[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 126 (Wednesday, August 5, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S6375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HURRICANE KATRINA

 Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, 10 years ago, Hurricane Katrina 
came ashore on the Mississippi gulf coast with devastating force, 
inflicting billions of dollars in property and personal damages. It was 
amazing that more were not killed.
  The tragic loss of life and horrible property destruction shocked us 
all. Our recovery has required enormous dedication and determination, 
and thousands of Mississippians rose to that challenge.
  In the days, months, and years after the storm, Mississippians 
pitched in to help neighbors and strangers alike. The dedication and 
sacrifice of the Coast Guard, the National Guard and other first 
responders saved lives and helped enable the large-scale rebuilding 
that would follow. The resilience and hard work of the people, as well 
as the outpouring of church and volunteer workers from across the State 
and Nation, made recovery possible.
  Over the past decade, State, local, and Federal elected officials 
have also aggressively promoted and assisted in the gulf coast's 
recovery. But our recovery is not yet complete.
  While the serious problems exposed by the Katrina recovery effort 
have been used to improve our national response to emergencies and 
natural disasters, work remains to be done to ensure a full recovery in 
Mississippi and along the gulf coast. Unsustainable insurance practices 
and overbearing Federal regulations continue to hamper recovery and 
economic development efforts.
  Those challenges, however, cannot diminish the pride I have in the 
people of Mississippi for exemplifying the strength, vision, and 
resilience necessary to ensure the cultural and economic vitality of 
our State.
  This August, we commemorate the decade since Hurricane Katrina 
claimed lives and left indelible marks on our State. Mr. President, 10 
years after Katrina, I remain confident that we will continue to work 
together to rebuild Mississippi and to advocate for commonsense 
policies and intelligent investments that will ensure the continued 
vitality of the Gulf Coast.

                          ____________________