ICYMI: Wharton Journal Spectator: Cruz Praised for Helping Resident Get FEMA Aid
‘Senator Cruz’s office stepped in, as a senator of the people, and he helped me. I wanted to tell this story so he can help others’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Wharton Journal Spectator recently ran an article highlighting U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-Texas) Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. The article describes a Texas resident’s challenging experience obtaining a federal loan from FEMA, and touts Sen. Cruz and his state staff for providing assistance in his efforts, “I want to give Senator Cruz a five-star rating for helping a qualified member of the community. Senator Cruz’s office stepped in, as a senator of the people, and he helped me. I wanted to tell this story so he can help others.”
For additional information or assistance during the recovery and rebuilding process in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, contact Sen. Cruz’s office or utilize the federal and state resources listed here.
Read the article in its entirety here and below:
Cruz praised for helping resident get FEMA aid
Wharton Journal Spectator
By: Dicey Schauer
January 13, 2018
In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, Wharton native Bill Coleman has had much to contend with.
“It was devastating,” Coleman said of the flooding that occurred in his rental properties on Mattie Street. All seven houses in the Mattie Davis Estate were submerged in five feet of water, including Coleman’s own residence. “I’m 79 years old, and I’ve been in floods since I was 8 years old. But this was the hardest.”
As many Wharton residents did after receiving damages to their property, Coleman turned to FEMA for assistance.
“The manager for FEMA told me that I didn’t qualify, because I live in Sacramento. Yes, I live in Sacramento, but I live in Wharton too. I’ve lived in Wharton for 78 years. My family and I pay taxes. I live here. This is my home. But he said that I didn’t qualify, even though I knew we qualified.”
Coleman went back to FEMA for a second time, and was once again rejected. He wrote to the administrator, and once again nothing was done.
“I’m not one to give up,” Coleman said. “I got that from my grandmother Mattie Jackson Davis, who Mattie St. was named after. She came out of slavery and built up this community. So I tried again.”
Coleman called Senator Ted Cruz’s office in Houston, and finally received the help that he so desperately needed.
“I called up Ted Cruz’s office and gave them my information. His office said that they were going to make some calls and that I should have a check when I got back to my house in Sacramento.”
Coleman’s tenacity led to receiving his loan from FEMA.
“I want to give Senator Cruz a five-star rating for helping a qualified member of the community,” he said. “Senator Cruz’s office stepped in, as a senator of the people, and he helped me. I wanted to tell this story so he can help others.”
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