News from Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
For Immediate Release
Contact: Russ Levsen, 202-226-4449
Chip Weiskotten, 202-226-8553

HERSETH SANDLIN STATEMENT ON PRESIDENTIAL DISASTER DECLARATION FOR PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS

May 23, 2007, Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin issued the following statement on the president’s declaration that 10 South Dakota counties affected by recent storms qualify for individual federal disaster aid.

Rep. Herseth Sandlin said, “While I wish the announcement would have come sooner, this individual assistance is a good first step and an important acknowledgment of the severity of the storms that hit a number of counties across South Dakota. The lives of thousands of South Dakotans have been affected and this individual assistance will be very important to help recovery. However, assistance for public repairs has yet to be released and I will continue to advocate with FEMA and the Administration for this additional help as our communities recover.”

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Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin serves South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats committed to fiscal discipline and strong national security, and is co-chair of the Rural Working Group, which is dedicated to raising the profile of issues important to rural America. She also serves on three committees vital to South Dakota’s interests: Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs and Resources. In the 110th Congress, Rep. Herseth Sandlin was appointed to serve on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.