Obama Remarks on the 6th Year Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

Trying to clean up after a current one, and remembering another, six years later

Six years ago today, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, upending families and ravaging communities – and no one will forget the tragic events of those days.  But what’s required of us is more than remembrance – what’s required of us is our continued efforts to make sure that New Orleans and the Gulf Coast fully recover, and to make sure that our response to such disasters is the best it can possibly be.



Katrina video, Trouble The Water, by two victims wins scores of awards.

 Over the past several years, we’ve seen what Americans are capable of when tested.  We’ve seen the grit and determination of people on the Gulf Coast coming together to rebuild their communities, brick by brick, block by block.  At the same time, we’ve made sure the federal government is doing its part to help.  We’ve cut through red tape to free up funding for recovery efforts in Louisiana and Mississippi.  We’ve taken steps to help school systems get children the tools and resources they need for a proper education.  We’ve broken through gridlock on behalf of tens of thousands of displaced families, making sure they have long-term housing solutions. And we’ll keep at it until these communities have come back stronger than before.
When it comes to disaster response, we’ve worked very seriously to enhance our preparedness efforts so that Americans are ready before disaster strikes, and to strengthen our recovery capabilities so that we’re more resilient after disaster strikes.  Over the last week, we have experienced the power of another storm, Hurricane Irene.  Before the storm made landfall, the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA worked closely with our state and local partners to preposition supplies and teams of first responders, and support their response efforts. Those response efforts are ongoing and we will continue that partnership, responding as quickly and effectively as possible, for as long as necessary, until the affected communities are back on their feet.

Today is a reminder of not just the immediate devastation that can be caused by these storms, but the long term needs of communities impacted by disasters – whether in Mississippi or Alabama, Tennessee or Missouri, North Dakota, or the east coast states impacted by Hurricane Irene. This Administration will stand by those communities until the work is done.

Our Thoughts

The previous administration, under George Bush, took tremendous heat for his lack of effort in coordinating relief efforts for those in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Many spoke out about his lackluster performance, including rap icon Kanye West.

See Bush response.

The Obama administration should be credited for having a 'boots on the ground' approach for making sure that FEMA operations were ready to assist victims along the East Coast most affected by this weekend's Hurricane Irene.
He should also be formally credited with infiltrating the bin Laden compound and ending the bin Laden reign on US terror that contributed to the 9/11 attacks ten years ago, killing thousands.

President Obama has done in his first two years in office what President Bush failed to, or couldn't do, during his two-termed, eight year reign.

That should duly be noted, and we're making note of it here.

Thank you President Obama.

p.s.  We're still waiting on your efforts to rebuild Haiti to take some type of form, however.