Jindal Invites New Interior Secretary to tour Katrina, Rita Devastation

Jindal Invites New Interior Secretary to tour Katrina, Rita Devastation

Congressman Bobby Jindal (LA-01) today formally invited new U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to visit Louisiana and tour the areas devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as well as get a firsthand look at Louisiana's vanishing coastline.

In his letter, Jindal reiterated to the Interior Secretary the importance of Jindal's offshore royalties legislation that passed the House last month that would provide a steady funding source to begin the long-term effort of restoring Louisiana's coast.

Kempthorne, the former governor of Idaho, was confirmed as the 49th Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior on May 26, 2006.

The text of the letter to Secretary Kempthorne is below.

Dear Secretary Kempthorne:

I would like to formally invite you to tour Louisiana so that you can see the devastation of our coastal areas and wetlands firsthand. This unique and beautiful landscape is vanishing at an alarming rate, and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have further accelerated the deterioration of our precious coastline. The loss of these wetlands will take billions of dollars and decades to restore.

The House of Representatives recently passed legislation I introduced that will provide Louisiana with a steady funding source to begin the long-term effort of restoring our coastline and building up our hurricane protection. This legislation now awaits action in the U.S. Senate.

I hope that you will be able to visit my home state soon to witness the challenge we have before us in restoring coastal Louisiana, and to understand the importance of my legislation, not only for Louisiana, but for the country. I am hopeful that after your visit, you will work with me to encourage the U.S. Senate to pass similar legislation.

Sincerely,

Bobby Jindal

Member of Congress

http://jindal.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=46900