Bonnen appointed to hurricane committee

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Bonnen appointed to hurricane committee

Posted Monday, October 6, 2008

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State Rep. Dennis Bonnen points out several damaged homes to Speaker Tom Craddick during a tour of Surfside on September 25.

Speaker Tom Craddick has appointed State Representative Dennis Bonnen (District 25) to the House Select Committee on Hurricane Ike Storm Devastation to the Texas Gulf Coast. The committee will be charged with reviewing the state and local government response to the hurricane and identifying issues for the legislature to address to prepare for future natural disasters and their aftermath.

"Having seen the damage of Hurricane Ike firsthand, I was awed by the size and scope of this disaster," Speaker Craddick said. "The issues facing our coastal communities are complex and will require not just increased resources, but a complete review of how our state handles natural disasters."

"I am honored to be chosen by Speaker Tom Craddick to be a member of this select committee," Bonnen said. "He recently joined me in meeting with local leaders followed by a tour of the devastation in our county. Clearly it had a great impact on him and I appreciate his quick response in creating this committee so that we can immediately begin finding ways to help our coastal communities recover."

"I was on the ground working hand and hand with our emergency response teams shortly after the storm, so I have a clear understanding of the areas where we need to improve. My role on this select committee provides Brazoria County with a direct seat at the table where response and recovery decisions will be made," Bonnen said.

The committee will be looking at a wide range of issues, including ways to reduce and better plan for widespread power outages, address beach erosion and its impact on property owners, streamline financial assistance procedures for displaced citizens, and offer relief to school districts.

The Speaker selected Representative Sylvester Turner of Houston as chairman of the committee and Representative John Davis, also of Houston, as vice chair. In all there are 12 State Representatives on the committee and one public member.

"I look forward to presenting to the committee the fine example of Brazoria County officials and citizens working together in innovative ways to overcome a disaster of this magnitude," said Bonnen.