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Subject: Post-staffing hurricane fact sheet
Date: Wed, 8 Mar 2006 09:56:46 -0500
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From: "Sherzer, David" <David_Sherzer@who.eop.gov>
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	"Langdon, James C." <James_C._Langdon@who.eop.gov>,
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	"Hughes, Taylor A." <Taylor_A._Hughes@who.eop.gov>
Cc: "Kavanaugh, Brett M." <Brett_M._Kavanaugh@who.eop.gov>,
	"Burck, Bill" <William_A._Burck@who.eop.gov>,
	"Sherzer, David" <David_Sherzer@who.eop.gov>,
	"Pounder, Joseph S." <Joseph_S._Pounder@who.eop.gov>,
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	"Burkhart, Shannon B." <Shannon_B._Burkhart@who.eop.gov>,
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Attached is the draft of the hurricane fact sheet that is currently with =
Staff Secretary for approval.  There were several changes in staffing, =
so we wanted to give you all a chance to see the post-staffing version.  =
We plan to approve this soon, so please let us know as soon as possible =
if you have any concerns.
=20
Thank you.
David
=20
=20
=20
Gulf Coast Update: Hurricane Relief, Recovery And Rebuilding Continues=20

=20

President And Mrs. Bush Today Traveled To Louisiana And Mississippi To =
Assess Continuing Relief, Recovery And Rebuilding Efforts =E2=80=93 And =
To Reaffirm The Administration's Commitment To The Gulf Coast.  The =
devastation of Hurricane Katrina has required an unprecedented response =
by Federal, State, and local governments, as well as the private sector. =
 Relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts are ongoing =E2=80=93 and =
will continue until this vital region is up and running again. The =
President today discussed Federal, State and local efforts to strengthen =
the Gulf Coast's hurricane defenses, clear debris, and meet long-term =
housing needs for evacuees.

=20

=C3=98      Strengthening Hurricane Defenses. In order for the Crescent =
City to rebuild, and for citizens and businesses to feel confident in =
returning, New Orleans needs a modern-day, reliable flood and storm =
protection system.  President Bush and his Administration have proposed =
additional safety and security measures to restore all damaged levees =
and floodwalls.  By June 1, the beginning of the next hurricane season, =
all 169 miles of damaged levees and floodwalls will have been restored =
to their design height; correcting any identified design and =
construction flaws; and accounting for compaction and subsidence.

=C3=98      Clearing Debris. Roughly 80 percent of non-demolition =
debris, totaling more than 80 million cubic yards, has been removed in =
the region. To ensure debris removal continues and the process of =
rebuilding can proceed, the Federal government is covering 100 percent =
of the cost of this cleanup through June 30, whether the task is =
performed by contractors hired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or by =
local officials, and 90 percent of the cost thereafter.=20

=C3=98      Restoring Gulf Coast School Libraries.  Mrs. Laura Bush is =
leading the effort to refurbish Gulf Coast school libraries.  Through =
the Laura Bush Foundation's Gulf Coast School Library Recovery =
Initiative, grants are available for books for school libraries in the =
Gulf Coast region affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. =20

=20

The Region's Reconstruction And Economic Recovery Are Top Priorities For =
The Administration.  More than 16,000 federal personnel have been =
deployed to help state and local officials along the Gulf Coast recover. =
 Some $88 billion in Federal aid has been made available for relief, =
recovery and rebuilding, with another $20 billion requested to support =
ongoing recovery efforts of the Department of Housing and Urban =
Development (HUD), Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Emergency Management =
Agency (FEMA), Small Business Administration (SBA), and other Federal =
government agencies.

=20

Much Progress Has Been Made In The Six Months Since Hurricane Katrina =
Made Landfall.  President Bush continues to deliver on the Federal =
commitment to "do what it takes" to help residents of the Gulf Coast =
rebuild their lives in the disaster's wake.  Below are tangible results =
Federal agencies have accomplished in helping the region on the road to =
a complete recovery, and providing an opportunity for a stronger and =
better future.

=20


Strengthening The Gulf Coast's Hurricane Defenses


=20

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is on track to restore all damaged =
levees/floodwalls to authorized design levels by June 1, 2006 =E2=80=93 =
before the start of the next hurricane season.  The President is =
focusing on the safety and security of the citizens of the Gulf Coast =
and has committed to providing the resources necessary for them to =
return and rebuild.  About fifty percent (169 of 350 miles) of the =
levees and floodwalls and 48 percent (34 of 71) of the pump stations =
were damaged by Hurricane Katrina.  The Corps is working on the =
following levee improvements:

=C3=98      Repairing and building the protection system to the =
authorized design heights ($2.1 billion):

*	By June 1, 2006, the Corps is scheduled to restore 169 miles of =
damaged levees and floodwalls to their authorized design height and to =
install temporary closures on three drainage canals to protect from =
storm surge.

=C2=B7        By September 2007, the Corps is scheduled to complete the =
repair of non-federal levees, achieve authorized design height, strength =
and stability for the entire system and correct any identified design =
and construction flaws.  Fifty-nine contracts have been awarded in the =
Greater New Orleans area, with the vast majority (91 percent) going to =
local or Louisiana firms; 27 contracts or 52 percent are to Hub Zone, =
small and disadvantaged/minority contractors.

=C3=98      Additional proposed improvements pending before Congress =
include ($1.46 billion):=20

=C2=B7        Permanent flood gates and pumping stations to the outfalls =
of interior drainage canals (17th Avenue, Orleans Avenue, London =
Avenue).=20

=C2=B7        Selective armoring of levees at most critical areas =
throughout the entire hurricane protection system.

=C2=B7        Storm proofing interior pumping stations.=20

=C2=B7        Improved protection along the Inner Harbor Navigation =
Canal (IHNC) either through upgrades to floodgates or through =
installation of closure structures.

=C2=B7        Incorporation of non-federal levees in Plaquemines Parish =
into the federal system=20

=C2=B7        Initiation of wetlands restoration projects to provide =
both hurricane protection and environmental restoration.

=20

Clearing Debris So Rebuilding Can Proceed

=20

Clean-Up And Other Essential Services

=20

=C3=98      Roughly 80 percent of the debris caused by the storms has =
been cleared in Mississippi and 54 percent has been cleared in =
Louisiana. More than 80 million cubic yards of debris have been removed =
from the Coast =E2=80=93 an amount equal to the debris removed from the =
September 11 attacks and Hurricane Andrew combined.=20

=C3=98      To ensure debris removal continues and rebuilding proceeds, =
the Federal government is covering 100 percent of the cost of this =
cleanup through June 30, whether the task is performed by contractors =
hired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or local officials, and 90 =
percent of the cost thereafter.=20

=C3=98      To sustain progress, the Environmental Protection Agency =
(EPA) has worked with State environmental officials to develop efficient =
protocols for handling hazardous debris like asbestos safely; and they =
have helped ensure that landfill facilities are operating in compliance =
with applicable requirements.

=C3=98      The debris that remains is largely on private property; =
either in back and side yards, or inside houses that need to be gutted =
or demolished.  To remove this debris, the Federal government needs the =
help of local leaders and the homeowners themselves:

*	Hundreds of thousands of homeowners remain displaced, some hundreds or =
thousands of miles away.  The Federal government is working with local =
officials to expand temporary housing closer to where the rebuilding =
must occur, and providing financial assistance to homeowners to allow =
them to begin rebuilding; both directly through FEMA, and as part of =
recovery plans developed by the States.
*	As homeowners return and local plans coalesce, the painful but =
necessary work of demolition can begin in the most vulnerable =
neighborhoods.

=20

Rebuilding The Economy, Protecting Workers

=20

Stimulating Business

=20

=C3=98      Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding Donald Powell =
and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez will lead a delegation of =
business leaders to Louisiana and Mississippi on a "Gulf Coast Business =
Investment Mission" in May to highlight investment opportunities, =
including Federal GO Zone tax incentives as part of an effort to promote =
economic growth and job creation in the region following hurricanes =
Katrina and Rita.

=C3=98      The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) created the Hurricane =
Contracting Information Center (HCIC) to provide a central point of =
reference for businesses, including those that are minority or women =
owned, to register for and become aware of Federal contracting =
opportunities.  The Center has received over 8,200 calls and over =
216,000 web visits.  =20

*	DOC's Minority Business Development Agency has conducted direct =
outreach to over 2,000 minority local businesses, assisted over 250 =
displaced minority firms and counseled approximately 640 businesses on =
the Gulf coast procurement opportunities.=20

=C3=98      DOC is helping the affected region carry out recovery =
activities in three broad areas: assisting businesses in rebuilding; =
providing technical assistance and capacity building; and assisting with =
the development of a long-term recovery strategy.  DOC has organized =
conferences, business counseling services, workshops and information =
seminars to help retain and expand economic growth, as well as to assist =
adversely affected small and medium sized businesses.=20

=20

Low Cost Loans For Businesses And Homeowners

=20

=C3=98      The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $5.8 =
billion in disaster loans to over 82,000 homeowners, renters and =
businesses in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas and Florida.  Of =
those, SBA has approved over $4.3 million in disaster loans to over =
66,300 homeowners and renters in the region and over 15,800 business =
disaster loans for over $1.4 million. =20

=C3=98      In addition, Congress passed and the President signed =
legislation granting an additional $4.9 billion in disaster lending =
authority to allow SBA to continue providing disaster loans to those =
affected by the hurricanes. =20

*	SBA disaster loans are intended primarily for long-term rebuilding and =
reconstruction of damaged homes and businesses (FEMA financial =
assistance is primarily in the form of grants). =20
*	SBA has conducted damage inspections on more than 277,000 properties =
and received over 1.2 million calls into its Customer Service Center.
*	SBA has processed over 98 percent of the applications for economic =
injury disaster loans. Over 265,000 loan applications have been =
processed; disbursements have been made on over 36 percent of the =
approved loans.

=C3=98      The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has provided =
approximately $22 million in loans and grants to assist rural =
businesses.

=C3=98      DOC has supported small business bridge loans through the =
Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program, by redirecting $2.3 million in loan =
funds to the Gulf Region.

=20

Granting Businesses, Farmers, Investors And Other Taxpayers Relief

=20

=C3=98      The President signed into law the Gulf Opportunity (GO) Zone =
Act on December 21, 2005 to reinvigorate the Gulf Coast economy. The Act =
increases business expensing, accelerates bonus depreciation, provides =
expensing for demolition and cleanup expenses, and net operating loss =
carry-backs.=20

=C2=B7        The Act authorized an additional $1 billion in New Markets =
Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation authority to be provided to Community =
Development Entities (CDEs) with a significant mission of recovery and =
redevelopment in the GO Zone.=20

=C2=B7        The Act creates additional tax-exempt private activity =
bond authority to help rebuild housing and infrastructure in the GO =
Zone.   Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama are provided the authority to =
issue a special class of private activity bonds, called GO Zone Bonds.  =
Bond authority is approximately $7.9 billion for Louisiana, $4.8 billion =
for Mississippi and $2.1 billion for Alabama. Proceeds from these bonds =
can be used to pay for projects including acquisition, construction, and =
renovation of nonresidential real property, qualified low-income =
residential rental housing, single-family residential housing, and =
public utility property (e.g., gas, water, electric and =
telecommunication lines) located in the GO Zone.

=C2=B7        The Act expands access to low-income housing in the GO =
Zone.  Under current law, States receive allocations of low-income =
housing tax credits based on population. This provision allows States to =
allocate additional housing credit amounts in years 2006 to 2008 of $18 =
per person in the GO Zone. This will provide additional credits of =
approximately $70 million for Louisiana, $37 million for Mississippi and =
$17 million for Alabama.

=C3=98      USDA is making available $1.2 billion in emergency =
assistance for farmers and ranchers.

=20

Developing The Workforce

=20

=C3=98      On March 6, the President signed S. 1777 extending Disaster =
Unemployment Benefits for nearly 400,000 individuals that lost their =
jobs as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. =20

=C3=98      Over 37,000 Americans are enrolled in programs or services =
such as temporary jobs or vocational training through the U.S. =
Department of Labor (DOL)'s National Emergency Grants (NEG) program.

