Kansas just received the news we all had been waiting for: FEMA approved the remaining requests for federal disaster assistance following one of the worst snow and ice storms we had ever experienced. From utility and road repairs to public building repair, FEMA will reimburse the state for much of these significant costs. That is fantastic news and a major relief for communities that suffered damage.

I also want to thank FEMA for stepping up to the plate so quickly for our state. In working with them for the last few weeks, both in Kansas and in Washington, along with the state’s emergency management officials, they have been engaged, active and responsive to our needs. They have toiled around the clock to ensure we make the best case possible to obtain additional federal aid. They even opened an office in Topeka to manage the crisis.

In the wake of disasters, there are always stories of help and heroism. Let me share a few. First, kudos and thanks to General Bunting and the Kansas National Guard, which leaped into action after the snow and ice fell on much of Kansas at the start of the new year.

Knowing that cattle on the frozen plains were in danger of starving and freezing to death, the Guard mobilized to airlift hay and generators for water to the mired herds.While this was not the kind of mission the Guard had trained to perform, they took the initiative and did it because it had to be done.

They were not alone. Kansans leaned forward to help their neighbors. In Sharon Springs, one hero showed up and ran his front loader for three solid days clearing debris for the nursing home, hospital, police and fire stations. There were stories of farmer after farmer using their tractors to tow utility trucks to downed poles.

In Syracuse, a local business provided equipment to the fire and police departments so that they could communicate despite their downed towers. Gray County allowed Haskell County to route their emergency communications through their facilities. The families of Pioneer Electric executives fed chilli to the 300 utility workers called in to fix the lines. The Sheriff and his deputies in Hugoton made it their mission to visit every resident of the county to ensure their safety.

I even heard the story of John "Dusty" Dowd, Jr., a crop duster who put skis on his plane to reach a stranded motorist reported missing for over 46 hours somewhere on a Hamilton County road. Dowd landed on the road, found her car empty and then at his own risk, flew to several houses to see if she had taken shelter at one of them. She had, indeed, managed to make it five miles to one of the area homes. Satisfied she was ok, Dowd flew on to help others.

As you know, this spirit, this willingness of ordinary citizens to help, despite great personal expense, and without being asked, is a common occurrence in Kansas. Aren’t we lucky?

It is no surprise that with this kind of example local, state and federal government echoed the actions of these Kansans. We can be proud that the results of a sound partnership among all levels of government provided real results in an emergency.

It is good to know that when we are tested, we live up to our motto, "To the Stars through Difficulties."