On 5th Anniversary of Katrina, Congresswoman Richardson Praises Gulf Coast Residents for Resilience and Says Progress Will Continue

Press Release

On the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina striking the Gulf Coast, which falls on Sunday, August 29, Congresswoman Laura Richardson (CA-37) calls on all Americans to take this opportunity to reflect on this worst natural disaster in American history and to recommit to continuing to help the Gulf Coast stand tall and strong once again.

"The fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina is a time for all of us to remember the more than 1,800 individuals whose lives were lost and the millions of people whose lives were up-ended by this storm," Congresswoman Richardson said. "As we mark the fifth anniversary, the Congress must continue to work with the brave and resilient residents of the Gulf Coast to continue the process of rebuilding and recovery."

In 2007, upon assuming the majority, one of the first things the New Direction Congress did was enact a much-delayed Gulf Coast Recovery Package. This package provided assistance to help bolster levees, restore the coastline, recruit teachers, keep schools open, maintain health facilities, provide housing assistance, and assist small businesses. The Congress has also taken other critical steps to spur Gulf Coast recovery. As a result, progress has been made.

Also, since taking office in January 2009, the Obama Administration, working with Congress, has taken several steps to improve Gulf Coast recovery efforts further. For example, the Administration has:

· Cut through bureaucratic red tape and expedited gridlocked Gulf Coast projects by implementing new processes to streamline and resolve disputes.
· Made continued progress on levee improvements. To date, more than 220 miles of levees and floodwalls have been repaired and restored to pre-Katrina levels of protection.
· Made progress in moving Gulf Coast residents who had still been in temporary housing into long-term housing.
· Provided $40 million in grants to bring 944 medical professionals to New Orleans for at least three years, to address the shortage of medical professionals.
· Provided $7 million in grants to fund community health centers in New Orleans that serve more than 50,000 people.
· Provided more than $130 million in grants to renew damaged and displaced local criminal justice systems ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.

"My colleagues in Congress and I will continue to partner with the brave residents of the Gulf Coast and with the Administration to complete the work of recovery and to help restore the lives changed forever by this storm," Congresswoman Richardson concluded.

Congresswoman Richardson is a Democrat from California's 37th Congressional District. She is a member of the House Committees on Transportation & Infrastructure and Homeland Security. Her district includes Long Beach, Compton, Carson, Watts, Willowbrook and Signal Hill. She is chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response.

Source