*	DOL has awarded $210 million in National Emergency grants across 11 =
states.  These grants provide states with the resources to address the =
employment and training needs of over 60,000 individuals.

=C3=98      Helping workers access high-growth jobs in the affected =
region, DOL awarded $12 million in grants to train workers for jobs and =
careers in critical industries such as construction, energy, health =
care, transportation, and safety/security. =20

=C3=98      DOL developed partnerships with the community college =
systems in LA and MS helping the states establish and operate two =
construction career centers aimed at training local workers for jobs in =
the construction industry.   =20

=C3=98      Career counselors were deployed to One-Stop Career Centers =
near evacuee centers and localities with high concentrations of evacuees =
(LA, MS, TX, FL, GA, KY, OK, AR, TN, MO, and VA).  ($15 million)

=C3=98      DOL formed a partnership in Mississippi between One-Stop =
Career Centers and Manpower to encourage evacuees to return home to =
work.  "Coming Home Portfolios" are created and include job training, =
services and job opportunities.  DOL deployed Disability Program =
Navigators to assist individuals with disabilities who were affected ($5 =
million).

=C3=98      Beginning in May, the Regional Workforce Training Program =
will work to train and deploy 20,000 new skilled workers from the =
affected region.  The Workforce Training Group will include =
representatives from union, contractors, the Business Roundtable, and =
others.

=20

Rebuilding Lives And Communities

=20

Providing Immediate Recovery And Relief

=20

=C3=98      Rescue and response needs.

=C2=B7        44 states and the District of Columbia received =
Presidential emergency declarations following Hurricane Katrina. This =
total is the most declarations made for a single disaster in FEMA =
history.=20

=C2=B7        The Coast Guard rescued 33,000 people =E2=80=93 six times =
higher than the number of rescues in all of 2004.=20

=C2=B7        The FEMA coordinated the rescue of more than 6,500 people =
and for the first time deployed all 28 of its Urban Search and Rescue =
teams for a single event.=20

=C3=98      The combined rescues performed by these two agencies total =
almost 40,000 =E2=80=93 more than seven times the number of people =
rescued during the 2004 Florida hurricanes.

=C3=98      The Department Of Homeland Security's Customs and Border =
Protection (CBP) conducted response operations that resulted in 1,428 =
missions that included 672 law enforcement, 128 search and rescue, 78 =
recovery, 444 hurricane relief, and 97 other logistical support =
missions.  CBP also provided food, water and other supplies to thousands =
of people impacted by the hurricanes and donated over $20 million in =
seized goods and humanitarian aid.

=C2=B7        The Department of Defense (DoD) was instrumental in saving =
lives, restoring order, and beginning the long, challenging process of =
recovery; at the height of the DoD response, some 72,000 men and women =
in uniform assisted Federal, State, and local authorities in recovery =
efforts, and approximately 15,000 residents of the Gulf coast were =
rescued and 80,000 others evacuated.=20

=C3=98      DoD delivered critical emergency supplies =E2=80=93 more =
than 30 million meals and some 10,000 truckloads of ice and water.

=C3=98      Military forces provided significant medical assistance, =
including 10,000 medical evacuations by ground and air, medical =
treatment of more than 5,000 patients, and provision of more than 3,000 =
beds in field hospitals, installations, and aboard U.S. Navy ships.=20

=C3=98      At the request of FEMA, DoD supplied 13 mortuary teams to =
support local authorities in the systematic search, recovery, and =
disposition of the deceased.=20

=C3=98      To assist in disease prevention, DoD aircraft flew mosquito =
abatement aerial spraying missions covering more than two million acres.

=C2=B7        Within the first six days of the response, the Federal =
government delivered more than 28 million pounds of ice, 20 million =
pounds of commodities (such as fruits, juices, vegetables, meats and =
grains), 8.5 million ready-to-eat meals, and 4 million gallons of water. =
This exceeds the combined totals for the entire recovery operation =
during Hurricane Andrew.

=C3=98      Through USDA's various feeding programs and in partnership =
with many faith-based and community organizations, over 20 million =
pounds of food were delivered and served to displaced residents, =
including almost 2 million pounds of baby food.=20

=C3=98      Nearly 1.9 million households were signed up to receive =
close to $900 million in USDA food stamps.=20

=20

=C3=98      Shelter and other immediate needs.=20

*	FEMA has committed $6.9 billion to date to provide shelter and direct =
cash assistance to hurricane victims in the Gulf Coast, an amount more =
than double the combined total of Individuals and Households Assistance =
Program (IHP) dollars given for six major U.S. natural disasters =
occurring since 1992.=20
*	More than 700,000 households have received apartment rental assistance =
under FEMA's IHP to pay for apartments.  More than $1.7 billion has been =
distributed in financial rental assistance as part of FEMA's =
comprehensive housing program.
*	FEMA paid more than $560 million to provide hotel and motel rooms to =
tens of thousands of families affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita =
who were in need of short-term sheltering.  Once at a peak of 85,000 =
rooms billed to FEMA on one night, approximately 7,000 rooms remained in =
the program nationwide as of March 1, 2006. =20
*	Over 16,400 HUD-assisted or homeless families are receiving up to 18 =
months of housing assistance through the Katrina Disaster Housing =
Assistance Program (KDHAP) and the Disaster Voucher Program (DVP), =
administered by HUD.
*	Over 10,000 displaced residents were placed in housing across the =
country primarily near the hurricane region by the USDA, working with =
HUD.
*	More than $17 billion has been paid to National Flood Insurance =
Program policyholders. Nearly 90 percent of all claims filed have been =
paid.

=C2=B7        More than 1.8 million housing inspections have been =
completed in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.   =20

*	FEMA has approved $585 million in Community Disaster Loans for =
municipalities in Louisiana and Mississippi to help local authorities =
maintain essential services such as law enforcement, schools, and fire =
services  =20

=20

Meeting Longer-Term Housing Needs

=20

=C3=98      Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson =
recently announced the allocation of $11.5 billion in disaster funding =
among five Gulf Coast states impacted by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and =
Wilma.  The emergency funding is provided through HUD's Community =
Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program to specifically assist Louisiana, =
Mississippi, Florida, Alabama and Texas in their long-term recovery =
efforts. Reflecting the unique vulnerability of New Orleans and =
surrounding areas, the President has asked for another $4.2 billion in =
CDBG funds to buy out or elevate homes in the most flood-prone areas and =
support other protective actions.  .=20

=C3=98      HUD has placed a moratorium on foreclosures of FHA-insured =
homes until June 30, 2006.  The extended foreclosure relief will provide =
mortgagees additional time to confirm the mortgagor's intention and =
ability to repair the home, help them resume regular mortgage payments =
and retain their homeownership.

=C3=98      HUD's  =
<http://www.hud.gov/news/release.cfm?content=3Dpr05-164.cfm> Mortgage =
Assistance Initiative is assisting homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages =
who are unable to maintain their payment obligations due to =
hurricane-related property damage by advancing their mortgage payments =
for up to 12 months.  This unprecedented mortgage relief is expected to =
help several thousand families remain homeowners while concentrating on =
repairing their homes, finding jobs, and putting the pieces of their =
lives back together.

=C3=98      HUD is issuing waivers to streamline existing grant programs =
so grantees can reprogram existing HUD funds for disaster relief.  The =
City of Houston, which received thousands of evacuees from New Orleans, =
was the first to ask for a waiver of CDBG's 15 percent cap on public =
services.  This request was granted for the Gulf Coast states, providing =
communities more flexibility.

=C3=98      HUD launched the Universities Rebuilding America Partnership =
(URAP) program to empower college and university students to help =
rebuild the impacted communities.  In partnership with the Corporation =
for National and Community Service, HUD announced these two grant =
programs totaling $5 million.=20

=C3=98      To ensure access to discrimination-free affordable housing =
free from discrimination, HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal =
Opportunity deployed staff to assist evacuees reporting housing =
discrimination. =20

=C3=98      USDA is assisting rural families with funds to rebuild and =
repair their damaged homes.  Approximately $20 million is being made =
available for grants, $210 million for direct loans, and $1.3 billion =
for guaranteed loans.

=20

Repairing And Strengthening Infrastructure

=20

Restoring Transportation

=20

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)'s funding of emergency =
repairs has restored basic transportation services =20

=C3=98      Fifty percent of Louisiana's highways and 100 percent of =
Mississippi highways have been repaired.  Projects include:=20

*	Temporary repairs completed to I-10 bridges at Slidell and Pascagoula. =
=20
*	Restoration of US90 eastbound between Biloxi and Bay St. Louis; =
westbound restoration is underway.=20

=C3=98      Long-term repairs have also been initiated.  Projects =
include:

*	Replacement of US90 bridges at Bay St. Louis and between Biloxi and =
Ocean Springs expected to be completed in late 2007.

=C2=B7        The I-10 bridge replacement at Slidell is expected to be =
completed in 2009.

=C3=98      A significant portion of Louisiana and Mississippi's transit =
services are operational, with 26 bus routes and two streetcar routes =
restored in New Orleans.  Emergency services have been established to =
provide mobility for displaced persons sheltered in Baton Rouge, =
Gulfport/Biloxi, and Pearl, Stone and George Counties in Mississippi.=20

=C3=98      Most ports are back to full or nearly full operation, =
according to a survey by the Association of Port Authorities: =20

*	The Port of New Orleans recently announced that it had reached 100 =
percent of its pre-Katrina activity, with 70 percent of the Port's =
facilities operational and 85 percent of the workforce returned.  The =
Port of New Orleans is  again welcoming cruise ships to dock offshore =
and their passengers to come ashore to tour the city.
*	The worst-hit port, Gulfport, has 50 percent of pre-Katrina ship =
calls.

=20

Restoring Power, Gas, Oil And Water

=20

Daily gas production in the Gulf of Mexico has been restored to 85 =
percent and daily oil production has been restored to 76 percent of =
pre-Katrina levels.=20

=C3=98      The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) calmed petroleum =
markets/gas prices and helped restore power after the storm by:=20

*	Releasing crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and =
permitting foreign-flagged ships to deliver petroleum products.
*	Helping restore power to hundreds of thousands of Texans by issuing =
two emergency orders to permit ERCOT power companies to provide service =
into the Entergy service territory.
*	Conducting a detailed technical meeting with Entergy and several other =
utilities to discuss incorporating new technologies into electricity =
system reconstruction efforts in the Southeast, particularly New =
Orleans.
*	Enabling the Collins, Mississippi, Tank Farm to be re-energized, thus =
enabling total resumption of operations by the Colonial Pipeline.
*	Providing the Geographical Information Service coordinates to FEMA so =
that supplies could be delivered to Entergy workers restoring power in =
Louisiana.
*	Coordinating delivery of fuel to Alabama company manufacturing utility =
poles, which were critical in the restoration process.
*	Facilitating an agreement among power companies and the Corps of =
Engineers to restore power to the Lake Livingston (TX) Pumping Station =
which restored water to Houston and to local refineries.

=C3=98      The Departments of Transportation and Homeland Security =
helped maintain power, gas and oil distribution by:

*	Permitting foreign-flagged ships to deliver petroleum products to =
areas badly in need.
*	Helping to find and install generators, and providing regulatory =
waivers, to keep pipelines operating so that people throughout the =
region and in the East had gasoline.

*	Ensuring emergency supplies were delivered to stricken areas by =
granting waivers capping trucker hours=20

=C3=98      The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is monitoring =
energy production in the Gulf of Mexico and repairing stream gauges to =
restore flood warning throughout the region.  =20

=C2=B7        DOI's Minerals Management Service has taken a number of =
actions to restore energy production from the Outer Continental Shelf.  =
These measures included expediting review of requests for temporary =
barging of oil or flaring of small amounts of natural gas; expediting =
the approval process for pipeline repairs and waiving cost-recovery fees =
until January 2006.

