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Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson today visited some of the hardest hit areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama in order to see first hand the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Johnson, the senior Texan on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, toured the region with a delegation of other committee members.
“It is now more clear to me than ever that we must come together as a nation to help rebuild the Gulf Coast region,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “Though we all still want clear answers as to how and why this has become one of the deadliest natural disasters in our nation’s history, we must continue to move forward and help those who call the Gulf Coast home to rebuild their lives.”
The delegation was briefed by federal, state and local transportation officials in all three states, as well as FEMA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps Engineers. Johnson was given an aerial view of some of the most devastated areas of New Orleans and the Mississippi and Alabama coasts which includes: the 17th Street Canal, London Avenue canal, Interstate I-10 twin spans bridges, the Port of Gulfport and the Bay Saint Louis Bridge.
“The damage caused by the broken levees and the massive flooding in New Orleans has sparked serious questions concerning our nation’s flood control preparedness. Today we saw first hand the problems and will begin to search for answers when it comes to developing and implementing measures to protect citizens from having to endure such a devastating event ever again,” said Congresswoman Johnson.
Congresswoman Johnson is the Ranking Democratic Member on the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee which has jurisdiction over all matters relating to the nation’s water infrastructure and waterways. Johnson plans to hold a hearing later this month to discuss issues pertaining to nationwide flood control and levee protection.
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