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Skriven 2006-08-28 23:31:40 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0608282) for Mon, 2006 Aug 28
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Fact Sheet: A New Mississippi: Rebuilding in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina
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For Immediate Release
August 28, 2006

Fact Sheet: A New Mississippi: Rebuilding in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina


ÿÿÿÿÿ In Focus: Hurricane Katrina

Today, President Bush Visited Biloxi, Mississippi, To Discuss The Lessons
Our Nation Has Learned Since Hurricane Katrina, The Work Done Over The Past
Year, And The Work That Lies Ahead. A new Mississippi is emerging from
Katrina's destruction, evidenced by the new partnership between local
communities, the State government, and the Federal government; the
reconstruction of Mississippi's homes and businesses; the support
Mississippi is providing for students; and the armies of compassion that
have risen up in every Gulf Coast community. However, the one-year
anniversary is not the finish line, and many challenges still remain.
  þ Hurricane Katrina Was One Of The Most Devastating Hurricanes Ever To
    Hit American Soil And Was The Most Costly Natural Disaster In American
    History. In the days that followed, the people of Mississippi worked
    together to save lives.
  þ Nearly One Year Ago, President Bush Committed Our Nation To Helping A
    New Mississippi Emerge From What Hurricane Katrina Destroyed, And He Is
    Fulfilling This Promise. The Administration worked with Congress to
    pass more than $110 billion in funding for the Gulf Coast. In addition,
    the President directed the Administration to work with State and local
    leaders to implement the people of Mississippi's visions for their
    neighborhoods, towns, and cities. The President also put Don Powell in
    charge of coordinating Federal support for local rebuilding, and Mr.
    Powell is working closely with Governor Haley Barbour and the
    Governor's Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding, and Renewal. This is the
    President's 11th visit to Mississippi since Hurricane Katrina.
  þ At The President's Direction, The Administration Conducted A
    Comprehensive Study That Looked At The Federal Response To Last Year's
    Hurricanes And Recommended Practical Reforms. On February 23, 2006, the
    White House Homeland Security Council released the "Lessons Learned"
    report on the Federal response to Hurricane Katrina. The Report
    identifies deficiencies in Federal, State, and local governments'
    response and lays the groundwork for better preparation for and
    response to future natural disasters.
  þ Some Of The Hardest Work Is Still Ahead In Rebuilding Mississippi, And
    President Bush Has Committed His Administration To Stand Behind The
    State Until The Job Is Done. Recovery still requires clearing the wet
    debris from the Mississippi Sound, ensuring Federal money reaches the
    individuals who need it most to rebuild their homes, and making sure
    Mississippi's Gulf Coast schools, libraries, and other public
    infrastructure are rebuilt better than before.

Building A New Partnership Between Local Communities, The State, And The
Federal Government

The New Mississippi Is Seen In The New Partnership Between Local, State,
And Federal Officials. The President believes the people of Mississippi
know the needs of their communities better than people in Washington. Their
vision is the future of the Gulf Coast, and the Federal government will do
its part to help them achieve that vision. Over the past 12 months, this
partnership has yielded results:
  þ The Federal Government Has Worked With State And Local Officials To
    Clear More Than 98 Percent Of The Dry Debris From Mississippi. The
    Federal government kept its promise and paid more than $1 billion to
    fund these efforts.
  þ The Federal Government Is Fulfilling Its Commitment To Help Rebuild
    Critical Infrastructure On The Mississippi Gulf Coast. Six months after
    Hurricane Katrina, 91 percent of Mississippi's damaged highways had
    already been repaired. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is
    spending $2 billion to repair and rebuild highways and bridges in
    Louisiana and Mississippi, and FEMA has funded $5.6 billion to repair
    and replace damaged public infrastructure such as roads and bridges,
    schools, water systems, public buildings, and public utilities, as well
    as to fund emergency protective measures and debris removal.
  þ Local, State, And Federal Officials Have Come Together To Prepare
    Mississippi For Future Hurricanes And Disasters. The Department of
    Homeland Security (DHS) has reviewed emergency plans for all 50 States
    and America's 75 largest cities. DHS is now working collaboratively
    with States and urban areas to improve plans, support training and
    exercise initiatives, and translate the findings and conclusions into
    specific, corrective actions. DHS has reviewed Mississippi's emergency
    plan and found that the State is prepared.

Reconstructing Mississippi's Homes And Businesses

The New Mississippi Is Seen In The Construction Of New Homes And The Return
Of Local Businesses. In Mississippi, more than $3 billion in housing grants
is beginning to flow into the hands of homeowners and renters to help them
repair, rebuild, and relocate. The rebuilding effort will require help from
everyone - government agencies, insurance companies, volunteers, and
others.
  þ Governor Haley Barbour's "Governor's Commission On Recovery,
    Rebuilding, And Renewal" Was An Important Step To Bringing Together
    Citizens To Develop A Vision And Plan For Rebuilding. The Commission
    brought together more than 500 volunteers such as local leaders,
    architects, and urban planners, held more than 50 public forums in 33
    counties, and heard from thousands of citizens on how to rebuild
    Mississippi. As a result, Mississippi's recovery efforts began with
    concrete recommendations on how to improve infrastructure, revamp
    zoning laws and building codes, and increase local cooperation.
  þ To Encourage Faster Growth And Development In The Gulf Coast, President
    Bush Signed Legislation That Creates Gulf Opportunity Zones (GO Zones)
    In The Areas Hardest Hit By The Storms. GO Zones give entrepreneurs and
    small-business owners special tax incentives to invest in these areas,
    create jobs, and help jumpstart the local economy.
  þ Since Katrina, The Federal Government Has Also Provided About $500
    Million In Small Business Loans To Give Mississippi's Entrepreneurs The
    Capital They Need To Launch Their Businesses. The future of the Gulf
    Coast depends on good jobs and a growing economy, and the Federal
    government is doing its part to create an environment where
    Mississippi's families, entrepreneurs, and workers can build better
    lives.

Providing Support For Mississippi's Students

The New Mississippi Is Seen In The Commitment To Schools That Put Children
First. Education is the gateway to opportunity in life and the future of
Mississippi and our Nation. The President is committed to building an
education system that gives every child the tools to succeed.
  þ The Administration Has Worked With Congress To Provide Almost $480
    Million In Relief To Help Mississippi Gulf Coast Schools Recover.
    Mississippi will use this money to help repair and rebuild elementary
    and secondary schools; and to assist local schools with the costs of
    educating K-12 evacuees. Today, every Mississippi school district that
    closed after Hurricane Katrina has reopened.
  þ The Laura Bush Foundation For America's Libraries, In Partnership With
    The Private Sector, Has Awarded More Than $1 Million In Grants To 20
    Schools To Help Them Rebuild Their Library Collections By Purchasing
    New Books. These awards are doing more than jumpstarting the school
    reconstruction process, they are helping children find hope and comfort
    in reading. Mrs. Bush has visited the Gulf Coast 13 times.
  þ In Mississippi, The Laura Bush Foundation For America's Libraries Gulf
    Coast School Library Recovery Initiative Has Given $310,000 In Grants
    To Six Schools.

Mobilizing America's Armies Of Compassion

The New Mississippi Is Seen In The Response Of Faith-Based And Community
Organizations. For example, volunteers at Hands-On Gulf Coast are cleaning
up wreckage, removing mold, repairing roofs, providing food and clothing,
and tutoring students.

Over The Last Year, America's Private Citizens And Public Companies Have
Donated Generously To Our Gulf Coast Communities. This giving has been used
by America's armies of compassion to provide much-needed services to
hurricane victims.

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