March 20, 2007
Contact: Robin Winchell (202) 225-4031

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon made the following statement today in response to Governor Kathleen Blanco's announcement that she would not seek re-election: 

"Governor Blanco is a dedicated public servant and I thank her for her service to our state.  She led us through what was without question the worst period in Louisiana's history and faced challenges no governor before her had experienced.  Rita and Katrina - two of the worst natural disasters our nation has ever suffered through -- devastated a whole region of the country, causing hundreds of billions of dollars in damages and costing over 1500 people their lives.   Louisiana will take decades to recover from these tragedies, but Governor Blanco has started us on the path moving forward and for that I am grateful. 

"Hindsight is always 20/20, but I think most Louisianians would agree that Governor Blanco has always done what she believed was best for our state and its people, and has been one of Louisiana's most honest governors.  I value both her friendship and advice and wish her the best of luck in whatever comes next." 

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