News Release 5/23/14–
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) released the following statement today congratulating San Antonio, TX Mayor Julian Castro on his nomination as the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Pallone, who represents some of the areas hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy, invited Mayor Castro to New Jersey to witness firsthand the devastation caused by the storm and the help still needed to rebuild:

“I am pleased to offer my heartfelt congratulations for Mayor Julian Castro on his nomination to be the next HUD Secretary.  As mayor of San Antonio, Mayor Castro has shown that he understands the importance of addressing the needs of his community and his leadership and experience will be a great asset as he takes on the serious challenges facing HUD, chief among them Sandy recovery.

“As thousands of New Jerseyans continue to struggle to rebuild from the devastation brought by Superstorm Sandy, it is critical for our next HUD Secretary to have a clear understanding of the help that is still needed.  That’s why I am extending an invitation to Mayor Castro to come to New Jersey to tour Sandy affected areas and witness the severity of the storm’s destruction.  It is my belief that after seeing firsthand how the storm battered the Shore and destroyed so many homes and communities, Mayor Castro will gain a better understanding of how much work remains to be done to restore normalcy and how many families are still displaced or trying to recover.

“New Jersey still needs all the help we can get to recover from Sandy, which is why it is so important to have a partner in our next HUD Secretary who will help us cut through the red tape that has entangled so many Sandy victims and prevented them from getting back into their homes and communities.  We need to make sure that Sandy relief makes its way to Sandy victims and isn’t used for other purposes. It’s  my hope that upon visiting New Jersey Mayor Castro will be eager to offer the assistance we need to make the kind of progress Sandy victims deserve.”