=C3=98      USDA is working to address long-term utilities needs in the =
rural Gulf Coast by:

*	Repairing water and waste facilities ($45 million).
*	Working closely with FEMA and state USDA staff on repairing water and =
waste utility damage.
*	Providing technical assistance for critical emergency response =
assistance to water and waste facilities.
*	Providing funding to extend out electric co-operatives principal loan =
repayments for five years.

=20


Providing Social Services, Health Care And Education


=20


Social Services


=20

=C3=98      To respond to the human services and mental health needs of =
individuals affected by the hurricane, the U.S. Department of Health and =
Human Services (HHS) has awarded $550 million in Social Service Block =
Grants.  The funding may also be used to provide health care to =
hurricane affected individuals lacking health insurance or adequate =
access to care, and to health care safety net providers restore and =
resume their operations.  Funding was provided in varying amounts to all =
50 States, with the majority going to Louisiana (40 percent), =
Mississippi (23 percent), Texas (16 percent), and Florida (10 percent).

=20

Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF)

=20

=C3=98      HHS's Administration for Children and Families TANF program =
is helping over 30,000 families  by providing short=E2=80=91term, =
non-recurrent cash benefits to families who traveled to another State =
from the disaster designated States.  States also received additional =
funding for the TANF program to provide assistance and work =
opportunities to needy families ($69 million for loan forgiveness and =
$25 million in contingency funds for State Welfare Programs). =20

=20

Health Care Delivery And Hospitals

=20

=C3=98      To provide health care for those in need, $2 billion was =
provided to States for care through the Medicaid program (Hurricane =
Katrina Waivers). States receiving Medicaid waivers include Alabama, =
Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, =
Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, =
Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Puerto =
Rico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, =
Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming.

=C3=98      Within a week after Hurricane Katrina forced the closure of =
the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in New =
Orleans, mobile health-care clinics from across the VA system were =
deployed to the surrounding communities of Hammond, LaPlace and Slidell, =
Louisiana. =20

=C2=B7        By December 2005, a floor of the VA nursing home adjacent =
to the New Orleans Medical Center was opened as a primary care clinic.  =
Another floor is slated to open with limited specialty care in late =
March.  The mobile clinics in the three surrounding communities are =
being replaced with permanent community-based outpatient clinics =
(CBOCs).

=C3=98      Over 11,000 non-veterans received humanitarian care in VA =
clinics as a result of the quick deployment of CBOCs.

=C3=98      From October 2005 to January 2006, new and existing =
outpatient clinics in New Orleans, LaPlace, Hammond, Slidell and other =
locations in the New Orleans area treated approximately two-thirds of =
the number of veteran patients treated during the same period last =
fiscal year =E2=80=93 which exceeded expectations.

=C3=98      The VA is accelerating construction at the Biloxi campus to =
move all clinical and administrative functions from Gulfport  to Biloxi. =
They are also considering establishing a temporary modular clinic on the =
Gulfport Campus to meet space needs. =20

=C3=98      The VA has entered into an agreement with Louisiana State =
University to explore opportunities for constructing a shared medical =
center in New Orleans.

=20

Education

=20

Child Development and School Readiness (Head Start)

=C3=98      The Head Start program, which provides comprehensive child =
development and school-readiness programs for low-income children from =
birth to age 5, as well as pregnant women and their families, received =
$90 million to cover the costs of replacing or repairing facilities that =
were damaged or destroyed by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita that are not =
covered by insurance or FEMA.  The funds also covered the costs of =
serving approximately 4,800 evacuee children from January 1, 2006 to the =
end of each grantee's current school year (i.e., late May or early =
June). =20

=20

K-12

Progress has been made on the 1,100 schools (public and private) that =
were closed following the storms, leaving 372,000 students initially =
unable to attend school.

=C3=98      In Mississippi, 93 percent of schools have fully or =
partially reopened.=20

=C3=98      In Louisiana, 79 percent of schools closed have reopened.=20

=C2=B7        In New Orleans, all 183 public and private schools were =
initially closed after the hurricanes. =20

=C3=98      Now, 17 public schools (including 14 that now operate as =
charter schools) have reopened. About 14 percent of the pre-Katrina =
enrollment, or 8,303 students, are now attending public schools in the =
city.

=C3=98      In the private sector, 37 of 54 schools operated by the =
Archdiocese of New Orleans have now reopened in the city and its =
environs. =20

=C3=98      Total public and private enrollment in the city equals about =
30 percent of the pre-hurricane level.

=C3=98      The U.S. Department of Education succeeded in obtaining a =
$1.6 billion special appropriation from Congress to meet =
hurricane-related needs, including $750 million to help public and =
private schools along the Gulf Coast reopen, and $645 million to =
reimburse public and private schools that enrolled students displaced by =
Katrina and Rita.

=C2=B7        Approximately $500 million was delivered (3/2/06) under =
the Immediate Aid to Restart School Operations (Restart Aid) Program to =
help reopen and restart damaged schools in the states most affected by =
the storms.  This is on top of the $253 million in aid delivered to the =
region in January.=20

=C2=B7        Approximately $5 million was delivered (3/2/06) under the =
Assistance for Homeless Youths (Homeless Aid) Program, to help state =
education agencies address the needs of students displaced by the =
storms.=20

=C2=B7        The first installment of $120 million was delivered =
(3/2/06) under the Temporary Emergency Impact Aid for Displaced Students =
(Impact Aid) Program to assist local education agencies in 49 states and =
the District of Columbia in paying for the cost of educating displaced =
Gulf Coast students who were enrolled in public and non-public schools.

=C3=98      The Department of Education provided more than $20 million =
through a special charter school grant to Louisiana to assist in opening =
or reopening charter schools in order to serve children affected by the =
hurricanes.  This has helped public schools in New Orleans expedite =
their reopening process by reopening as charter schools.  =20

=C3=98      The Department of Education launched a website, Hurricane =
Help for Schools ( <http://www.hurricanehelpforschools.gov/> =
www.hurricanehelpforschools.gov), to serve as a nationwide clearinghouse =
resource for schools to post their needs so Americans can help meet =
them.  To date, more than 650 matches between needs and contributions =
have been made through the site.

=20

Higher Education=20

Postsecondary institutions on the Gulf Coast are also recovering:

=C3=98      24 of 30 institutions of higher education in Louisiana have =
now reopened.

=C2=B7        This figure includes 10 of the 15 that were closed in New =
Orleans.

=C2=B7        Two-thirds of postsecondary students in New Orleans have =
returned to class.

=C3=98      Both of Mississippi's closed postsecondary institutions have =
reopened.

=C3=98      Postsecondary institutions in Mississippi and Louisiana =
received $200 million from the Department of Education to help reopen =
and to compensate colleges that took in displaced students. In addition, =
the Department is distributing over $18 million of unused Federal =
campus-based student aid funds to severely affected colleges.

=C3=98      HUD is providing over $5 million to 16 universities through =
an innovative new program that draws on the expertise of these centers =
for higher learning to help rebuild Gulf Coast communities.  The funding =
is provided through HUD's new Universities Rebuilding America =
Partnership (URAP) initiative.

=20

Restoring The Gulf Coast Environment =20

=20

=C3=98      The EPA is overseeing the cleanup of a one-million-gallon =
oil spill, which impacted over 1,800 homes.  EPA has also collected over =
2.4 million hazardous waste containers, over 300,000 electronic goods, =
and assisted in recycling over 310,000 large appliances.

=C3=98      EPA tracked operational status of water/wastewater systems, =
provided technical assistance for emergency repairs and system =
assessments for FEMA funding, and supplied mobile labs for testing water =
samples.  Over 4,000 drinking water systems serving 15 million people =
were affected.  All but 88 of these systems have returned to safe =
operations. =20

=C3=98      The agency has also analyzed and communicated the results =
for over 1,800 environmental samples of floodwater and sediment, over =
5,200 environmental air samples and seven proposed temporary housing =
sites identified by FEMA. =20

=C3=98      Working closely with the State of Louisiana, EPA has six =
months that it rotates between 15 monitoring sites throughout the state. =
=20

=20

Reconstituting The Justice System And Prosecuting Fraud

=20

=C3=98      The Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force was created to =
coordinate law enforcement at the Federal, State, and local levels with =
other entities involved in the relief and reconstruction effort.  The =
Task Force includes the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Criminal Division, =
United States Attorneys' Offices, the Federal Bureau of Investigation =
(FBI), the Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, the =
Federal Trade Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, =
Federal Inspectors General, and various representatives of State and =
local law enforcement. There have been over 201 cases resulting from the =
Taskforce's activities charging 241 defendants in 24 judicial districts. =
  =20

=C3=98      To date, the ICE Federal Protective Service (FPS) Law =
Enforcement Officers have conducted approximately 80 criminal =
investigations, made over 120 arrests and responded to thousands of =
calls for service. These cases include verbal threats, brandishing of =
weapons, possession of firearms and narcotics, and theft of government =
property and fraud.=20

=C3=98      FPS officers have provided more than 124,000 Patrol hours in =
support of recovery efforts in Louisiana.  Six months after the =
hurricane, FPS still provides security and law enforcement support to =
approximately 74 facilities with more than 300 contract guards and 65 =
posts throughout Louisiana.  FPS has 76 Officers, Inspectors, =
Dispatchers and Special Agents deployed to Mississippi and Louisiana.

=C3=98      The DOJ's Bureau of Justice Assistance issued 33 =
supplemental Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (BJA) to state and local =
agencies in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi to support immediate law =
enforcement needs resulting from Hurricane Katrina.  DOJ also took =
additional steps to ensure that grantee access to funds was not =
disrupted by issuing 6-month, no-cost extensions for all grants in =
Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

=C3=98      The FBI obtained the authority to provide States access to =
the FBI's criminal history database for the purpose of conducting =
background checks on any volunteer, relief worker, or evacuee associated =
with Hurricane Katrina who would have access to children.

=C3=98      DOJ helped the Louisiana Department of Corrections move =
approximately 4,000 inmates from New Orleans.

=20

People Everywhere Have Made An Unprecedented Commitment To The Gulf =
Coast=20

=20

In his Address to the Nation from New Orleans' Jackson Square on =
September 15, 2005, the President called on all Americans to help those =
affected by Hurricane Katrina.=20

=C3=98      Private individuals, faith-based and community groups, and =
businesses met the challenge and have contributed more than $3 billion =
in support of faith-based and community organizations and disaster =
relief agencies. =20

=C3=98      USA Freedom Corps created a nationwide information =
clearinghouse allowing individuals, businesses, groups, and families to =
connect with volunteer opportunities to help families in the Gulf Coast. =
=20

*	There are currently more than 2 million volunteer opportunities listed =
on the site =E2=80=93 with approximately 20,000 in Louisiana, 16,000 in =
Mississippi, and over 24,000 in Alabama.
*	The Katrina Resource Center was set up by USA Freedom Corps and the =
Corporation for National and Community Service.  More than 350 groups, =
representing over 14,000 volunteers, who contacted the Center were =
either matched with potential relief projects or provided additional =
information and referrals.
*	Americans interested in helping with Gulf Coast recovery or to find a =
volunteer opportunity can visit www.volunteer.gov =
<http://www.volunteer.gov/> .

=C3=98      The American Red Cross recently announced financial =
donations and pledges would cover the $2.116 billion estimated cost for =
its response to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.  The generous =
financial support from around the world allowed more than 225,000 Red =
Cross disaster relief workers=E2=80=9495 percent of them =
volunteers=E2=80=94to ensure that survivors had a safe place to stay, =
food and comfort and the means to provide essential items for themselves =
and their families. Survivors received counseling, basic healthcare and =
family connecting services. This was accomplished on an unprecedented =
scale. The Red Cross provided:=20

*	More than 3.4 million overnight stays in nearly 1,200 Red Cross =
shelters.
*	More than 34 million meals and 30 million snacks.=20
*	Emergency financial assistance to more than 1.4 million =
families=E2=80=94more than 4 million people.

=C3=98      Former Presidents Bush and Clinton have led a private =
fundraising effort that has already received pledges of more than $100 =
million to aid the Gulf Coast's recovery.

