Congressional Black Caucus
"The Conscience of Congress since 1969"
www.congressionalblackcaucus.net

(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson (D-MS) will deliver the weekly CBC "Message to America" radio address this Saturday, December 10, 2005.  Representative Thompson will emphasize the need to immediately begin work to restore and rebuild the Gulf Coast region destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

The CBC "Message to America" is distributed nationwide to the American Urban Radio Network's (AURN) affiliate stations.

            WHO:        U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson (D-MS)
            WHEN:      Saturday, December 10, 2005; 12:06 p.m. EST
            WHERE:   American Urban Radio Network Affiliate Stations

Representative Thompson is expected to deliver the following remarks:

“Hello, this is Congressman Bennie G. Thompson from the 2nd Congressional District of Mississippi, speaking to you today on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus.

“Today’s message is ‘staying the course.’  Just as the Bush Administration has emphasized staying the course when protecting our nation abroad, the Congressional Black Caucus would like to emphasize ‘staying the course’ when protecting citizens here in the United States. The Administration’s so-called ‘staying the course’ message needs to be amended to include Katrina Recovery and Relief as well.

“The Congressional Black Caucus recently introduced H.R. 4197, the Hurricane Katrina Recovery, Reclamation, Restoration, Reconstruction and Reunion Act of 2005.  This bill is designed to provide for the recovery of the Gulf Coast region and for the reunion of families devastated by the storm.

“As it stands, the United States is the richest country in the world.  If we can afford to destroy hospitals, schools, police and fire stations in Iraq, then surely we can afford to rebuild the Gulf Coast region.

“This Administration has made moves to cut Head Start, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Medicaid, Food Stamps and other programs that have been the only consistent programs for many displaced citizens during their time of need.  These actions put the Gulf region at an even greater disadvantage since we not only have to rebuild and recover from the storms, but we also must now rebuild and recover from the budget cuts.  

“We are all too aware of the blunders and missteps of this Administration.  This is the Administration who showed up too early for Iraq and too late for Katrina. 

“The Administration has been plagued with misplaced priorities and insensitivity to the needs of the Gulf region.  There must be a new commitment made, and that commitment is: Our nation will ‘stay the course’ on recovery, reclamation, restoration, reconstruction and reunion in the Gulf region and the CBC’s bill does just that.

“On behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus, I am Bennie G. Thompson.  Thank you for your support and as always, keep the faith.”
 

(####)