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Washington, DC – Below is Congressman William J. Jefferson’s response to President George W. Bush’s 2008 State of the Union.
“I am pleased that the President mentioned the recovery of New Orleans and has pledged to have the North American Summit in the city this year. But I would have liked more detail and specifics as to what his commitment to the Gulf Coast means. His mere mention of a promise is not enough to give our citizens the assurance they need that the commitment of our federal government matches their day to day commitment to our recovery.
The President spoke of our economic crisis in a few paragraphs in the span of a twelve page speech. Apart from our recovery no issue is more important to the people of Louisiana and the American people at large than forging a credible plan for the recovery of our economy. Foreclosures, job loss, low wages, gas prices and lack of access to health care are critical challenges to the average family in our district and across the country.
Additionally, I am concerned that some of the economic stimulus proposals are the same as proposals previously included in the Gulf Coast Go-Zone legislation and may have the effect of drawing investment away from the Go-Zone to other areas of our country. While we must spur our economy, it is important that we do not water down the competitive edge allowed the Gulf Coast to recover.
Over all, there must be a renewed sense of dedication to our domestic agenda. We continue to support our troops engaged in combat abroad, but when we devote seven pages of a twelve page speech to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and a few paragraphs to the most important domestic concerns facing our country and region, we are destined to continuously neglect the needs of our citizens here at home.”
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