=C3=98      The U.S. State Department received $126 million in cash =
donations for Katrina relief and recovery from foreign governments, =
international organizations, and private sources in the weeks and months =
following Katrina's landfall=20

*	State transferred $66 million to FEMA in early October to finance a =
case management program to assess the needs of 100,000 households =
affected by Katrina. =20
*	State is finalizing arrangements to transfer the balance of =
international donations =E2=80=93 $60.4 million =E2=80=93 to the U.S. =
Department of Education to implement reconstruction programs for schools =
and universities in the area damaged by Katrina, including:  =20

=C3=98      Up to $25 million will be used to restore K-12 schools and =
libraries. =20

=C3=98      The balance =E2=80=93 $35 million =E2=80=93 will go to =
higher education institutions, particularly Historically Black Colleges =
and Universities. =20

=C3=98      State expects to transfer these funds to the Department of =
Education by March 10 and the Department expects to have the funds to =
the schools as rapidly as possible.

=C3=98      The Corporation for National and Community Service, working =
in cooperation with the Red Cross, FEMA, and local and state =
authorities, has helped more than 13,000 national service volunteers =
contribute to the hurricane relief and recovery effort across the =
country. Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America and special =
volunteer program volunteers have established and operated shelters, =
provided meals and social services to evacuees, assisted with =
communications, coordinated the warehousing and distribution of donated =
goods, answered phones, cleared debris, provided information on housing =
and other resources, organized children's activities, raised funds, and =
managed tens of thousands of additional community volunteers, among =
other activities.

=C3=98      For the first time in its history, the Peace Corps worked =
within the borders of the United States and served as Applicant Services =
Specialists in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.  In =
their assignments, volunteers performed a variety of tasks, including =
processing applications for assistance at Disaster Recovery Centers, =
providing information on FEMA benefits, tracking the status of =
applications, providing referrals, and providing mitigation information. =
 In some instances, volunteers served as Individual Assistance Team =
Leaders.  Others served as trainers, teaching hundreds of new FEMA =
employees and volunteers.  In December, when New Orleans' Lower Ninth =
Ward reopened, Crisis Corps Volunteers were instrumental in ensuring =
that the Disaster Recovery Center was operational and open to serve the =
needs of the returning residents.=20

=20

Learning The Lessons Of Hurricane Katrina

=20

The Administration Released Its Review Of The Federal Response To =
Hurricane Katrina.  The President's charge to evaluate the Federal =
government's response to the storm resulted in the report and =
recommendations released by the Administration, The Federal Response to =
Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned.  The product of an extensive review, =
led by the President's Homeland Security Advisor Fran Townsend, the =
Report identifies deficiencies in the Federal government's response and =
lays the groundwork for transforming how the Nation =E2=80=93 from every =
level of government, to the private sector, to individual citizens and =
communities =E2=80=93 pursues a real and lasting vision of emergency =
preparedness and response. =20

=20

The Lessons Learned Report Assesses The Federal Response, Identifies =
Lessons Learned, And Recommends Appropriate Corrective Actions.  The =
Report identifies the systemic problems in Federal emergency =
preparedness and response revealed by Hurricane Katrina =E2=80=93 and =
the best solutions to address them.  The Lessons Learned report =
includes:=20

=C3=98      17 lessons the Executive Branch has learned after reviewing =
and analyzing the response to Katrina;=20

=C3=98      125 specific recommendations to the President, which have =
been reviewed by relevant Federal departments and agencies, and will now =
enter an implementation process; and=20

=C3=98      11 critical actions to be completed before June 1, 2006 =
=E2=80=93 the first day of the next hurricane season.

=20

Hurricane Katrina And Its Aftermath Provide Us With The Imperative To =
Design And Build A Unified System.  The Lessons Learned Report confirms =
the imperative of integrating and synchronizing the Nation's homeland =
security policies, strategies, and plans across Federal, State, and =
local governments, as well as the private sector, non-governmental =
organizations (NGOs), faith-based groups, communities, and individual =
citizens. To achieve this, the Report identifies three immediate =
priorities:

=C3=98      First, we must implement a comprehensive National =
Preparedness System to make certain that we have a fully national system =
that ensures unity of effort in preparing for and responding to natural =
and man-made disasters;

=C3=98      Second, we must create a Culture of Preparedness that =
emphasizes that the entire Nation =E2=80=93 at all levels of government, =
the private sector, communities, and individual citizens =E2=80=93 =
shares common goals and responsibilities for homeland security; and

=C3=98      Third, we must implement corrective actions to ensure we do =
not repeat the problems encountered during Hurricane Katrina.

=20


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<BODY>
<DIV dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2><SPAN=20
class=3D844204914-08032006>Attached is the draft of the hurricane fact =
sheet that=20
is currently with Staff Secretary for approval.&nbsp;&nbsp;There were =
several=20
changes in staffing, so we wanted to&nbsp;give you all a chance to see=20
the&nbsp;post-staffing version.&nbsp; We plan to approve this soon, so =
please=20
let us know as soon as possible if you have any =
concerns.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2><SPAN=20
class=3D844204914-08032006></SPAN></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2><SPAN=20
class=3D844204914-08032006>Thank you.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2><SPAN=20
class=3D844204914-08032006>David</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2><SPAN=20
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<DIV dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2><SPAN=20
class=3D844204914-08032006></SPAN></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2><SPAN=20
class=3D844204914-08032006></SPAN></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2><SPAN=20
class=3D844204914-08032006>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-outline-level: 1"=20
align=3Dcenter><A name=3DOLE_LINK1></A><A name=3DOLE_LINK38></A><A=20
name=3DOLE_LINK2></A><FONT color=3D#000000><FONT face=3D"Arial =
Narrow"><?xml:namespace=20
prefix =3D st1 ns =3D "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" =
/><st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK38"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; text-shadow: =
auto">Gulf</SPAN></B></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></st1:PlaceType><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: =
normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; text-shadow: =
auto">=20
<st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></SPAN></B></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></st1:pl=
ace><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: =
normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; text-shadow: =
auto"> Update:=20
Hurricane Relief, Recovery And Rebuilding Continues <?xml:namespace =
prefix =3D o=20
ns =3D "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"=20
/><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-size: =
12.0pt"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial =
Narrow">&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK38"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: =
windowtext">President=20
And Mrs. Bush Today Traveled To <st1:State =
w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State> And=20
<st1:State w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:State> To Assess Continuing =
Relief,=20
Recovery And Rebuilding Efforts =E2=80=93 And To Reaffirm The =
Administration's=20
Commitment To The <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Gulf</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></st1:place></SPAN></B></SPAN></SPAN></S=
PAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext">. =
<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes">&nbsp;</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK38"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">The devastation of Hurricane =
Katrina has=20
required an unprecedented response by Federal, State, and local =
governments, as=20
well as the private sector.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; =
</SPAN>Relief,=20
recovery and reconstruction efforts are ongoing =E2=80=93 and will =
continue until this=20
vital region is up and running again. The President today discussed =
Federal,=20
State and local efforts to </SPAN>strengthen the <st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Gulf</st1:PlaceType> =
<st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>'s hurricane defenses, =
clear debris,=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK38"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">and meet long-term housing needs =
for=20
evacuees.</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK38"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: =
windowtext"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT><=
/P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-size: =
12.0pt"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial =
Narrow">&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo18"><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK38"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT size=3D3>Strengthening =
Hurricane=20
Defenses.</FONT></SPAN></B></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial =
Narrow'"><FONT=20
size=3D3> In order for the <st1:PlaceName =
w:st=3D"on">Crescent</st1:PlaceName>=20
<st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">City</st1:PlaceType> to rebuild, and for =
citizens and=20
businesses to feel confident in returning, <st1:City =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on">New Orleans</st1:place></st1:City> needs a modern-day, =
reliable=20
</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><STRONG><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'; =
mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><FONT=20
size=3D3>flood and storm=20
protection</FONT></SPAN></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial =
Narrow'"><FONT=20
size=3D3> system.&nbsp; President Bush and his Administration have =
proposed=20
additional safety and security measures to restore all damaged levees =
and=20
floodwalls.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>By June 1, =
the=20
beginning of the next hurricane season, all 169 miles of damaged levees =
and=20
floodwalls will have been restored to their design height; correcting =
any=20
identified design and construction flaws; and accounting for compaction =
and=20
subsidence.<U><o:p></o:p></U></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></=
P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; =
TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; =
mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 =
lfo17"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT size=3D3>Clearing Debris.=20
</FONT></B><FONT size=3D3>Roughly 80 percent of non-demolition debris, =
totaling=20
more than 80 million cubic yards, has been removed in the region. To =
ensure=20
debris removal continues and the process of rebuilding can proceed, the =
Federal=20
government is covering 100 percent of the cost of this cleanup through =
June 30,=20
whether the task is performed by contractors hired by the U.S. Army =
Corps of=20
Engineers or by local officials, and 90 percent of the cost thereafter.=20
</FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo17"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Arial =
Narrow">Restoring=20
<st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Gulf</st1:PlaceType>=20
<st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Coast</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">School</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> Libraries.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: =
windowtext"><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow">Mrs. Laura Bush is leading the =
effort to=20
refurbish <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType =
w:st=3D"on">Gulf</st1:PlaceType>=20
<st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> school=20
libraries.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Through the =
Laura Bush=20
Foundation's Gulf Coast School Library Recovery Initiative, grants are =
available=20
for books for school libraries in the <st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Gulf</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> region affected by =
Hurricanes=20
Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: =
normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"=20
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT =
color=3D#000000><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK38"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><FONT=20
size=3D3><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">The Region's =
Reconstruction And=20
Economic Recovery Are Top Priorities For The Administration. </B><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes">&nbsp;</SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT=20
size=3D3><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK38"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext">More than 16,000 federal personnel have been =
deployed=20
to help state and local officials along the <st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Gulf</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> recover.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Some $88 billion in Federal =
aid has been=20
made available for relief, recovery and rebuilding, with another $20 =
billion=20
requested to </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">support ongoing recovery efforts =
of the=20
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Army Corps of =
Engineers,=20
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Small Business =
Administration (SBA),=20
and other Federal government agencies.</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: =
windowtext"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT><=
/P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow"=20
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=3D"Arial =
Narrow"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><FONT =
size=3D3><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Much Progress Has Been Made In =
The Six=20
Months Since Hurricane Katrina Made Landfall. </B><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes">&nbsp;</SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: =
windowtext"><FONT=20
size=3D3>President Bush continues to deliver on the Federal commitment =
to "do what=20
it takes" to help residents of the <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType =

w:st=3D"on">Gulf</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> rebuild their lives in the =

disaster's wake.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Below =
are tangible=20
results Federal agencies have accomplished in helping the region on the =
road to=20
a complete recovery, and providing an opportunity for a stronger and =
better=20
future.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK38"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'; =
mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><FONT=20
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<H5 style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><U><FONT =
size=3D5><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow">Strengthening The <st1:place =

w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Gulf</st1:PlaceType> =
<st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>'s Hurricane=20
Defenses<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></U></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><=
/H5>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow"=20
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
size=3D3>The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is on track to restore all =
damaged=20
levees/floodwalls to authorized design levels by June 1, 2006 =E2=80=93 =
before the start=20
of the next hurricane season.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; =
</SPAN>The=20
President&nbsp;is&nbsp;focusing on the safety and security of the =
citizens of=20
the <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType =
w:st=3D"on">Gulf</st1:PlaceType>=20
<st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> and has =
committed to=20
providing the resources necessary for them to return and rebuild.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>About fifty percent (169 of =
350 miles)=20
of the levees and floodwalls and 48 percent (34 of 71) of the pump =
stations were=20
damaged by Hurricane Katrina.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; =
</SPAN>The=20
Corps is working on the following levee=20
improvements:</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; =
TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; =
mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: list .25in; mso-list: l31 level1 =
lfo5"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>Repairing and =
building the=20
protection system to the authorized design heights ($2.1=20
billion):</FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo51"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>By June 1, 2006, the Corps is scheduled to restore 169 miles =
of damaged=20
  levees and floodwalls to their authorized design height and to install =

