Hurricane Gustav's Impact on Louisiana

Floor Speech

HURRICANE GUSTAV'S IMPACT ON LOUISIANA -- (House of Representatives - September 16, 2008)

(Mr. CAZAYOUX asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Mr. CAZAYOUX. Mr. Speaker, this past Labor Day, Hurricane Gustav made landfall in Cocodrie, Louisiana. It packed sustained winds of up to 110 miles per hour and tore across the State, uprooting trees and damaging property along its way.

Many across the country watched as the levees of New Orleans held. Miraculously and thankfully, they held. As the levees held, the media left and did not see the vast destruction left behind in the Baton Rouge area. It was the worst storm to hit the Baton Rouge area in its history. Louisiana has many people to thank for their efforts in helping in this time of great need, the first responders, its parish and local officials, the National Guardsmen and women, and the States who sent their men and women to Louisiana to help in this time of need.

Since then, Hurricane Ike has hit and has reinforced the notion that natural disasters and the damages they inflict cannot be avoided. We can only hope to respond as best as possible to minimize that aftereffects. It is our job as Congressmen and women to aid our fellow citizens in this time of greatest need.

Over the next 2 weeks, I urge my colleagues to ensure that the victims of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike are not left behind and that we continue to improve the Federal Government's, and particularly FEMA's, response to natural disasters.

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