August 9, 2007
Contact: Robin Winchell (202) 225-4031

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA) today announced he will assist House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn in leading a bipartisan Congressional delegation of approximately 15 House members, including the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, to New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish just prior to the two-year anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  The trip, which runs from August 12-14 and includes a visit to Mississippi, will allow Members to return to a region many visited a year ago and assess the impact of the legislation Congress has passed in the first few months of the Democratic majority. 

"In the past year, south Louisiana has made a lot of progress towards a full recovery from Katrina and Rita, but we still have a long road ahead of us," Rep. Melancon said.  "Whip Clyburn and I believe that by visiting the Gulf Coast and meeting the people who are working daily to help Louisiana rebuild, the Members of Congress will better understand where the needs still exist, two years after the storms.  I thank my colleagues in the House, especially the Democratic leadership, for renewing their commitment to stand with the people of south Louisiana and be a full partner in our recovery."

Whip Clyburn said, "Last August, we came to the Gulf Coast region on the one-year anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to assess the recovery. We set to work meeting with local officials, touring the region and determining the needs around infrastructure, education, health care, public safety and housing.  We made a commitment to do better to help the Gulf Cost."

"We took our work from that trip and applied it immediately, and in six short months of a new majority we delivered on our promises," continued Clyburn.  "Next week we must assess the progress in the Gulf Coast region, and establish a partnership for the future."

The three-day trip will focus on the progress made and outstanding needs in the areas of education, housing, health care and infrastructure.  In Louisiana, the lawmakers will hold a policy conference with local and state officials, visit the Lower 9th Ward, tour the St. Bernard Health Center, visit a New Orleans school, tour the New Orleans levee system, and visit the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans.  In Mississippi, Members will tour the consolidated Pass Christian school system, visit a family living in a formaldehyde-laced FEMA trailer, take a windshield tour of Pass Christian and hold a town hall meeting in Bay St. Louis on insurance reform.