LRA Statement

LRA Chairman Issues Statement On House Congressional Delegation's
Commitment to Gulf Coast Recovery

NEW ORLEANS (August 15, 2007) - Louisiana Recovery Authority Chairman Norman C. Francis issued the following statement today regarding the US House of Representatives Congressional Delegation's visit to the Gulf Coast, which concluded in New Orleans yesterday:

"I applaud Speaker Pelosi, Majority Whip Clyburn and the other House leaders that took the time to leave their home districts during recess to endure the hot Louisiana sun in August and inquire about the status of our recovery. Their trip helped to remind the American people that nearly two years after the worst natural disaster in our history, we are still fighting to recover.

"But their trip was not just symbolic. Congressman Clyburn's statement about the Road Home program 'We are going to try to close what we projected to be a $3-billion to $4-billion gap in that program. We have made that commitment,' gives new hope to the people of Louisiana.

"From the beginning! , our mission has been to rebuild South Louisiana in the aftermath of two back-to-back storms and the catastrophic flooding caused by the failure of our federal levee systems. To do this, we must ensure that every homeowner who is eligible receives their full grant award from the Road Home program as quickly as possible.

"With the commitment of key leaders in Congress to this goal and to addressing the needs of renters, small businesses and the health care system, we can have hope and confidence that Louisiana's recovery has not been forgotten. For this I am truly grateful."