Press Releases
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts today applauded those hard at work in Greensburg rebuilding the town and surrounding areas after a tornado destroyed it exactly one year ago. Senator Roberts will be on hand Sunday to mark the one year anniversary and to celebrate the commencement of Greensburg High School’s class of 2008.
"For the residents of Greensburg, the one year anniversary of the tornado comes with great sadness, but I hope, also with great pride," Senator Roberts said. "The town, which I toured with emergency responders just hours after the storm, was literally blown off the map.
"Words could not adequately describe the devastation. But, there were also no words to describe the residents, neighbors and ordinary Kansans rushing in to help those in extraordinary need. We cut the red tape; we bypassed the bureaucracy – and got the assistance where it was most needed.
"I’ll never forget driving to Pratt later that day, and at Steve and Jolan Strecker’s McDonalds, I called the White House on my cell phone and my call was transferred quickly to President Bush personally.
"After relating what I had seen to the president, he promised he would declare Greensburg a Federal Disaster as soon as he received the Governor’s request, and noted FEMA officials were already notified and on the way. In our ten minute conversation, he asked many more questions on what we had seen and the well being of the citizens of the town. All that was left in the red tape cutting business was for the Governor to request the declaration, which Governor Sebelius promptly did.
"I am so proud of Greensburg, of those citizens in the midst of this terrible tragedy, for deciding immediately not if to rebuild but how. The cornerstone to rebuild Greensburg was laid May 5, 2007.
"And in the last year, they have done it. Greensburg and Kiowa County has become the model for disaster recovery and response for the nation. In years to come when our country is tested by mother nature, we will look to the Greensburg model for the rebuilding.
"Team Greensburg -- local, state and federal officials working together -- has done everything in its power to help its citizens build a better, and yes a greener Greensburg."
At the request of local leaders and in partnership with the entire Kansas Congressional Delegation, Senator Roberts worked on the following initiatives for disaster recovery in Greensburg and the surrounding areas:
$40 million in funds from USDA to support the recovery of housing, businesses, public buildings and services for areas declared federal disasters. Part of this funding produced a Greensburg Business Incubator, which will facilitate the return of businesses, jobs and services to the downtown area. Last September, USDA Rural Development and United Way of the Plains announced their new partnership, the first of its kind, to help construct affordable single-family homes in Kiowa County. Through this program, residents will help rebuild their own homes as well as the homes of their neighbors.
$20 million in grants from the Department of Labor to hire professionals needed in the area. The delegation had to pass legislation to fix this grant program to allow state and local governments to hire public sector employees such as administrators, zoning and planning officials and inspectors. Given the small size of local government in the affected areas, it became apparent to state and Greensburg officials that it would be necessary to hire public employees to assist in the reconstruction. Using the funds, public sector employees with special skills and expertise have already been hired to assist city and county administrators.
Senators Roberts and Brownback introduced a tax relief bill to help Greensburg. It is included in the Senate Farm Bill, the Senate Housing Bill and was passed as a stand alone bill. The House has yet to act on the proposal. This tax relief will allow businesses to claim an additional first-year depreciation deduction for the cost of new property investments, and will double the expensing limit for small businesses. It will also allow businesses to expense some clean-up costs. In addition, there is a tax credit for employers who continued to pay their employees when their businesses were shutdown in the storm’s aftermath.
"I am hopeful that we can reach agreement on the Farm Bill, or the Housing Bill soon, so that businesses and individuals affected by the Greensburg tornado and related storms can benefit from this tax relief," Senator Roberts said.
"There is still much to be done in making Greensburg home again, but on this one year anniversary, we remember those we lost, and celebrate those that have withstood, for there is a bright green future ahead for Greensburg," Roberts said.
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