  temporary closures on three drainage canals to protect from storm=20
  surge.</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></LI></UL>
<P=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l39 level1 lfo19"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times =
New Roman'"><FONT=20
size=3D3>By September 2007, the Corps is scheduled to complete the =
repair of=20
non-federal levees, achieve authorized design height, strength and =
stability for=20
the entire system and correct any identified design and construction =
flaws.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Fifty-nine contracts have been =
awarded=20
in the Greater New Orleans area, with the vast majority (91 percent) =
going to=20
local or <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State></st1:place> firms; 27 contracts or 52 =
percent=20
are to Hub Zone, small and disadvantaged/minority=20
contractors.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: =
ideograph-numeric; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: =
auto; tab-stops: list .25in; mso-list: l31 level1 lfo5"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>Additional =
proposed=20
improvements pending before Congress include ($1.46 billion):=20
</FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l50 level1 lfo20"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times =
New Roman'"><FONT=20
size=3D3>Permanent flood gates and pumping stations to the outfalls of =
interior=20
drainage canals (<st1:address w:st=3D"on"><st1:Street w:st=3D"on">17th=20
Avenue</st1:Street>, <st1:City =
w:st=3D"on">Orleans</st1:City></st1:address>=20
Avenue, <st1:Street w:st=3D"on"><st1:address w:st=3D"on">London=20
Avenue</st1:address></st1:Street>).=20
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l50 level1 lfo20"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times =
New Roman'"><FONT=20
size=3D3>Selective armoring of levees at most critical areas throughout =
the entire=20
hurricane protection=20
system.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l50 level1 lfo20"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times =
New Roman'"><FONT=20
size=3D3>Storm proofing interior pumping stations.=20
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l50 level1 lfo20"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times =
New Roman'"><FONT=20
size=3D3>Improved protection along the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal =
(IHNC) either=20
through upgrades to floodgates or through installation of closure=20
structures.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l50 level1 lfo20"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times =
New Roman'"><FONT=20
size=3D3>Incorporation of non-federal levees in Plaquemines Parish into =
the=20
federal system <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l50 level1 lfo20"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times =
New Roman'"><FONT=20
size=3D3>Initiation of wetlands restoration projects to provide both =
hurricane=20
protection and environmental=20
restoration.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK38"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'; =
mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><FONT=20
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK38"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'">Clearing Debris =
So=20
Rebuilding Can Proceed</SPAN></B></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: =
normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'; =
mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New =
Roman'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyTextIndent style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: =
0in"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial =
Narrow'"><o:p><FONT=20
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyTextIndent style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: =
0in"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: =
normal"><U><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT =
size=3D3><FONT=20
color=3D#000000>Clean-Up And Other Essential=20
Services<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></B></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>=

<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow"=20
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo17"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>Roughly =
80 percent=20
of the debris caused by the storms has been cleared in <st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:State> and 54 percent has been cleared in =
<st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on"><st1:place =
w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:place></st1:State></FONT><FONT=20
size=3D3>. More than 80 million cubic yards of debris have been removed =
from the=20
Coast =E2=80=93 an amount equal to the debris removed from the September =
11 attacks and=20
Hurricane Andrew combined. =
</FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo17"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>To ensure =
debris removal=20
continues and rebuilding proceeds, the Federal government is covering =
100=20
percent of the cost of this cleanup through June 30, whether the task is =

performed by contractors hired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or =
local=20
officials, and 90 percent of the cost thereafter.=20
</FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo17"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>To sustain =
progress, the=20
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has worked with State =
environmental=20
officials to develop efficient protocols for handling hazardous debris =
like=20
asbestos safely; and they have helped ensure that landfill facilities =
are=20
operating in compliance with applicable=20
requirements.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo17"><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK38"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>The =
debris that=20
remains is largely on private property; either in back and side yards, =
or inside=20
houses that need to be gutted or demolished.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN></FONT><FONT size=3D3>To =
remove this=20
debris, the </FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Arial =
Narrow"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">Federal government</SPAN> needs =
the help of=20
local leaders and the homeowners=20
themselves:</FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l45 level1 lfo21"><FONT=20
  size=3D3><FONT color=3D#000000><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1">Hundreds of thousands of homeowners =
remain=20
  displaced, some hundreds or thousands of miles away.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>The =
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">Federal government</SPAN> is =
working with=20
  local officials to expand temporary housing closer to where the =
rebuilding=20
  must occur, and providing financial assistance to homeowners to allow =
them to=20
  begin rebuilding; both directly through FEMA, and as part of recovery =
plans=20
  developed by the =
States.</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l45 level1 lfo21"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>As homeowners return and local plans coalesce, the painful =
but=20
  necessary work of demolition can begin in the most vulnerable=20
  neighborhoods.</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></LI></UL>
<P style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK38"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'; =
mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><FONT=20
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"=20
align=3Dcenter><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK38"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-size: =
12.0pt"><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">Rebuilding The Economy, Protecting=20
Workers<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial =
Narrow">&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: =
normal"><U><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Arial =
Narrow">Stimulating=20
Business<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></B></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>=

<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial =
Narrow">&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; =
TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; =
mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: list .25in; mso-list: l3 level1 =
lfo17"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow">Federal =
Coordinator=20
for Gulf Coast Rebuilding Donald Powell and Commerce Secretary Carlos =
Gutierrez=20
will lead a delegation of business leaders to Louisiana and Mississippi =
on a=20
"Gulf Coast Business Investment Mission" in May to highlight investment=20
opportunities, including Federal GO Zone tax incentives as part of an =
effort to=20
promote economic growth and job creation in the region following =
hurricanes=20
Katrina and Rita.<B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: =
normal"><U><o:p></o:p></U></B></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><=
/P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l30 level1 lfo2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>The U.S. =
Department=20
of Commerce (DOC) created the Hurricane Contracting Information Center =
(HCIC) to=20
provide a central point of reference for businesses, including those =
that are=20
minority or women owned, to register for and become aware of Federal =
contracting=20
opportunities.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; =
</SPAN></FONT><FONT=20
size=3D3>The Center has received over 8,200 calls and over 216,000 web =
visits.=20
</FONT><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT=20
size=3D3>&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P=
>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l9 =
level1 lfo22"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>DOC's Minority Business Development Agency has conducted =
direct=20
  outreach to over 2,000 minority local businesses, assisted over 250 =
displaced=20
  minority firms and counseled approximately 640 businesses on the Gulf =
coast=20
  procurement opportunities. </FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></LI></UL>
<P class=3DBullet1Text=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; tab-stops: list .25in; mso-list: =
l30 level1 lfo2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT =
size=3D3>DOC=20
is helping the affected region carry out recovery activities in three =
broad=20
areas: assisting businesses in rebuilding; providing technical =
assistance and=20
capacity building; and assisting with the development of a long-term =
recovery=20
strategy.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>DOC has =
organized=20
conferences, business counseling services, workshops and information =
seminars to=20
help retain and expand economic growth, as well as to assist adversely =
affected=20
small and medium sized businesses.=20
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial =
Narrow">&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: =
normal"><U><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT color=3D#000000><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow">Low Cost =
Loans For=20
Businesses And=20
Homeowners<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></U></B></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></=
P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><o:p><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
size=3D3>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l30 level1 lfo2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>The U.S. =
Small=20
Business Administration has approved $5.8 billion in disaster loans to =
over=20
82,000 homeowners, renters and businesses in <st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State>, <st1:State =
w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:State>,=20
<st1:State w:st=3D"on">Alabama</st1:State>, <st1:State =
w:st=3D"on">Texas</st1:State>=20
and <st1:State w:st=3D"on"><st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on">Florida</st1:place></st1:State>.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes">&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></FONT><FONT size=3D3>Of those, SBA has approved over $4.3 =
million in=20
disaster loans to over 66,300 homeowners and renters in the region and =
over=20
15,800 business disaster loans for over $1.4 million.</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT size=3D3>&nbsp;=20
</FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l30 level1 lfo2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>In addition, =
Congress=20
passed and the President signed legislation granting an additional $4.9 =
billion=20
in disaster lending authority to allow SBA to continue providing =
disaster loans=20
to those affected by the hurricanes.&nbsp;=20
</FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l44 =
level1 lfo23"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>SBA disaster loans are intended primarily for long-term =
rebuilding and=20
  reconstruction of damaged homes and businesses (FEMA financial =
assistance is=20
  primarily in the form of grants).&nbsp; =
</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l44 =
level1 lfo23"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>SBA has conducted damage inspections on more than 277,000 =
properties=20
  and received over 1.2 million calls into its <st1:place=20
  w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Customer</st1:PlaceName> =
<st1:PlaceName=20
  w:st=3D"on">Service</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType=20
  =
w:st=3D"on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPA=
N></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l44 =
level1 lfo23"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>SBA has processed over 98 percent of the applications for =
economic=20
  injury disaster loans. Over 265,000 loan applications have been =
processed;=20
  disbursements have been made on over 36 percent of the approved=20
  loans.</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></LI></UL>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l30 level1 lfo2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT =
size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has =
provided=20
approximately $22 million in loans and grants to assist rural=20
businesses.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in left 149.25pt; mso-list: l30 level1 lfo2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>DOC has =
supported small=20
business bridge loans through the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program, by=20
redirecting $2.3 million in loan funds to the Gulf=20
Region.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial =
Narrow">&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 4.5pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: =
normal"><U><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Arial =
Narrow">Granting=20
Businesses, Farmers, Investors And Other Taxpayers=20
Relief<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></B></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 4.5pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial =
Narrow">&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 4.5pt 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l24 level1 lfo6"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><A name=3DOLE_LINK51></A><A =
name=3DOLE_LINK50><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK51"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT =
face=3D"Arial Narrow"=20
size=3D3>The President signed into law the Gulf Opportunity (GO) Zone =
Act on=20
December 21, 2005 to reinvigorate the </FONT></SPAN></SPAN></A><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK51"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK50"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: =
windowtext">Gulf</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></st1:PlaceType><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK51"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK50"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"> <st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></st1:place><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK51"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK50"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"> economy. The Act increases business =
expensing,=20
accelerates bonus depreciation, provides expensing for demolition and =
cleanup=20
expenses, and net operating loss carry-backs.=20
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 4.5pt 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l18 level1 lfo24"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK51"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK50"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT =
size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">The Act authorized an additional $1 billion in New =
Markets=20
Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation authority to be provided to Community =
Development=20
Entities (CDEs) with a significant mission of recovery and redevelopment =
in the=20
GO Zone. =
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 4.5pt 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l18 level1 lfo24"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK51"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK50"><A name=3DOLE_LINK55></A><A =
name=3DOLE_LINK54><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK55"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT =
size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">The Act creates additional tax-exempt private =
activity bond=20
authority to help rebuild housing and infrastructure in the GO =
Zone.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes">&nbsp;</SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></A><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><st1:State w:st=3D"on"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK55"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK54"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: =
windowtext">Louisiana</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></st1:State><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK55"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK54"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext">, <st1:State =
w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:State> and=20
<st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:State =
w:st=3D"on">Alabama</st1:State></st1:place> are=20
provided the authority to issue a special class of private activity =
bonds,=20
called GO Zone Bonds.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; =
</SPAN>Bond=20
authority is approximately $7.9 billion for <st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State>, $4.8 billion for <st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:State> and $2.1 billion for <st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on">Alabama</st1:State></st1:place>. =
Proceeds from=20
these bonds can be used to pay for projects including acquisition, =
construction,=20
and renovation of nonresidential real property, qualified low-income =
residential=20
rental housing, single-family residential housing, and public utility =
property=20
(e.g., gas, water, electric and telecommunication lines) located in the =
GO=20
Zone.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><=
/SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 4.5pt 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l18 level1 lfo24"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK51"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK50"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK55"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK54"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>The Act expands access to =
low-income housing in=20
the GO Zone.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Under =
current law,=20
States receive allocations of low-income housing tax credits based on=20
population. This provision allows States to allocate additional housing =
credit=20
amounts in years 2006 to 2008 of $18 per person in the GO Zone. This =
will=20
provide additional credits of approximately $70 million for <st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State>, $37 million for <st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:State> and $17 million for <st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Alabama</st1:State></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SP=
AN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK54"></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK55"></SPAN>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 4.5pt 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l25 level1 lfo45"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK51"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK50"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT =
size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">USDA is making available $1.2 billion in emergency =

