[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 110 (Wednesday, September 15, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H7194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IVAN THREATENS NEW ORLEANS

  (Mr. BLUMENAUER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, barely have we recovered from Hurricane 
Hugo and we are seeing Hurricane Ivan pose the threat that has long 
been feared by those in Louisiana, that this actually might represent 
the loss of the City of New Orleans. Located 15 feet below sea level, 
there is the potential of a 30-foot wall of water putting at risk $100 
billion of infrastructure and industry and countless lives.
  We all hope that it does veer to the west as projected, but I hope 
that this brings us to a realization that now is the time for the 
Federal Government to deal with policies that will make a difference 
protecting people. Careful planning, strong building codes and balanced 
transportation are not slogans and bureaucratic hoops. These are 
simple, commonsense provisions that can save lives, protect property 
and prevent countless billions of dollars in disaster aid from the 
Federal Government.

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