Sec. Chertoff & President Bush: Waive The Stafford Act & Aid Katrina Victims TODAY
Thursday, July 26, 2007
During the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner (21 April), Blanket New Orleans, Inc. Founder & CEO spoke to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and specifically asked him to encourage President Bush to waive the Stafford Act, which is a law requiring the Gulf Coast states to repay 10 percent of the federal recovery assistance they received after Hurricane Katrina.
The current administration must waive the Stafford Act just as previous Presidents did so immediately after Hurricanes Andrew and Iniki.
Waiving the Stafford Act would, for example, allow the State of Louisiana to spend more recovery assistance on advancing economic development and permanent job creation.
The Stafford Act prohibits the Gulf Coast states from developing adequate housing, equitable health care access, and quality educational resources in marginalized communities.
Secretary Chertoff coordinates FEMA’s natural disaster management and is aware that “64,000″ (New York Times Editorial - 17 April; “Broken Promises to a Broken Gulf”) homeless and displaced Louisiana residents currently live in trailers. And yet, this White House administration has not done enough to help those in need.
Hurricane Katrina was the worst natural disaster in our nation’s history. Therefore, aiding the victims of Katrina is the greatest moral challenge of our time - every American must make a sacrifice in order to help rebuild our homeland.
Here is how you can help. Simply call the White House Comment Line: 202.456.6213 and say the following:
“Please tell President Bush to waive the Stafford Act law requiring the Gulf Coast states to repay 10% of the federal recovery aid they received after Katrina.”
America can only fulfill her constitutional promise to “establish justice” for the victims of Katrina when each of us participates in our democratic process.
Don’t sit on the sidelines, Stand Up For Justice.
