On Katrina Anniversary, Cummings Urges "Category 5" Attention to Rebuilding Communities

On Katrina Anniversary, Cummings Urges 'Category 5' Attention to Rebuilding Communities

One year after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Maryland), urged President Bush and his colleagues to join with him in giving immediate attention to rebuilding the communities plagued by the storm.

He released the following statement regarding the anniversary:

"My prayers and best wishes are with the families who are still trying to rebuild their lives following the nation's worst natural disaster in recent history.

"The survivors have suffered tremendous loss, but they are overcoming the effects of the storm through the compassion of millions people around the world who have opened up their homes, hearts and resources.

"Nevertheless, after my recent visit to the region - the storm's impact is still severe. Thousands of families are still displaced. For many residents and businesses, access to electricity and water is still scarce. And healthcare facilities are insufficient to serve the needs of the region's population.

"Last year, in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane, I said, 'Now is the time for us, as a people, to take action - with a force equal to that of Hurricane Katrina.'

"Today, I call on President Bush and my colleagues in the Congress to use this occasion of the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina to take action with a force of a Category 5 Hurricane.

"As we continue to help our fellow citizens recover from the storm, we must do the following:

o Develop a plan to better handle another major disaster: Due to climatic trends, scientists and weather experts continue to predict an above-normal hurricane season this year. Disaster management officials have admitted that they cannot effectively evacuate all citizens in New Orleans, and other major cities, if another similar natural disaster hits.

o Eliminate waste, fraud and mismanagement that continue to plague recovery efforts: Thousands of empty trailers sit rotting away on empty lots, and expensive, no-bid contracts continue to be awarded for ineffective projects.

o Address the condition of poverty, the underlying problem behind Hurricane Katrina's human devastation: Hurricane Katrina highlighted just how desperate the condition of poverty is on our own soil. As Katrina survivors rebuild their lives, we must give top priority to helping them overcome poverty by providing them with quality education, healthcare, and job opportunities.

"Our tragic memories of Hurricane Katrina must be transformed into triumphant action that will benefit all of our citizens."

http://www.house.gov/cummings/press/06aug29a.htm