assistance for farmers and=20
ranchers.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SP=
AN></P><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK50"></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK51"></SPAN>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial =
Narrow">&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: =
normal"><U><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Arial =
Narrow">Developing The=20
Workforce<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></B></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P=
>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial =
Narrow">&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l30 level1 lfo2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>On March =
6, the=20
President signed S. 1777 extending Disaster Unemployment Benefits for =
nearly=20
400,000 individuals that lost their jobs as a result of Hurricanes =
Katrina and=20
Rita.</FONT><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT size=3D3>&nbsp;=20
</FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l20 level1 lfo15"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>Over 37,000 =
Americans are=20
enrolled in programs or services such as temporary jobs or vocational=20
training&nbsp;through the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)'s National =
Emergency=20
Grants (NEG) program.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l41 =
level1 lfo25"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>DOL&nbsp;has awarded&nbsp;$210 million in&nbsp;National =
Emergency=20
  grants across 11 states.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; =
</SPAN>These=20
  grants provide states with the resources to address the employment and =

  training needs of over 60,000 =
individuals.</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></LI></UL>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l30 level1 lfo2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>Helping =
workers=20
access high-growth jobs in the affected region, DOL awarded $12 million =
in=20
grants to train workers for jobs and careers in critical industries such =
as=20
construction, energy, health care, transportation, and=20
safety/security.</FONT><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT =
size=3D3>&nbsp;=20
</FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l30 level1 lfo2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>DOL =
developed=20
partnerships with the community college systems in LA and MS helping the =
states=20
establish and operate two construction career centers aimed at training =
local=20
workers for jobs in the construction industry.</FONT><FONT =
size=3D3><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l30 level1 lfo2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>Career =
counselors=20
were deployed to One-Stop Career Centers near evacuee centers and =
localities=20
with high concentrations of evacuees (LA, MS, TX, FL, GA, KY, OK, AR, =
TN, MO,=20
and VA).<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN></FONT><FONT =
size=3D3>($15=20
million)</FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l30 level1 lfo2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>DOL =
formed a=20
partnership in <st1:State w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:State> between =
<st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">One-Stop</st1:PlaceName> =
<st1:PlaceName=20
w:st=3D"on">Career</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Centers</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> and Manpower to =
encourage evacuees=20
to return home to work.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; =
</SPAN>"Coming=20
Home Portfolios" are created and include job training, services and job=20
opportunities.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; =
</SPAN></FONT><FONT=20
size=3D3>DOL deployed Disability Program Navigators to assist =
individuals with=20
disabilities who were affected ($5=20
million).</FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l30 level1 lfo2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK38"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT =
size=3D3>Beginning in May,=20
the Regional Workforce Training Program will work to train and deploy =
20,000 new=20
skilled workers from the affected region.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes">&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></FONT><FONT size=3D3>The Workforce Training Group will include=20
representatives from union, contractors, the Business Roundtable, and=20
others.</FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK38"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'; =
mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><FONT=20
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P><SPAN =

style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK38"></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2"></SPAN>
<P class=3DMsoHeading7 style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-STYLE: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; =
text-underline: none"><STRONG><U><FONT=20
size=3D5><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow">Rebuilding Lives And=20
Communities<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></U></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: =
normal"><U><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT color=3D#000000><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow">Providing =
Immediate=20
Recovery And Relief<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></U></B></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyTextIndent=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo3"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT =
size=3D3>Rescue=20
and response needs.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyText2=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
normal; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; =
tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l42 level1 lfo26"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>44 =
states and the=20
<st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on">District of=20
Columbia</st1:State></st1:place></FONT><FONT size=3D3> received =
Presidential=20
emergency declarations following Hurricane Katrina. This total is the =
most=20
declarations made for a single disaster in FEMA history.=20
</FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyText2=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
normal; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; =
tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l42 level1 lfo26"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>The Coast =
Guard rescued=20
33,000 people =E2=80=93 six times higher than the number of rescues in =
all of 2004.=20
</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyText2=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
normal; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; =
tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l42 level1 lfo26"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>The FEMA =
coordinated the=20
rescue of more than 6,500 people and for the first time deployed all 28 =
of its=20
Urban Search and Rescue teams for a single event. =
</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyTextIndent=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .75in; mso-list: l14 level2 lfo52"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT =
size=3D3>The=20
combined rescues performed by these two agencies total almost 40,000 =
=E2=80=93 more than=20
seven times the number of people rescued during the 2004 <st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on"><st1:place w:st=3D"on">Florida</st1:place></st1:State>=20
hurricanes.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyTextIndent=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .75in; mso-list: l14 level2 lfo52"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT =
size=3D3>The=20
Department Of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection (CBP) =
conducted=20
response operations that resulted in 1,428 missions that included 672 =
law=20
enforcement, 128 search and rescue, 78 recovery, 444 hurricane relief, =
and 97=20
other logistical support missions.&nbsp; CBP also provided food, water =
and other=20
supplies to thousands of people impacted by the hurricanes and donated =
over $20=20
million in seized goods and humanitarian=20
aid.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyTextIndent=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l27 level1 lfo54"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT =
size=3D3>The=20
Department of Defense (DoD) was instrumental in saving lives, restoring =
order,=20
and beginning the long, challenging process of recovery; at the height =
of the=20
DoD response, some 72,000 men and women in uniform assisted Federal, =
State, and=20
local authorities in recovery efforts, and approximately 15,000 =
residents of the=20
Gulf coast were rescued and 80,000 others evacuated.=20
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyTextIndent=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .75in; mso-list: l12 level2 lfo56"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT =
size=3D3>DoD=20
delivered critical emergency supplies =E2=80=93 more than 30 million =
meals and some=20
10,000 truckloads of ice and =
water.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyTextIndent=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .75in; mso-list: l12 level2 lfo56"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT=20
size=3D3>Military forces provided significant medical assistance, =
including 10,000=20
medical evacuations by ground and air, medical treatment of more than =
5,000=20
patients, and provision of more than 3,000 beds in field hospitals,=20
installations, and aboard U.S. Navy ships.=20
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyTextIndent=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .75in; mso-list: l12 level2 lfo56"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT =
size=3D3>At the=20
request of FEMA, DoD supplied 13 mortuary teams to support local =
authorities in=20
the systematic search, recovery, and disposition of the deceased.=20
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyTextIndent=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .75in; mso-list: l12 level2 lfo56"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT =
size=3D3>To=20
assist in disease prevention, DoD aircraft flew mosquito abatement =
aerial=20
spraying missions covering more than two million=20
acres.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyTextIndent=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo55"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT =
size=3D3>Within=20
the first six days of the response, the Federal government delivered =
more than=20
28 million pounds of ice, 20 million pounds of commodities (such as =
fruits,=20
juices, vegetables, meats and grains), 8.5 million ready-to-eat meals, =
and 4=20
million gallons of water. This exceeds the combined totals for the =
entire=20
recovery operation during Hurricane=20
Andrew.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyTextIndent=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .75in; mso-list: l26 level2 lfo27"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT =
size=3D3>Through=20
USDA's various feeding programs and in partnership with many faith-based =
and=20
community organizations, over 20 million pounds of food were delivered =
and=20
served to displaced residents, including almost 2 million pounds of baby =
food.=20
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyTextIndent=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .75in; mso-list: l26 level2 lfo27"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: both; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT =
size=3D3>Nearly=20
1.9 million households were signed up to receive close to $900 million =
in USDA=20
food stamps. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyTextIndent style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: =
0in"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" =
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; =
TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; =
mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: list .25in; mso-list: l13 level1 =
lfo3"><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New =
Roman'"><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>Shelter and other immediate=20
needs.</FONT></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN =

style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT size=3D3>=20
</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT><A name=3DOLE_LINK7></A><A =
name=3DOLE_LINK8><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK7"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New =
Roman'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></A></P>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l33 level1 lfo28"><FONT=20
  size=3D3><FONT color=3D#000000><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK8"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK7"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1">FEMA has committed $6.9 billion to =
date to=20
  provide shelter and direct cash assistance to hurricane victims in the =

  <st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Gulf</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType=20
  w:st=3D"on">Coast</st1:PlaceType>, an amount more than double the =
combined total=20
  of Individuals and Households Assistance Program (IHP) dollars given =
for six=20
  major <st1:country-region w:st=3D"on"><st1:place=20
  w:st=3D"on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> natural disasters =
occurring=20
  since 1992. </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK8"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK7"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New =
Roman'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></LI>=

  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l33 level1 lfo28"><FONT=20
  face=3D"Arial Narrow"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK8"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK7"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><FONT=20
  color=3D#000000><FONT size=3D3>More than 700,000 households have =
received=20
  apartment rental assistance under FEMA's IHP <SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-no-proof: yes">to pay for <SPAN=20
  style=3D"COLOR: black">apartments</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT><SPAN=20
  style=3D"COLOR: black"><FONT size=3D3>.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes">&nbsp;=20
  </SPAN>More than $1.7 billion has been distributed in financial rental =

  assistance as part of FEMA's comprehensive housing=20
  program.</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK8"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK7"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New =
Roman'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l33 level1 lfo28"><FONT=20
  face=3D"Arial Narrow"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK8"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK7"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><FONT=20
  color=3D#000000><FONT size=3D3>FEMA paid more than $560 million to =
provide hotel=20
  and motel rooms to tens of thousands of families affected by =
Hurricanes=20
  Katrina and Rita who were in need of short-term sheltering.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN></FONT></FONT><SPAN=20
  style=3D"COLOR: black"><FONT size=3D3>Once at a peak of 85,000 rooms =
billed to=20
  FEMA on one night, approximately 7,000 rooms remained in the program=20
  nationwide as of March 1, 2006.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes">&nbsp;=20
  </SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK8"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK7"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New =
Roman'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l33 level1 lfo28"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK8"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK7"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>Over 16,400 HUD-assisted or homeless families are receiving =
up to 18=20
  months of housing assistance through the<I=20
  style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal"> </I>Katrina Disaster Housing =
Assistance=20
  Program (KDHAP) and the Disaster Voucher Program (DVP), administered =
by=20
  HUD.</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l33 level1 lfo28"><FONT=20
  size=3D3><FONT color=3D#000000><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK8"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK7"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1">Over 10,000 displaced residents were =
placed in=20
  housing across the country primarily near the hurricane region by the =
USDA,=20
  working with HUD.</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK8"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK7"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New =
Roman'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></LI>=

