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Release Date: November 29, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact: Press Office
(202) 572-8890
Washington, DC. -- The president’s top official for Gulf Coast rebuilding, Donald E. Powell, today delivered remarks to the group “Citizen Leadership in Post-Katrina New Orleans” at the National Press Club.
The focus of the hour-long panel discussion was “Challenging the Status Quo to Build a Better New Orleans.” Powell led the discussion with a briefing on the region’s recovery, stating that $117 billion of federal money has been allocated so far to the rebuilding effort along the Gulf Coast and that mechanisms to ensure transparency are in place.
“To better distinguish between the responsibilities at all levels, we have instituted a Transparency Initiative that will make all information on where the federal funds are, available in a clear and understandable way to the general public,” stated Powell.
The federal government has worked to support progress by providing the resources necessary for local leaders to lay a solid groundwork for the future. 84% of the federal disbursement for relief, recovery and rebuilding, has been made available to state or local leadership.
“Hurricane Katrina created a window of time for the citizens for New Orleans to affect systemic changes in hurricane protection, education, ethics and the criminal justice system, said Jay Lapeyre, chairman of the New Orleans Business Council. “Given the high stakes and positive indicators of reform, we believe these changes can and will be made.”
“The reality of the situation is that the future of New Orleans lies in the hands of its local leadership. And when I talk about local leadership, I mean regular citizens, more than elected officials. Grass roots leadership,” said Powell. “There are mutual responsibilities and the federal government will continue to be active and engaged to meet our responsibilities as a supportive partner to the local leadership.”
For the last two years, the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding has been engaged in facilitating and streamlining various components of the recovery effort, providing key federal support and resources to local leaders, and reinforcing the federal government's commitment to the people of the Gulf Coast.
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This page was last reviewed/modified on November 29, 2007.
