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Many Rita victims still wait for relief
After complaining about a sluggish federal response, Port Arthur received 121 small generators Tuesday afternoon. Ortiz planned to give them to emergency personnel first and then to merchants who provide high-demand products such as gasoline, water and food. "We have been living like cavemen, sleeping in cars, doing bodily functions outside," said John Owens, emergency management coordinator for Port Arthur. "And meanwhile we're the victims, and we have families here." In a Port Arthur neighborhood not far from a grocery store that reeked of rotten food, three FEMA trailers delivered ice, ready-to-eat meals and water. "Without these trucks here, I don't think we would have made it," said Lee Smith, 50. "I've never left before. I thought it wouldn't be too bad. The good Lord spared us." The White House said complete federal funding for debris removal, emergency protective measures and direct federal assistance was extended through Oct. 27. Texas Republican Rep. Kevin Brady (news, bio, voting record), whose district includes some of the counties hit by Rita, said he will be developing legislation to provide relief, especially for towns that took in evacuees from Hurricane Katrina. "While we think much of our help can come through traditional disaster relief programs, we know there will be expenses above and beyond that," Brady said. "We don't want those smaller communities to have sacrificed and not come out whole."
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