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NOW Joins Call for Emergency Gulf Coast Renewal Plan
Five months after Hurricane Katrina revealed the complete inability of the Bush administration to respond to domestic disaster, I am proud, as a New Orleanian myself, to stand with the People's Hurricane Relief Fund, the Hip Hop Caucus, Rainbow/PUSH, UP for Democracy, and others in demanding that the Administration and its friends in Congress stop stalling, stop giving out no-bid contracts to people who can't do the job, stop punishing the survivors because FEMA still hasn't managed to process their applications -- and start cooperating in the restoration of our ravaged Gulf Coast and its people.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Lisa Bennett, 202-628-8669, ext. 123; cell 202-641-1906
NOW Joins Call for Emergency Gulf Coast Renewal Plan
Statement of NOW President Kim Gandy
As we gathered today on Capitol Hill to strategize sorely-needed Katrina assistance legislation, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is trying again to evict thousands of Katrina survivors from their temporary housing. These survivors are struggling to find jobs, clothing, food for their families -- and now the federal government wants to take away the roof over their heads...again. While agencies bicker, the survivors are falling off of the nation's radar screen. It's long overdue for them to be a central part of the process.
While Bush and his fellow Republicans congratulate themselves for passing a budget that slashes programs to help the poor, the costs of this partly-Bush-made disaster have surpassed $150 billion. Unfortunately, actual survivors have seen very little of that money, and even now Bush and his pals are planning more tax cuts for their wealthy friends, which will again increase the federal deficit and make it even more difficult to find the funding to help these survivors continue to rebuild their lives.
As allies in the Gulf Coast Renewal Campaign, we will be calling for a rebuilding plan that focuses on survivors, not developers; temporary and long-term housing assistance; jobs and training; family reunification; funding for quality public education; health care (especially mental health care and reproductive health care); recognition that Katrina assistance is not welfare; preference for local businesses and labor in rebuilding contracts; and much more. This past-due plan will require support from compassionate leaders and progressive activists if it is to succeed.
This country must do whatever it takes to alleviate the misery and uncertainty of Katrina survivors and help them rebuild their lives. Their government failed them, and many lost their lives. For others, their lives will never be the same. There have been enough questions; now it's time for answers.
Contact: Lisa Bennett, 202-628-8669, ext. 123; cell 202-641-1906
NOW Joins Call for Emergency Gulf Coast Renewal Plan
Statement of NOW President Kim Gandy
As we gathered today on Capitol Hill to strategize sorely-needed Katrina assistance legislation, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is trying again to evict thousands of Katrina survivors from their temporary housing. These survivors are struggling to find jobs, clothing, food for their families -- and now the federal government wants to take away the roof over their heads...again. While agencies bicker, the survivors are falling off of the nation's radar screen. It's long overdue for them to be a central part of the process.
While Bush and his fellow Republicans congratulate themselves for passing a budget that slashes programs to help the poor, the costs of this partly-Bush-made disaster have surpassed $150 billion. Unfortunately, actual survivors have seen very little of that money, and even now Bush and his pals are planning more tax cuts for their wealthy friends, which will again increase the federal deficit and make it even more difficult to find the funding to help these survivors continue to rebuild their lives.
As allies in the Gulf Coast Renewal Campaign, we will be calling for a rebuilding plan that focuses on survivors, not developers; temporary and long-term housing assistance; jobs and training; family reunification; funding for quality public education; health care (especially mental health care and reproductive health care); recognition that Katrina assistance is not welfare; preference for local businesses and labor in rebuilding contracts; and much more. This past-due plan will require support from compassionate leaders and progressive activists if it is to succeed.
This country must do whatever it takes to alleviate the misery and uncertainty of Katrina survivors and help them rebuild their lives. Their government failed them, and many lost their lives. For others, their lives will never be the same. There have been enough questions; now it's time for answers.
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