Katrina Response from WI Senator

February 1, 2006

Dr. Simkowski:

Thank you for taking the time to contact me. I value thecorrespondence I get from people back home in Wisconsin, and Iwould like to take this opportunity to address your concernsregarding the rebuilding process in the Gulf Coast. As you know, when Hurricane Katrina came ashore onSunday, August 28th, its high winds and heavy rains devastatedareas along the Gulf Coast in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.In its wake, Katrina has displaced thousands of Americans,destroyed homes and businesses and left entire towns literallyunderwater.

In the wake of the Hurricane, I, like many Americans, wasdisappointed with the scope and effectiveness of the FederalEmergency Relief Administration's (FEMA)'s immediateresponse. The potential for the destruction of the complex levysystem, and especially the need to protect New Orleans, wasknown on all levels of local, state, and federal government. Failureto adequately prepare for a disaster on the level of HurricaneKatrina resulted in preventable loss of life and billions of dollars ofdamage.

In spite of these problems, and as the priority of saving thelives of those affected by Katrina continues to be addressed,FEMA is helping those affected by the storm get back on their feet.FEMA offers temporary shelter, clean drinking water, food, ice,gasoline, and power generators to help ease the burden on thosepeople whose lives have been hurt by the storm. It will certainlytake years for the people of the Gulf Coast to fully recover fromthis tragic storm, and FEMA has committed to providing servicesfor as long as is necessary.

It is now time for Administration, with the help ofCongress, to analyze FEMA\'sfailures before, during and after the Hurricane, and come up with away to repair and improve this important agency so that acatastrophe such as this may be avoided in the future. In theaftermath of the storm, we must do all we can to help. I amcommitted to working with my colleagues to ensure that thisproblem is addressed, as well as assuring sufficient funding forthese important and ongoing relief efforts.

Thank you very much for voicing your concern overHurricane Katrina. Our hearts and prayers continue to go out to allthose affected by the horrific storm. Thank you again forexpressing your views on the rebuilding process. I will certainlykeep them in mind as Congress continues to work on thisimportant issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me again if I canbe of any further assistance in this or any other matter.

Sincerely,
Herb Kohl

New Orleans Redux

This is a quick note while I am in New Orleans. The weather is great, but everything else is still a struggle. We went to Biloxi yesterday to see what we could. If you weren't familiar with it, you'd assume it was just a remote, uninhabited place. Everything is gone. There is so much that needs to be done down here and I"m not sure that these people can help themselves. There are still so many of the walking wounded. I visited a friend's flooded home yesterday. They have sort of emotionally and mentally "shut down" have not done dealt with renovations yet. It's so overwhelming that I'm sure that they don't know where to start.


I'm staying in Algiers Point with another friend. I've never really explored that neighborhood and didn't realize how lovely it is. The houses are sooooo pretty. I wish I could transplant this place to somewhere safe.