Souder Writes Letter In Support Of Federal Aid For Nappanee
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Tim Robertson-trobertson@timesuniononline.com
The Indiana Congressional Delegation signed a letter urging President Bush to approve federal aid for Indiana after a tornado hit the Nappanee area Oct. 18.
District 3 U.S. Rep. Mark Souder penned the letter, which all eight other Indiana representatives and both Senators Evan Bayh and Richard Lugar signed.
Gov. Mitch Daniels sent the president a request last week asking that Elkhart, Kosciusko and Marshall counties be declared a major disaster area after the EF-3 tornado destroyed 51 homes and damaged more than 300 more as well as 107 businesses.
In his letter to the president, Souder wrote "Unemployment has become a critical issue in this disaster."
He wrote that production facilities of two of Nappanee's major employers, modular home manufacturer Fairmont Homes and travel trailer manufacturer Gulfstream, were damaged and several operating units were destroyed.
"Collectively, these companies employ over 3,000 local residents," Souder wrote.
According to the letter, Franklin Coach currently is unable to operate, putting the company's 65 employees out of work.
"At this time, it is doubtful that the company will be able to reopen," Souder wrote. "Employees are presently laid off with no anticipated return date."
If the president approves the request, assistance will come in the form of housing and unemployment assistance and low-interest loans to help with rebuilding costs.
In his letter, Souder compared the Nappanee tornado to the wildfires that recently displaced thousands in southern California.
"Although the wildfires in California have reportedly affected thousands of people, the number represents a relatively small percentage of the millions of people who live in the San Diego and Los Angeles area compared to potentially 50 percent of people in Nappanee who are facing employment problems," he wrote. "Smaller communities are entitled to receive the exact same treatment and attention as larger cities."
