[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 134 (Tuesday, September 11, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1865]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONTINUING FUNDING FOR GULF COAST KATRINA RELIEF RECOVERY

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                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 11, 2007

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, our Nation's responsibility to the people 
of the gulf coast has not ended since Hurricane Katrina devastated the 
gulf coast region 2 years ago. Since then, volunteers, first 
responders, and officials from across the Nation have boldly confronted 
the challenges of rebuilding damaged areas by dedicating their time and 
effort to help restore these vibrant communities. However, the 
challenges the region continues to face are far from over and it is 
clear that this administration has fallen dramatically short of 
fulfilling the promises made to the people of the gulf coast.
  Two years ago, despite multiple warnings of Katrina's severity and 
the approaching devastation that would result if residents of the gulf 
coast were not evacuated, the ill-prepared Bush administration failed 
to offer the necessary support to the hundreds of thousands of people 
in the storm's path. Vulnerable populations without the economic means 
or available transportation to evacuate were left with no choice but to 
weather the storm in their homes or shelters. After the storm ended, at 
least 1,800 people lost their lives in five States; more than 1 million 
people were displaced from their homes; hundreds of thousands of homes, 
schools, and businesses were destroyed; and countless communities and 
habitats were uprooted.
  Despite the outpouring of congressional support for reconstruction 
and disaster assistance, the administration has poorly managed the 
disbursement of funds and failed to ensure that home and business 
owners receive the aid they need. Of the $94.8 billion that Congress 
appropriated in response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita, almost half 
has been spent by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on 
debris removal and temporary housing assistance. Only $3.4 billion has 
been spent on permanent infrastructure repairs, and FEMA's consistent 
underestimation of the necessary costs associated with permanent 
rebuilding has resulted in billions of dollars of aid being tied up 
after costs exceed FEMA's initial estimates. As a result of the 
inadequate management and inefficient use of funds, thousands of 
residents have not returned to their homes. According to the 
Congressional Budget Office, CBO, 107,000 gulf residents displaced by 
Katrina are still in FEMA-provided temporary housing.
  The administration could have chosen to overcome its original failure 
with a concerted commitment to rebuild the gulf coast and ensure that 
the victims of this disaster receive the assistance they need. Instead, 
over the last 2 years, they have chosen to ignore these problems and 
the needs of the gulf coast residents. The administration's continued 
indifference to the devastation caused by Katrina has prevented these 
residents from rebuilding to their communities and tackling the 
lingering poverty in the region. This administration's failures have 
been compounded with time, continuing to postpone the complete 
restoration of the gulf coast.
  Madam Speaker, today, we must recommit ourselves, at all levels of 
government, to rebuild the gulf coast in a responsible and 
comprehensive way. As we honor those who lost their lives during 
Hurricane Katrina, we cannot allow this important work to be pushed to 
side any longer.

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