Hurricane Katrina
A year ago, Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast killing more than 1,400 Americans and driving hundreds of thousands from their homes.
We must not forget the images of people stranded on rooftops, or the pandemonium at the Superdome. Remember, the suffering of those unable to escape, who didn't have a car or money to evacuate.
Katrina not only blew away lives and dreams, but it exposed our invisible poor for all the world to see. Our national consciousness was aroused and the disaster brought out the best in America, when people all over the country opened their homes and wallets to people they'd never met.
Katrina's wrath exposed two Americas. A full year after Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, it has become clear that the pace of recovery is agonizingly slow. Despite all the political promises about "doing what it takes" to get New Orleans back on its feet, much of the city still looks as if the hurricane hit yesterday. Thousands of homes remain deserted, windowless and covered with flood grime in desolate neighborhoods.
Fewer than half of the city's hospitals have reopened, and there are not nearly enough health clinics to adequately serve all the low-income families who need care. Vast areas are still littered with mangled cars and piles of debris.
New Orleans schools are turning children away because there isn't enough room for them as the educational system struggles to recover. The slow road to recovery serves as a reminder of the challenges facing underprivileged communities across this country.
The fight against poverty is ongoing for communities across this county. We should continue to demand accountability and demand our leaders do what's necessary to get storm ravaged communities back on their feet. Regrettably, assisting the underprivileged has never been a priority for congressional Republicans.
We must not forget the images of people stranded on rooftops, or the pandemonium at the Superdome. Remember, the suffering of those unable to escape, who didn't have a car or money to evacuate.
Katrina not only blew away lives and dreams, but it exposed our invisible poor for all the world to see. Our national consciousness was aroused and the disaster brought out the best in America, when people all over the country opened their homes and wallets to people they'd never met.
Katrina's wrath exposed two Americas. A full year after Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, it has become clear that the pace of recovery is agonizingly slow. Despite all the political promises about "doing what it takes" to get New Orleans back on its feet, much of the city still looks as if the hurricane hit yesterday. Thousands of homes remain deserted, windowless and covered with flood grime in desolate neighborhoods.
Fewer than half of the city's hospitals have reopened, and there are not nearly enough health clinics to adequately serve all the low-income families who need care. Vast areas are still littered with mangled cars and piles of debris.
New Orleans schools are turning children away because there isn't enough room for them as the educational system struggles to recover. The slow road to recovery serves as a reminder of the challenges facing underprivileged communities across this country.
The fight against poverty is ongoing for communities across this county. We should continue to demand accountability and demand our leaders do what's necessary to get storm ravaged communities back on their feet. Regrettably, assisting the underprivileged has never been a priority for congressional Republicans.
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