Letter to Barack Obama, President of the United States - Rebuilding After Hurricane Katrina

Letter

Dear Mr. President:

It was a pleasure to visit with you last week at the Republican Conference meeting. I write today to follow up on our conversation about visiting New Orleans. The residents of Southeast Louisiana are honored that you have agreed to return and review the work that still needs to be done as we continue to rebuild our region and recover from Hurricane Katrina.

Our state plays a vital role in the national economy, and we are proud to provide many services to the country. We produce more than 80% of the nation's offshore oil and gas, and we are home to nineteen crude oil refineries. Louisiana's port system is a key component to our nation's domestic and international trade, and ranks among the top tonnage ports in the country. We are also one the largest shellfish producing states in the country. To continue making these vital contributions to our nation's economy, it is important that we resolve our remaining hurricane recovery issues.

Hurricane season begins on June 1, and our protection remains inadequate. The Corps of Engineers has over $5.7 billion in drainage, coastal restoration, and hurricane and flood protection projects in Louisiana that can start construction within a year. We must ensure that these projects do not face bureaucratic delays or setbacks because of any lack of authorization or appropriation by the federal government. Furthermore, in order to meet the Corps' June 2011 deadline for 100-year flood protection, Congress and the Administration must work together to provide the resources and support necessary to complete the remaining projects and ensure that our improved hurricane defenses are in place as quickly as possible.

I look forward to working with you and the Congress on making necessary reforms to the Stafford Act and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we experienced the inability of the Stafford Act to adequately guide the federal efforts during and in the aftermath of a major catastrophic event. These limitations in the Stafford Act are not exclusive to Louisiana's past experiences, and unfortunately many other states have experienced similar problems with FEMA that can and must be resolved as our country faces future catastrophic events.

It remains my top priority to work with Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle as well as your Administration to make certain that Southeast Louisiana is protected and prepared in the event of future disasters. I look forward to your visit and am committed to working with you and your staff to make your trip successful and productive. Please let me know how my office can be of assistance as you prepare to make this visit to the New Orleans region.

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