U.S. Congressman Rush Holt (New Jersey, 12th District) speaks to members of the Stockton Office of Emergency Management before beginning a damage assessment tour of the D&R Canal (Delaware and Raritan Rivers) that was compromised by Hurricane Irene on August 28, 2011. FEMA partners with the state, local governments and elected officials to insure coordination of disaster response activities and effective communication among all stakeholders. Photo by Christopher Mardorf / FEMA.