WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- California's Congressional delegation, last night, sent a bipartisan letter to President George W. Bush thanking him for declaring a federal state of emergency and for providing aid to battle wildfires at the request of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"Providing all available federal resources to partner with state and local efforts is absolutely critical, and we greatly appreciate your immediate action," said the delegation in their letter to the President. "As conditions are constantly changing with the severity of the Santa Ana winds, and the assessment of damage continues to grow, it is imperative that the federal emergency response agencies continue to coordinate with the Governor's office and the California Office of Emergency Services (OES) to provide the necessary resources to the men and women fighting these fires on the ground as well as to those providing emergency shelter and recovery efforts."
Federal military, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Interior resources have already been mobilized to help in combating the wildfires and aiding evacuees.
"The California Congressional delegation is working together to ensure that Federal assets are quickly made available as requested," said Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista). "Evacuating residents and containing these swarming blazes is an enormous task. Every available resource to put out these fires is desperately needed."
"It's 'all-hands-on-deck' right now for the California Congressional delegation as we work to address any federal needs by the state to combat the raging fires," stated Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-Santa Clarita). "Our primary concern at this time is that local officials have the resources necessary to effectively evacuate residents and contain the fires that are destroying land and property as they advance. We will continue to do everything we can for the Governor and other officials who are coordinating statewide safety efforts, and we appreciate the President's support at this time."
"California is battling some of the worst wildfires in its history and I commend the many firefighters, policemen, first-responders, and National Guardsmen who are putting their lives on the line in this fight," stated Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Riverside). "The California Congressional delegation stands by ready to assist Governor Schwarzenegger and local county and city officials in any way we can."
"Every available federal resource will be dispatched to San Diego as soon as possible," said Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Solana Beach). Our first and foremost concern is the safety of residents who are being evacuated and to ensure that all of our evacuation centers have the supplies they need to support the influx of people."
A copy of the letter sent by all 55 members of the California Delegation is available at http://www.issa.house.gov.
SOURCE Congressman Darrell Issa
