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Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. sends a letter to President Joe Biden on Tuesday.

Perkins expressed his gratitude for President Biden’s “innovative and persistent support” of small towns in America when struck by natural disasters, especially when Biden visited Selma during the Bridge Crossing Jubilee on March 5, 2023.  Biden promised to help the Queen City recover from the January 12, 2023 tornado and he delivered. 

“Mr. President, your administration has been very supportive of the City of Selma during our on–going disaster recovery,” Perkins writes. “As mayor, I am eternally grateful for your innovative and persistent support. You and Vice President Harris have visited Selma and unlike many before, you did not come empty handed making empty promises. When we were at our lowest point, Mr. President, you authorized 100% FEMA reimbursement, and you did not stop there.

Perkins mentioned Selma has been awarded nearly $48 million for disaster recovery and federal aid that focuses on housing, infrastructure, and economic recovery due to the ask that President Biden and Vice President Harris to rethink how the federal government responds to natural disasters. 

Mayor Perkins closes the letter with “I pray for your full recovery from your recent COVID illness, and I hope that Vice President Harris be successful as she pursues continuing the innovative pilot initiatives supporting ‘small town America‘ that you have started. Once again, thank you.”