For Immediate Release
Monday, Oct. 19, 2009

Bridge City honors Houston Mayor Bill White with ceremony, plaque
Residents thank White for stepping up when federal government failed to provide trailers

BRIDGE CITY, TEXAS -- More than a year after Hurricane Ike devastated Bridge City, city officials presented Houston Mayor Bill White with a plaque in recognition of his leadership in Ike's aftermath Friday afternoon. White helped get trailers to Bridge City after the federal government failed to provide adequate relief.

Mark Carter, a Bridge City resident and Ike victim, organized the ceremony with Mayor Kirk Roccaforte, Judge Carl Thibodeaux and several other elected officials. The ceremony was held at the Bridge City Community Center, under the very pavilion where FEMA told the residents of Bridge City that the federal government would not provide trailers.

Carter introduced Mayor Roccaforte at the ceremony and said, "There were 2,000 people standing here that didn't know what to do. They were homeless... that's what Mayor Roccaforte and the County Judge were up against. They were dealing with how to resolve that issue. If they were going to restore their homes, they had to have places to live."

"All I know is that after [Mayor White met with Mayor Roccaforte] trailers started rolling in like like someone had started manufacturing them on the other side of Interstate 10. This is the story that everyone doesn't know because Mayor White didn't come here for recognition. He came in to help."

After meeting with Mayor Roccaforte, White directed a staff member to drive out to the yard where the FEMA trailers were being stored. He then called called the factory, the head of FEMA and Department of Homeland security and told them this was "unacceptable."

"People wanted trailers to work on site and often to rebuild their own houses with their own own hands. That's why we needed trailers, not to create permanent trailer cities. People in DC didn't seem to understand that."

Mayor Roccaforte presented Mayor White with a plaque.

"I'm really proud that our neighboring city, and as large as Houston is, thought about us down here, because it was really hard to get anyone larger than Bridge City to think about us at that time," Roccaforte said. "In saying that, I'd like to present a plaque to Mayor White in appreciation for his time and his efforts. Every little bit helped."

Mayor White accepted the award from Mayor Roccaforte saying, "Those of us who serve local government know what accountability means and if there is one thing that I'll take away from my stint in public service as a mayor, it's that people have a right to deserve people who will be accountable and who will expect results. Thank you very much for this plaque and this honor."

The son of San Antonio school teachers, White helped build a law firm and managed a successful business before being elected Houston's mayor in 2003. Since then, he's been re-elected twice with 86% and 91% of the vote. During White's administration, Houston led the nation's cities in job growth, adding more jobs than sixteen states combined. At the same time, he cut property taxes five years in a row and helped seniors with tax relief. White also started a special initiative that gives returning veterans the welcome they deserve with coordinated social services, reductions in red tape, and employment opportunities. After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike, Bill White mobilized an effective disaster response including first responders, businesses and churches. For the compassionate, hands-on leadership after Katrina, White received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2007. Previously, he served as Deputy Secretary of Energy of the United States.

For more information, please visit www.billwhitefortexas.com. If you'd like to be added to the press list, please email press@billwhitefortexas.com.

Contact:
Ally Smith
asmith@billwhitefortexas.com
713.659.9000