[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 129 (Thursday, September 23, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1740]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    OBSERVING THE 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF HURRICANE KATRINA--H. RES. 1577

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                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 23, 2010

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my full support 
for H. Res. 1577, a bill observing the fifth anniversary of the date on 
which Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. I thank Congressman 
Anh Joseph Cao for introducing this bill to give us the opportunity to 
honor and remember the 1,822 lives lost on that fateful day. We also 
salute the dedicated volunteers who assisted those affected by the 
storm and aided efforts to rebuild the affected Gulf region.
  We celebrate and commemorate the progress made by New Orleans as 
rebuilding continues and recovery moves forward. The New Orleans 
Metropolitan area has recovered more than 90 percent of its population 
and 85 percent of its jobs since the flooding occurred, moving 
unemployment in the area below the national average.
  However, we must not forget that despite these successes, the Gulf 
Coast still faces challenges that must be addressed. Thousands of 
residents of the Gulf Coast remain displaced; some are homeless. We 
will overcome these challenges if we remain strong and unified. 
President Obama appropriately has reminded us that the legacy of 
Katrina must be ``not one of neglect, but of action; not one of 
indifference, but of empathy; not of abandonment, but of a community 
working together to meet shared challenges.'' Indeed, as we observe 
this fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we are encouraged to 
persevere and remain strong.

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