By Black Star News
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
As the nation reflects on the 20 anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, several members of Congress, including Congressman Troy Carter and Congressman Cleo Fields, who both represent Louisiana, released statements regarding the 2005 storm.
Congressman Fields talked about the Trump Administration’s “undoing critical FEMA reforms put in place after Hurricane Katrina.”
Fields released the following statement:
“To hear of the erosion of FEMA’s post-Katrina reforms that Louisianans fought so hard for is deeply troubling. After Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana learned the hard way what happens when disaster response systems fail. Those changes were put in place to make sure FEMA had qualified leadership, adequate staffing, and the independence it needed to protect the American People when disaster strikes. They were hard-won reforms, paid for in lives lost and communities broken.
“With reports that those safeguards are being undone, I fear we are drifting backward. That is cause for great concern. I wrote to President Trump, Secretary Noem, and the former acting director, Mr. Hamilton months ago to make it clear that FEMA must remain strong, capable, and ready to respond. People’s safety depends on it, and we cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past. I urge this Administration to do the right thing, and that’s to restore those reforms, protect FEMA’s mission, and put the safety of the American people first.”
Congressman Carter talked about Hurricane Katrina within the context of the current climate crisis:
“Hurricane Katrina, and all the storms we have experienced since then, taught us that natural disasters know no boundaries, and neither should our nation’s disaster preparedness or recovery systems. As the climate crisis makes extreme weather events more frequent and intense, we need to work together to save lives and strengthen our systems. This bipartisan caucus is committed to advocating for effective preparedness and recovery measures and programs that best serve the American people and don’t leave anyone behind. As we mark twenty years since the most devastating storm in our nation’s history, this work is more critical now than it ever has been.”
Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz talked about his work with Rep. Carter and about emergency management preparedness:
“As the first emergency manager elected to Congress, I’ve seen firsthand what works in our emergency management system and what doesn’t. This system needs reform, but it also needs the tools to be fully prepared when disaster strikes. Now more than ever, it’s critical that Congress has a strong, bipartisan voice advocating for disaster preparedness and recovery, which is why I teamed up with Congressman Carter to cofound this bipartisan caucus. I look forward to continuing our work pushing commonsense reforms and ensuring that lifesaving resources are there when Florida communities need them most.”
Florida Congressman Carlos Giménez, a former fire chief, talked about the importance of rapid resources during a hurricane:
“The Congressional Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Caucus is vital to developing common-sense policies that keep disaster-prone communities safe. As a firefighter paramedic, Fire Chief, and Mayor, I have witnessed firsthand the critical importance of rapid, reliable resources during hurricane season. I look forward to working with my colleagues to protect families in Miami, the Florida Keys, and communities across our nation.”
Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse talked about the increasing numbers of natural disasters:
“As Americans face increasing numbers of natural disasters — wildfires, floods, hurricanes — we must do all we can to prepare our communities to respond and recover in the wake of tragedy. That’s why I’m honored to continue the vital work of the bipartisan Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Caucus in the 119th Congress.”
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