Napolitano Joins Bipartisan Congressional Delegation Tour of Hurricane- Ravaged Gulf Coast

New Orleans - Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano (D-Norwalk) joined a bipartisan Congressional delegation today for a three-day tour of the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast. House Speaker Dennis Hastert and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi are leading the visit to Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama to assess progress in cleanup and rebuilding since Hurricane Katrina devastated the area.

The trip comes after groups of Gulf Coast residents lobbied members of Congress to see the area up close, in hopes they will be convinced to promptly increase federal funding. Today, the delegation stopped at a Habitat for Humanity site and the Katrina Kitchen, a faith-based food-distribution center in Mississippi. The members also visited the Cathedral School in New Orleans.

“The situation is worse than I imagined,” said Napolitano. “We have met with mayors and others who have been very disappointed in FEMA’s response. In one instance, FEMA said 100% of costs would be covered, and now they are backing down from that promise.  Additionally, they used contractors from outside of the area who charged exorbitant fees.  Not only did this greatly increase the costs, but it prevented locals from getting work.”

Napolitano says people are set up in tents or in trailers – sometimes purchased with their own money. She is urging lawmakers to consider not only the physical needs of the residents, but also the mental health needs that exist, particularly with kids who witnessed the tragedy. According to conservative estimates from leading mental health experts, as many as a half million survivors of the hurricane will likely need mental health services.
So far, about $88 billion has been allocated for hurricane relief. President Bush recently proposed another $19.8 billion that will include $4.2 billion for Louisiana housing and $1.5 billion for levee protection. Congress must approve that aid.
The Congresswoman also praised volunteers and donations from Californians to the region, as well as those from around the world.

“There is still a lot of work to do to help the Gulf Coast. The tragedy is not over,” added Napolitano.
             

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