Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu Delivers Democratic Radio Address
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This week, Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana delivered the Democratic Radio Address.
To listen to the audio, click here.
Good Morning. I'm Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana.
A year ago this Tuesday, Hurricane Katrina rolled across the Gulf Coast, leaving behind heartbreaking destruction to the families and communities in its path - much of it caused by multiple levee breaks and catastrophic flooding. Then, a month later, a second powerful punch came from Hurricane Rita, and that enlarged the destruction - particularly in my state, where nearly 200,000 homes were destroyed.
This week, I'm traveling across Louisiana's coastline on a "Hope and Recovery tour," taking stock of where we are and where we need to go.
A year after the most powerful hurricanes in history hit America's shores, the rebuilding process is only just beginning in many communities. And as long as tens of thousands of families can't return home the work of recovery remains incomplete.
Countless neighborhoods appear as if the hurricanes were just yesterday, and they serve as harsh reminders of how our nation was so unprepared.
Unfortunately, our nation in many ways remains unprepared for major disasters, whether they be hurricanes, earthquakes, or terrorist attacks.
Too often, federal agencies are slow to move and encumbered by red tape.
FEMA, for example, is but a shell of what it once was only six years ago: stripped of authority and denied resources, it is often unresponsive, inept and badly managed.
Even the Corps of Engineers has failed us. Much of the destruction from Katrina was the direct result of flawed, inadequate levees.
Before Katrina and Rita, many of us questioned the White House decision to cut funding for levees and flood control. We were told the money was needed instead for the President's priorities - which included homeland security.
But what is homeland security without hometown safety?
A new national commitment to preparedness and protection starts with a major reinvestment in our nation's infrastructure. Levees, flood control, navigation, evacuation routes are all essential to our security and our economy. Protecting wetlands and restoring our vanishing coastline are necessary to securing our communities and energy production platforms from storm surges.
For too long, nationwide infrastructure has been ignored. Citizens may be surprised to know that as a percentage of the GDP, the federal government today spends less than 1/10th as much on civil works as it did 70 years ago.
In addition to meeting these needs, we must reform the way government does business. America needs a new direction.
It is past time that we restructure Homeland Security, FEMA, and the Army Corps of Engineers.
It is past time we equip our first responders with the absolute best communications systems available.
It is past time that we secure our ports, our waterways and our energy supply.
And it is past time we adopt the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, many of which can be applied to natural disasters as well as terrorist attacks.
And finally, it's past time we hold government officials accountable - not just for their policies - but for their follow through and their competence.
Despite past mistakes, the current administration still has an opportunity to leave a legacy of progress for this nation by keeping the promise of a safer America.
It's time for our leaders to wake up, and make a serious, new commitment to national preparedness.
Americans have always stood up to meet tough challenges. As I travel through the Louisiana coast, I am struck by the remarkable resilience and determination of our people and, for that matter, people all along the Gulf Coast. They're standing up, day in, day out - and they're meeting the toughest of all challenges. The road to recovery may be hard, but their vibrant spirit will win out.
I'm Mary Landrieu. Thank you for listening. And I certainly thank all Americans for your great support and generosity in this historic time of need and renewal.
