospitality.

I would also like to thank Delvin Dennis, Acting Houston District Engineer, for joining us this morning. We also have with us senior highway and transit officials – Al Alonzi, the Federal Highway Administration Texas Assistant Division Administrator, and Sherry Little, Deputy Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration.

This is my second trip to the area since Hurricane Ike made its brutal rampage across the island. I want to again express my heartfelt sympathies to those who lost so much – and especially to those grieving the loss of family and loved ones.

Just being able to stand here today for this news conference is a sign of the impressive progress since I was here in September. Families are returning; hotels and restaurants are hiring; and Galveston’s beaches are once again open to sunbathers and surfers.

More than anything, this progress is a credit to the resolute spirit of the locals here on Galveston Island. The people of this historic city faced down the storm of the century and are rebuilding their homes, their businesses, and their lives.

It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen. Galveston is determined to get up and get going, and we are determined to help Galveston succeed.

Travel across the island remains a challenge, as I have seen today. I got a first-hand look at the damaged roads, the mountains of debris, and the still-dark lights at intersections. I am especially concerned about getting those traffic signals back on as soon as possible, because it is a serious safety issue.
President Bush promised Galveston help from the federal government, and we have been working aggressively to assist Texas in getting the transportation network back up and running.

Within days after the storm passed, we provided $2 million in quick release highway funds and $1 million in emergency Airport Improvement Program funds to help clear debris and get the work started on restoring transportation systems downed by Hurricane Ike.

We now have a more complete assessment of the extent of the damage. And today, I am here to announce that the U.S. Department of Transportation is releasing $70 million in emergency relief funds to Texas for Hurricane Ike.

These funds will be available immediately so the city can get roads repaired, the traffic signals working again, and the ferry reopened.

The funds are part of a larger emergency relief package that will assist communities around the country that have had their lives disrupted by natural disasters in recent years.

It includes a total of $96 million for Texas. In addition to funds for Hurricane Ike, we are reimbursing the state $26 million for damages from Hurricane Rita in 2005 and Hurricane Dolly earlier this year, as well as the heavy rains that flooded El Paso roads in 2006 and other Texas highways in 2007.

The emergency relief package also provides $80 million for Louisiana, including $20 million for damage related to Hurricane Ike and $55 million for Hurricane Gustav.

Overall, we are releasing a total of over $679 million in federal emergency relief funds to 28 states and Puerto Rico.

When hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters strike, restoring transportation is the first stop on the road to recovery. I believe it is important for communities like Galveston to be able to look to the federal government as a gateway to assistance, not a roadblock of red tape.

So I told the Mayor today that she has a direct line to the U.S. Department of Transportation. If there are problems, she can call me personally, and we will get them resolved.

Our message to Galveston is this: We will work with you and help get you moving again.

Thank you. And now, Mayor Thomas and I will be happy to take your questions.