Americans still remember vividly the scenes from a year ago when Hurricane Katrina swept away entire communities, sent thousands of families for shelter in the Super Dome, and left hundreds of thousands more homeless and jobless. Americans throughout the land were moved to help in any way they could - sending donations and aid and volunteering to meet the needs of our fellow citizens. We responded because that's what Americans do. We care for our country, help our neighbors, and lend a hand to those in need.
However, as we all painfully know, the Administration did not live up to those values in our government's response to the crisis. Our fellow citizens were facing the worst devastation imaginable, and FEMA was nowhere to be found. The President stayed on his Texas ranch for days after the storm. Instead of joining local leaders in responding to the tragedy, he chose to fly over New Orleans for a brief look from Air Force One, well above the suffering below.
In the first days following the storm, I visited the Gulf Coast and New Orleans and saw the devastation firsthand. I saw the inky waters that wrecked New Orleans. I met with religious leaders and community leaders. Most were displaced themselves and were struggling with the needs of their own families. But they were looking to help their neighbors and friends to rebuild their lives, too.
Those leaders and thousands like them in communities throughout the Gulf have never given up. They are the heroes of this crisis. But the Bush Administration has let them down.
One year later, hundreds of thousands of families from New Orleans and the Gulf are still without jobs and unable to return to their homes.
One year later, the administration has used less than half of the $110 billion in federal aid approved by Congress to help people rebuild their lives.
One year later, families in New Orleans are still waiting for trailers to live in and for demolition and clean up crews to clear their neighborhoods so they can rebuild their homes.
One year later, half of the city's hospitals remain closed and less than half of the New Orleans public schools plan to reopen this fall.
One year later, the levees are no safer than the day Katrina hit.
New Orleans and the Gulf are a national treasure that Americans hold dear for its rich history, vibrant culture and economic vitality. We cannot allow the Bush Administration and the Republican Congress to continue its incompetent response to this terrible tragedy. We owe it not just to those directly affected by Katrina, but to our nation, to meet our commitments and get the job done.
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