(Washington, DC)- Today, Representative Al Green commented from the United States Capitol on the State of the Union address, which President Bush delivered Tuesday evening.  Of the more than 5,000 words in the State of the Union address, only approximately 165 focused on Katrina and Katrina relief. 

Green commented specifically on the need to address the problems that still remain in the Gulf Coast region.  The Greater Houston area has grown to accommodate more than 100,000 Katrina evacuees as they seek to reconstruct their lives after the disaster. Although the vast majority of the new residents are law abiding citizens, crime has risen steadily in the months following Hurricane Katrina, with a 25 percent increase over last year.  The city has requested 6.5 million dollars from FEMA to fund an anti-crime task force.
 
“Houston’s good will should not mean we pick up the bills.  The federal government should not be allowed to pass the buck to Houston taxpayers.  The President needs to stand behind his words and not only help American citizens recover from this disaster until they are back on their feet but also help the Texas taxpayers who are currently footing the bill,” said Green.

The city of Houston was one of the first cities to accept Katrina evacuees.  When other cities stopped writing new leases for evacuees after FEMA abruptly announced that it would stop reimbursing localities for 12-month leases, Houston continued to do so.

“I am proud that Houston put the interests of the evacuees first.  Houston’s generosity and equanimity under duress should not be to the detriment of its 3 million residents.  I am pleased that FEMA has done the right thing and shown some flexibility on the one year leases for evacuees.  However, FEMA should continue to do the right thing and aid the Texas taxpayers,” said Green.

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