Return to the Gulf Coast
On Sunday my colleagues and I joined local officials at the Watson Memorial Teaching Ministries for a dinner and prayer service hosted by Governor Kathleen Blanco, Mayor Ray Nagin and the Louisiana Congressional Delegation. This powerful ceremony was a vivid reminder of last year’s tragic events and set the tone for our Katrina anniversary visit.
On Monday morning we were briefed on the New Orleans rebuilding and recovery status by several officials. We then embarked on an extensive tour of the City with the Louisiana National Guard and the Army Corp of Engineers. Following our tour, we traveled to Mississippi to view the destruction and recovery process there. Monday concluded with a town hall meeting in Bay St. Louis that focused on the difficulty residents experienced in collecting insurance money following the storm.
The past two days have been very intense and emotional, but I appreciate the opportunity to be here and see with my own eyes the monumental tasks that still abound. Monday in particular was an unforgettable day, mostly because of the wonderful people who took the time to meet with me.