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Washington, DC – U.S. Representative William Jefferson (D-LA) applauded President George W. Bush who announced today he was extending deadline the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s 100 percent payments for debris removal in Orleans, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Washington, and Plaquemines Parishes. FEMA was scheduled to end the payments on Saturday. The new deadline is December 31, 2006.
“The President was right to recognize the need for continued coverage of debris removal because there is still so much work to be done. Demolition is just beginning in some areas, meaning the amount of debris and costs of removal will continue to rise. Our cities and parishes could not afford the additional burden those costs would have left.
“The New Orleans Times Picayune newspaper, in an editorial published today, cited the need for the extension and noted how the remaining debris is a continued reminder of the everyday struggle of recovery. If our localities were required to pick up even 10 percent of that cost, it would not only hurt our recovering economies but also severely slow our recovery.
“The President is the only person who had the power to make sure our recovery pace stayed on track and today he acted appropriately and timely to keep us going. Thank you, Mr. President.” |
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