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Ulhtsqingtnn, mar 20515 
The Honorable Thomas Wheeler 
Chairman 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 12th Street SW 
Washington, DC 20554 
Dear Commissioner Wheeler, 
September 6, 2016 
We would like to draw your attention to the catastrophic flooding that occurred in South 
Louisiana this August, impacting the entire Capital Region. More than 135,000 homes and 
businesses were flooded and in some communities over 90 percent of the homes were impacted. 
The enormity of what has been deemed a 1,000-year event and the largest natural disaster since 
Hurricane Sandy cannot be overstated. With the devastation of an entire region, we recognize the 
significant piece wireless and telecommunications connectivity play in recovery efforts and 
ongoing emergency communications. 
In collaboration with other federal agency response, the Federal Communications Commission 
has a vital role to ensure that this community rebuilds, that individuals return home, and the 
community retains its economic vitality by maintaining access to communication. Efforts by the 
Louisiana Governor's Office and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to 
address the housing needs should be coupled with this agency to ensure adequate lines of 
communications are established to these temporary housing situations. The FCC has resources 
and tools available that can greatly aid in important, reliable connectivity for affected homes and 
communities recovering from the devastation. The FCC's capabilities will help ensure that first 
responders are able to receive and transmit emergency calls, that consumers can communicate 
with government and contractors as they rebuild their homes, and that businesses will be able to 
remain responsive to the fluctuating demands for specific recovery goods and services .. 
We cannot stress enough the importance of access to communication lines for this entire region 
during this incredibly challenging time and we look to your efforts in making this recovery as 
quick and effective as possible. 
Member of Congress 
Cedric Richmond 
Member of Congress 
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