SECRETARY CUOMO PRAISES PEOPLE OF GRAND FORKS FOR THEIR COURAGEOUS EFFORTS TO RECOVER FROM DEVASTATING FLOODS

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today praised the people of Grand Forks, ND, for coming together and working courageously to recover from devastating floods last year.

HUD Director of Special Actions Alvin Brown read a letter from Cuomo (attached) to Mayor Pat Owens of Grand Forks at ceremonies in Grand Forks marking the city's recovery.

Through its Community Development Block Grant program, HUD awarded more than $351 million in disaster recovery funds to communities in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. Grand Forks received more than $171 million of these funds.

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May 17, 1998

The Honorable Patrcia A. Owens
Mayor of Grand Forks
255 North Fourth Street
Grand Forks, ND 58203

Dear Mayor Owens:

I regret being unable to join with you and the people of Grand Forks today to mark your city's recovery from the terrible flooding that devastated your community. I will always remember visiting Grand Forks after the disaster hit - not just for the horrible images of destruction, but for the beautiful sight of people coming together, helping each other unselfishly, and working not just to rebuild the past but to build an even better future. The worst of times brought out the best of the American spirit in the people of Grand Forks.

The strength of the people of your city, along with the strength of flooding victims elsewhere in your region, inspired me a year ago and continues to inspire me today. The entire world was moved by the courage, determination and hard work of flood victims struggling to recover and rebuild. The actions of the people of Grand Forks will ensure that the best days of the city are not in its past, but in its future.

As a result of President Clinton's deep concern for your citizens, and his determination to speed your region's recovery, the President and the Congress approved funding to help in the massive recovery effort. I'm proud that the Department of Housing and Urban Development could play a role in this important project.

HUD has joined with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration and other federal agencies to turn our hopes for a renewed Grand Forks into reality. Through its Community Development Block Grant program, HUD awarded more than $351 million in disaster recovery funds to communities in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. Grand Forks received more than $171 million of these funds.

By working together, the people of Grand Forks have created a monument to success that exemplifies what dedicated and caring people can achieve when they work in concert in the pursuit of a worthy goal.

Let's remember the importance of this partnership and resolve to keep it strong. While much has been accomplished, there is still important work to be done - work we must do together. As Grand Forks continues to rebuild, be assured that HUD will be there as your partner.

Sincerely,

Andrew Cuomo