FEMA GIVES OUT NEARLY $1 MILLION TO REPAIR HISTORIC ROSENBERG LIBRARY IN TEXAS

The following excerpt is from the FEMA website: Release Date: February 15, 2012 Texas -- More than $944,000 has been awarded to the state of Texas by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for repair work on the historic Rosenberg Library in Galveston in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Winds, driving rain and storm surge from Hurricane Ike severely damaged the library. The funding covers repairs to flooring, walls and other interior components, as well as emergency protective measures taken just after the hurricane to protect the building and its contents from further damage.   “We are committed to helping Texas recover from this devastating storm,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Russell. “The Rosenberg Library is a vital part of the past, present and future of Galveston. It is so important that the building and its collections be restored and maintained for the enjoyment and education of the entire community.” This award represents the latest in a series of FEMA-funded projects to date for the Rosenberg Library Association totaling $1.49 million. FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program funds represent the federal government’s share of the total project costs. FEMA awards funding for projects directly to the state of Texas; the state then forwards the grant to the eligible applicant. The purpose of FEMA’s Public Assistance program is to provide assistance to eligible state, tribal and local governments, and certain types of private nonprofit organizations so that communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies declared. FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.