For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
WASHINGTON – Last night, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke traveled to Houston, Texas to discuss and observe ongoing recovery and relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.
The Acting Secretary met with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Houston to discuss coordination of federal hurricane relief efforts. She was joined in the meeting by representatives from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Afterwards, Acting Secretary Duke and Mayor Turner met with Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. John Carter (R-TX), Chairman of the House Appropriation Committee’s Homeland Security Subcommittee, Rep. John Culberson (R-TX), Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-TX), Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX), Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX), Texas A&M University Chancellor John Sharp, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett.
This morning, Acting Secretary Duke traveled to Rockport, Texas with Governor Abbott to speak with community leaders and hurricane survivors. Country music legend George Strait, Rockport Mayor Charles J. Wax, Land Commissioner Bush, and Chancellor Sharp also attended the community event.
Thousands of federal workers are supporting preparedness, response, and recovery, including more than 3,200 FEMA staff, and more than 13,000 National Guard soldiers and airmen from 22 states, in conducting rescue, evacuation, security and support operations.
The federal government continues to support Hurricane Harvey response and recovery efforts underway in Texas and Louisiana along with those impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
The Department of Homeland Security’s top priority is to protect the American people from harm – this includes from natural disasters. Registering online, at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, is the quickest way for those affected to register for federal aid.
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