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NEWS RELEASE For more information contact: Lt. Governor Brad Owen at ready to assist with Rita damage OLYMPIA - Lt. Governor Brad Owen has signed an agreement with the state of Texas that puts Washington National Guard troops at the ready should they be needed to assist with disaster recovery efforts from Hurricane Rita. Owen, acting in the capacity of governor while Gov. Christine Gregoire is on a trade mission to China, has directed Major Gen. Timothy Lowenberg, adjunct general of the Washington Military Department, to do “as may be necessary” to assist the state of Texas. Hurricane Rita is currently predicted to hit Texas sometime Saturday morning, and thousands are fleeing coastal areas to escape the storm. Owen said the tonight’s action came at the request of Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who has already declared a State of Emergency in anticipation of major damage from the hurricane. “This agreement simply allows for a fast response from the Washington National Guard if needed,” said Owen. In his letter to Lowenberg authorizing the action, Owen noted that “Governor Gregoire recently activated the Washington National Guard to assist in responding to the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina in the States of Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida. Once again, the State of Washington is willing and able to assist the Gulf Coast in responding to this new hurricane emergency.” # |
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