  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l33 level1 lfo28"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK8"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK7"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>More than $17 billion has been paid to National Flood =
Insurance Program=20
  policyholders. Nearly 90 percent of all claims filed have been=20
  paid.</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></LI></UL>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo53"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK8"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK7"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>More =
than 1.8=20
million housing inspections have been completed in <st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Alabama</st1:State>, <st1:State =
w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State>,=20
<st1:State w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:State> and <st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Texas</st1:State></st1:place></FONT><FONT =
size=3D3>.</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT size=3D3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK7"></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK8"></SPAN>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l33 level1 lfo28"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>FEMA has approved $585 million in Community Disaster Loans =
for=20
  municipalities in <st1:State w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State> and =
<st1:State=20
  w:st=3D"on"><st1:place w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:place></st1:State> =
to help=20
  local authorities maintain essential services such as law enforcement, =

  schools, and fire services&nbsp; &nbsp;</FONT></SPAN></LI></UL>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: =
normal"><U><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT color=3D#000000><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow">Meeting =
Longer-Term Housing=20
Needs<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></U></B></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo17"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" color=3D#000000 =
size=3D3>Housing and=20
Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson recently announced the =
allocation=20
of $11.5 billion in disaster funding among five <st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Gulf</st1:PlaceType> =
<st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> states impacted by =
Hurricanes=20
Katrina, Rita and Wilma. <SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes">&nbsp;</SPAN>The=20
emergency funding is provided through HUD's <SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: italic">Community Development Block Grant =
(CDBG)<I>=20
</I></SPAN>Program to specifically assist <st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State>, <st1:State =
w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:State>,=20
<st1:State w:st=3D"on">Florida</st1:State>, <st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Alabama</st1:State> and <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Texas</st1:State></st1:place> in their long-term recovery =
efforts.=20
Reflecting the unique vulnerability of <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City=20
w:st=3D"on">New Orleans</st1:City></st1:place> and surrounding areas,=20
</FONT></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Arial =
Narrow">the President=20
has asked for another $4.2 billion in CDBG funds to buy out or elevate =
homes in=20
the most flood-prone areas and support other protective actions.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>.=20
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; =
TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; =
mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: list .25in; mso-list: l56 level1 =
lfo4"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>HUD has =
placed a=20
moratorium on foreclosures of FHA-insured homes until June 30, =
2006.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN></FONT><FONT size=3D3>The =
extended=20
foreclosure relief will provide mortgagees additional time to confirm =
the=20
mortgagor's intention and ability to repair the home, help them resume =
regular=20
mortgage payments and retain their=20
homeownership.</FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; =
TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; =
mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: list .25in; mso-list: l56 level1 =
lfo4"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>HUD's=20
</FONT></FONT></SPAN><A=20
href=3D"http://www.hud.gov/news/release.cfm?content=3Dpr05-164.cfm"><SPAN=
=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: =
none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>Mortgage Assistance=20
Initiative</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow" color=3D#000000 size=3D3> is assisting homeowners =
with=20
FHA-insured mortgages who are unable to maintain their payment =
obligations due=20
to hurricane-related property damage by advancing their mortgage =
payments for up=20
to 12 months.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>This =
unprecedented=20
mortgage relief is expected to help several thousand families remain =
homeowners=20
while concentrating on repairing their homes, finding jobs, and putting =
the=20
pieces of their lives back together.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; =
TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; =
mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: list .25in; mso-list: l56 level1 =
lfo4"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>HUD is =
issuing=20
waivers to streamline existing grant programs so grantees can reprogram =
existing=20
HUD funds for disaster relief.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; =
</SPAN>The=20
City of <st1:City w:st=3D"on">Houston</st1:City>, which received =
thousands of=20
evacuees from <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">New=20
Orleans</st1:City></st1:place>, was the first to ask for a waiver of =
CDBG's 15=20
percent cap on public services.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;=20
</SPAN>This request was granted for the <st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Gulf</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></st1:place></FONT><FONT size=3D3> =
states,=20
providing communities more flexibility.</FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DBullet1Text=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l56 level1 lfo4"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT =
size=3D3>HUD=20
launched the Universities Rebuilding America Partnership (URAP) program =
to=20
empower college and university students to help rebuild the impacted=20
communities.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>In =
partnership with=20
the Corporation for National and Community Service, HUD announced these =
two=20
grant programs totaling $5 million. =
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; =
TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; =
mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: list .25in; mso-list: l56 level1 =
lfo4"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>To =
ensure access to=20
discrimination-free affordable housing free from discrimination, HUD's =
Office of=20
Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity deployed staff to assist evacuees =
reporting=20
housing discrimination.</FONT><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT=20
size=3D3>&nbsp; </FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l56 level1 lfo4"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT =
size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">USDA is assisting rural families with funds to =
rebuild and=20
repair their damaged homes.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;=20
</SPAN>Approximately $20 million is being made available for grants, =
$210=20
million for direct loans, and $1.3 billion for guaranteed=20
loans.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; =
mso-layout-grid-align: auto"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"=20
align=3Dcenter><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-size: =
12.0pt"><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">Repairing And Strengthening=20
Infrastructure<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: =
normal"><U><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Arial =
Narrow">Restoring=20
Transportation<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></B></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
135.0pt 2.25in 243.0pt 5.0in"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT size=3D3><FONT =
color=3D#000000><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)'s =
funding of=20
emergency repairs has restored basic transportation services<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; =
</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l30 level1 lfo2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT =
size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">Fifty percent of <st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State>'s highways and 100 percent of =
<st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on"><st1:place w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:place></st1:State> =
highways have=20
been repaired.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Projects =
include:=20
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l37 level1 lfo29"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT size=3D3><FONT =
color=3D#000000><FONT=20
  face=3D"Arial Narrow">Temporary repairs completed to I-10 bridges at =
<st1:City=20
  w:st=3D"on">Slidell</st1:City> and <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City=20
  w:st=3D"on">Pascagoula</st1:City></st1:place>.<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; =
</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l37 level1 lfo29"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>Restoration of US90 eastbound between <st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City=20
  w:st=3D"on">Biloxi</st1:City></st1:place> and Bay St. Louis; westbound =

  restoration is underway. </FONT></SPAN></LI></UL>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l53 level1 lfo47"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT =
size=3D3>Long-term repairs=20
have also been initiated.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></FONT><FONT size=3D3>Projects =
include:</FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l37 level1 lfo29"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>Replacement of US90 bridges at Bay St. Louis and between =
<st1:place=20
  w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Biloxi</st1:City></st1:place> and =
Ocean Springs=20
  expected to be completed in late 2007.</FONT></SPAN></LI></UL>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l37 level1 lfo29"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>The I-10 =
bridge=20
replacement at <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City=20
w:st=3D"on">Slidell</st1:City></st1:place></FONT><FONT size=3D3> is =
expected to be=20
completed in 2009.</FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l30 level1 lfo2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT =
size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">A significant portion of <st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State> and <st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:State>'s transit services are operational, =
with 26=20
bus routes and two streetcar routes restored in <st1:City =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on">New Orleans</st1:place></st1:City>.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Emergency services have been =
established=20
to provide mobility for displaced persons sheltered in <st1:City =
w:st=3D"on">Baton=20
Rouge</st1:City>, Gulfport/Biloxi, and <st1:City =
w:st=3D"on">Pearl</st1:City>,=20
Stone and <st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">George</st1:PlaceName> =
<st1:PlaceName=20
w:st=3D"on">Counties</st1:PlaceName> in <st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:State></st1:place>.=20
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; =
TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; =
mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: list .25in; mso-list: l30 level1 =
lfo2"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>Most =
ports are back=20
to full or nearly full operation, according to a survey by the =
Association of=20
Port Authorities:</FONT><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT =
size=3D3>&nbsp;=20
</FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l15 level1 lfo30"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>The <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType =
w:st=3D"on">Port</st1:PlaceType>=20
  of <st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">New Orleans</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> =
recently=20
  announced that it had reached 100 percent of its pre-Katrina activity, =
with 70=20
  percent of the Port's facilities operational and 85 percent of the =
workforce=20
  returned.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>The =
<st1:place=20
  w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Port</st1:PlaceType> of =
<st1:PlaceName=20
  w:st=3D"on">New Orleans</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> is<SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>again welcoming cruise ships =
to dock=20
  offshore and their passengers to come ashore to tour the=20
  city.</FONT></SPAN></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l15 level1 lfo30"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: =
bold"><FONT=20
  face=3D"Arial Narrow" color=3D#000000 size=3D3>The worst-hit port, =
<st1:place=20
  w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Gulfport</st1:City></st1:place>, =
has&nbsp;50=20
  percent of pre-Katrina ship calls.</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></LI></UL>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-outline-level: =
1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: =
normal"><U><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT color=3D#000000><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow">Restoring =
Power, Gas, Oil=20
And Water<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></U></B></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: =
windowtext"><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow">Daily gas production in the =
<st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on">Gulf of Mexico</st1:place> has been restored to 85 percent =
and daily=20
oil production has been restored to 76 percent of pre-Katrina levels.=20
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l40 level1 lfo14"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT =
size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) calmed =
petroleum=20
markets/gas prices and helped restore power after the storm by:=20
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in .75in; mso-list: l28 level1 lfo31"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>Releasing crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and =
permitting=20
  foreign-flagged ships to deliver petroleum =
products.</FONT></SPAN></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in .75in; mso-list: l28 level1 lfo31"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>Helping restore power to hundreds of thousands of Texans by =
issuing two=20
  emergency orders to permit ERCOT power companies to provide service =
into the=20
  Entergy service territory.</FONT></SPAN></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in .75in; mso-list: l28 level1 lfo31"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>Conducting a detailed technical meeting with Entergy and =
several other=20
  utilities to discuss incorporating new technologies into electricity =
system=20
  reconstruction efforts in the Southeast, particularly <st1:place=20
  w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">New=20
  Orleans</st1:City></st1:place>.</FONT></SPAN></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in .75in; mso-list: l28 level1 lfo31"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>Enabling the Collins, <st1:State w:st=3D"on"><st1:place=20
  w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:place></st1:State>, Tank Farm to be =
re-energized,=20
  thus enabling total resumption of operations by the Colonial=20
  Pipeline.</FONT></SPAN></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l28 level1 lfo31"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>Providing the Geographical Information Service coordinates to =
FEMA so=20
  that supplies could be delivered to Entergy workers restoring power in =

  <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:State=20
  w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State></st1:place>.</FONT></SPAN></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in .75in; mso-list: l28 level1 lfo31"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>Coordinating delivery of fuel to <st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State=20
  w:st=3D"on">Alabama</st1:State></st1:place> company manufacturing =
utility poles,=20
  which were critical in the restoration process.</FONT></SPAN></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in .75in; mso-list: l28 level1 lfo31"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>Facilitating an agreement among power companies and the Corps =
of=20
  Engineers to restore power to the Lake Livingston (TX) Pumping Station =
which=20
  restored water to <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City=20
  w:st=3D"on">Houston</st1:City></st1:place> and to local=20
  refineries.</FONT></SPAN></LI></UL>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l51 level1 lfo48"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>The =
Departments of=20
Transportation and Homeland Security helped maintain power, gas and oil=20
distribution by:</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in .75in; mso-list: l35 level1 lfo50"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>Permitting foreign-flagged ships to deliver petroleum =
products to areas=20
  badly in need.</FONT></SPAN></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in .75in; mso-list: l35 level1 lfo50"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>Helping to find and install generators, and providing =
regulatory=20
  waivers, to keep pipelines operating so that people throughout the =
region and=20
  in the East had gasoline.</FONT></SPAN></LI></UL>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in .75in; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo49"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>Ensuring emergency supplies were delivered to stricken areas =
by=20
  granting waivers capping trucker hours </FONT></SPAN></LI></UL>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT =
size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is =
monitoring=20
energy production in the <st1:place w:st=3D"on">Gulf of =
Mexico</st1:place> and=20
repairing stream gauges to restore flood warning throughout the region. =
&nbsp;=20
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l54 level1 lfo32"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT =
size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">DOI's Minerals Management Service has taken a =
number of=20
actions to restore energy production from the Outer Continental Shelf.=20
&nbsp;These measures included expediting review of requests for =
temporary=20
barging of oil or flaring of small amounts of natural gas; expediting =
the=20
approval process for pipeline repairs and waiving cost-recovery fees =
until=20
January 2006.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DBullet1Text=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT =
size=3D3>USDA=20
is working to address long-term utilities needs in the rural <st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Gulf</st1:PlaceType> =
<st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>=20
by:<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l54 level1 lfo32"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>Repairing water and waste facilities ($45 =
million).</FONT></SPAN></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l54 level1 lfo32"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>Working closely with FEMA and state USDA staff on repairing =
water and=20
  waste utility damage.</FONT></SPAN></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l54 level1 lfo32"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>Providing technical assistance for critical emergency =
response=20
  assistance to water and waste facilities.</FONT></SPAN></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l54 level1 lfo32"><SPAN=20
  style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
  size=3D3>Providing funding to extend out electric co-operatives =
principal loan=20
  repayments for five years.</FONT></SPAN></LI></UL>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings"><o:p><FONT=20
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<H5 style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><A name=3DOLE_LINK10></A><A =
name=3DOLE_LINK9><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><FONT =
size=3D5><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><U><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow">Providing Social =
Services, Health=20
Care And=20
Education<o:p></o:p></FONT></U></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></A></SPAN></H=
5>
<H6><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK9"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; TEXT-DECORATION: none; =
text-underline: none"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow"=20
color=3D#000000><U>&nbsp;</U></FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></H=
6>
<H6><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK9"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK10"><U><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow" color=3D#000000 size=3D3>Social=20
Services</FONT></U></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></H6>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow"=20
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l36 level1 lfo10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>To =
respond to the=20
human services and mental health needs of individuals affected by the =
hurricane,=20
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $550 =
million=20
in Social Service Block Grants.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; =
</SPAN>The=20
funding may also be used to provide health care to hurricane affected=20
individuals lacking health insurance or adequate access to care, and to =
health=20
care safety net providers restore and resume their operations.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Funding was provided in =
varying amounts=20
to all 50 States, with the majority going to <st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State> (40 percent), <st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:State> (23 percent), <st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Texas</st1:State> (16 percent), and <st1:State =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on">Florida</st1:place></st1:State></FONT><FONT size=3D3> (10=20
percent).</FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: -60.45pt -.5in 0in .25in .5in =
.75in"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow"=20
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: -60.45pt -.5in 0in .25in .5in =
.75in"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><U><FONT size=3D3><FONT =
color=3D#000000><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">Temporary Assistance For Needy Families=20
(TANF)<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></U></B></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow"=20
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l52 level1 lfo16"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>HHS's =
Administration=20
for Children and Families TANF program is helping over 30,000 =
families<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>by providing =
short=E2=80=91term, non-recurrent=20
cash benefits to families who traveled to another State from the =
disaster=20
designated States.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; =
</SPAN></FONT><FONT=20
size=3D3>States also received additional funding for the TANF program to =
provide=20
assistance and work opportunities to needy families ($69 million for =
loan=20
forgiveness and $25 million in contingency funds for State Welfare=20
Programs).</FONT><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT size=3D3>&nbsp; =

</FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial =
Narrow">&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: -60.45pt -.5in 0in .25in .5in =
.75in"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><U><FONT size=3D3><FONT =
color=3D#000000><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">Health Care Delivery And=20
Hospitals<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></U></B></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P=
>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow"=20
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DBullet1Text=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; tab-stops: -60.45pt -.5in 0in .25in =
.75in; mso-list: l36 level1 lfo10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT =
size=3D3>To=20
provide health care for those in need, $2 billion was provided to States =
for=20
care through the Medicaid program (Hurricane Katrina Waivers). States =
receiving=20
Medicaid waivers include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, =
Delaware, the=20
District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, =

Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, North =
Dakota,=20
Puerto Rico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina,=20
Tennessee, Texas, and=20
Wyoming.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DBullet1Text=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; tab-stops: -60.45pt -.5in 0in .25in =
.75in; mso-list: l36 level1 lfo10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT=20
size=3D3>Within a week after Hurricane Katrina forced the closure of the =
U.S.=20
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) <st1:PlaceName=20
w:st=3D"on">Medical</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Center</st1:PlaceType> in <st1:City w:st=3D"on">New =
Orleans</st1:City>,=20
mobile health-care clinics from across the VA system were deployed to =
the=20
surrounding communities of <st1:City w:st=3D"on">Hammond</st1:City>, =
LaPlace and=20
<st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Slidell</st1:City>, =
<st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State></st1:place>.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;=20
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DBullet1Text=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: -60.45pt -.5in 0in list =
.5in left .75in; mso-list: l17 level1 lfo33"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT =
size=3D3>By=20
December 2005, a floor of the VA nursing home adjacent to the <st1:place =

w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">New Orleans</st1:PlaceName> =
<st1:PlaceName=20
w:st=3D"on">Medical</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> was opened as a primary =
care=20
clinic.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Another floor is =
slated to=20
open with limited specialty care in late March.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>The mobile clinics in the =
three=20
surrounding communities are being replaced with permanent =
community-based=20
outpatient clinics=20
(CBOCs).<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
-60.45pt -.5in 0in .25in .75in; mso-list: l36 level1 lfo10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>Over 11,000 =
non-veterans=20
received humanitarian care in VA clinics as a result of the quick =
deployment of=20
CBOCs.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l36 level1 lfo10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT =
size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">From October 2005 to January 2006,&nbsp;new and =
existing=20
outpatient clinics in <st1:City w:st=3D"on">New Orleans</st1:City>, =
LaPlace,=20
<st1:City w:st=3D"on">Hammond</st1:City>, <st1:City =
w:st=3D"on">Slidell</st1:City>=20
and other locations in the <st1:City w:st=3D"on"><st1:place =
w:st=3D"on">New=20
Orleans</st1:place></st1:City> area treated approximately =
two-thirds&nbsp;of the=20
number of veteran patients treated during the same period last fiscal =
year =E2=80=93=20
which exceeded=20
expectations.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l36 level1 lfo10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT =
size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">The VA is accelerating construction at the =
<st1:City=20
w:st=3D"on">Biloxi</st1:City> campus to move all clinical and =
administrative=20
functions from <st1:City w:st=3D"on">Gulfport</st1:City><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>to <st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City=20
w:st=3D"on">Biloxi</st1:City></st1:place>. They are also considering =
establishing=20
a temporary modular clinic on the Gulfport Campus to meet space =
needs.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;=20
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l36 level1 lfo10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT =
size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">The VA has entered into an agreement with =
<st1:PlaceName=20
w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">State</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">University</st1:PlaceType> to explore opportunities for =
constructing a=20
shared medical center in <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City =
w:st=3D"on">New=20
Orleans</st1:City></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></S=
PAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial =
Narrow">&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: -60.45pt -.5in 0in .25in .5in =
.75in"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><U><FONT size=3D3><FONT =
color=3D#000000><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial =
Narrow">Education<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></U></B></SPAN></SPAN></=
SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow"=20
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: -60.45pt -.5in 0in .25in .5in =
.75in 112.5pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><I style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: =
normal"><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT color=3D#000000><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow">Child =
Development and=20
School Readiness (Head=20
Start)<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></FONT></I></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l36 level1 lfo10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT =
size=3D3>The=20
Head Start program, which provides comprehensive child development and=20
school-readiness programs for low-income children from birth to age 5, =
as well=20
as pregnant women and their families, received $90 million to cover the =
costs of=20
replacing or repairing facilities that were damaged or destroyed by =
Hurricanes=20
Katrina or Rita that are not covered by insurance or FEMA.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>The funds also covered the =
costs of=20
serving approximately 4,800 evacuee children from January 1, 2006 to the =
end of=20
each grantee's current school year (i.e., late May or early June).<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;=20
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK9"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><o:p><FONT=20
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK9"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK10"><I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times =
New Roman'"><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT=20
color=3D#000000>K-12<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></I></SPAN></SPAN></S=
PAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: -60.45pt -.5in 0in .25in =
.75in"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
size=3D3>Progress has been made on the 1,100 schools (public and =
private) that=20
were closed following the storms, leaving 372,000 students initially =
unable to=20
attend school.</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
-60.45pt -.5in 0in .25in .75in; mso-list: l36 level1 lfo10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>In =
<st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State =
w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:State></st1:place></FONT><FONT=20
size=3D3>, 93 percent of schools have fully or partially=20
reopened.&nbsp;</FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
-60.45pt -.5in 0in .25in .75in; mso-list: l36 level1 lfo10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>In =
<st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on"><st1:place =
w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:place></st1:State></FONT><FONT=20
size=3D3>, 79 percent of schools closed have reopened.=20
</FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
-60.45pt -.5in 0in list .5in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo34"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>In =
<st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">New =
Orleans</st1:City></st1:place></FONT><FONT=20
size=3D3>, all 183 public and private schools were initially closed =
after the=20
hurricanes.&nbsp; </FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
-60.45pt -.5in 0in list .75in; mso-list: l43 level1 lfo35"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>Now, 17 public =
schools=20
(including 14 that now operate as charter schools) have reopened. About =
14=20
percent of the pre-Katrina enrollment, or 8,303 students, are now =
attending=20
public schools in the city.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
-60.45pt -.5in 0in list .75in; mso-list: l43 level1 lfo35"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>In the =
private=20
sector, 37 of 54 schools operated by the Archdiocese of New Orleans have =
now=20
reopened in the city and its environs.</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT size=3D3>&nbsp;=20
</FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
-60.45pt -.5in 0in list .75in; mso-list: l43 level1 lfo35"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>Total public =
and private=20
enrollment in the city equals about 30 percent of the pre-hurricane=20
level.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l36 level1 lfo10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT =
size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">The U.S. Department of Education succeeded in =
obtaining a=20
$1.6 billion special appropriation from Congress to meet =
hurricane-related=20
needs, including $750 million to help public and private schools along =
the Gulf=20
Coast reopen, and $645 million to reimburse public and private schools =
that=20
enrolled students displaced by Katrina and=20
Rita.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l21 level1 lfo57"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT =
size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">Approximately $500 million was delivered (3/2/06) =
under the=20
Immediate Aid to Restart School Operations (Restart Aid) Program to help =
reopen=20
and restart damaged schools in the states most affected by the =
storms.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>This is on top of the $253 =
million in=20
aid delivered to the region in January.=20
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l21 level1 lfo57"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT =
size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">Approximately $5 million was delivered (3/2/06) =
under the=20
Assistance for Homeless Youths (Homeless Aid) Program, to help state =
education=20
agencies address the needs of students displaced by the storms.=20
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l21 level1 lfo57"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT =
size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">The first installment of $120 million was =
delivered (3/2/06)=20
under the Temporary Emergency Impact Aid for Displaced Students (Impact =
Aid)=20
Program to assist local education agencies in 49 states and the District =
of=20
Columbia in paying for the cost of educating displaced Gulf Coast =
students who=20
were enrolled in public and non-public=20
schools.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l36 level1 lfo10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT =
size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">The Department of Education provided more than $20 =
million=20
through a special charter school grant to <st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State></st1:place> to assist in opening or =
reopening=20
charter schools in order to serve children affected by the =
hurricanes.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>This has helped public schools =
in=20
<st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">New =
Orleans</st1:City></st1:place>=20
expedite their reopening process by reopening as charter schools.&nbsp;=20
&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l36 level1 lfo10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT =
face=3D"Arial Narrow"=20
size=3D3>The Department of Education launched a website, Hurricane Help =
for=20
Schools (</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><A=20
title=3Dhttp://www.hurricanehelpforschools.gov/=20
href=3D"http://www.hurricanehelpforschools.gov/"=20
target=3D"_BLANK=E3=B5=B0&#18;=E3=99=92=E3=80=AF=E8=8A=84&#18;=E6=AF=88&#=
18;=E3=8B=B8&#20;=E3=8B=A8&#20;"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK10">www.hurricanehelpforschools.gov</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK10"></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT></A><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: =
windowtext"><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow">), to serve as a nationwide =
clearinghouse=20
resource for schools to post their needs so Americans can help meet =
them.&nbsp;=20
To date, more than 650 matches <EM><SPAN style=3D"FONT-STYLE: =
normal">between=20
needs and contributions </SPAN></EM>have been made through the=20
site.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK9"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'; =
mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><FONT=20
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK9"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK10"><I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times =
New Roman'"><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT color=3D#000000>Higher Education=20
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></I></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK9"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK10"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times =
New Roman'"><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT color=3D#000000>Postsecondary institutions on the =
<st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Gulf</st1:PlaceType> =
<st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> are also=20
recovering:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l16 level1 lfo12"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times =
New Roman'"><FONT=20
size=3D3>24 of 30 institutions of higher education in <st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State></st1:place> =
have now=20
reopened.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l34 level1 lfo36"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times =
New Roman'"><FONT=20
size=3D3>This figure includes 10 of the 15 that were closed in =
<st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">New=20
Orleans</st1:City></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></S=
PAN></SPAN></P>
<P=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l34 level1 lfo36"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C2=B7</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New =
Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times =
New Roman'"><FONT=20
size=3D3>Two-thirds of postsecondary students in <st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City=20
w:st=3D"on">New Orleans</st1:City></st1:place> have returned to=20
class.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l16 level1 lfo12"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>Both of =
<st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State =
w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:State></st1:place></FONT><FONT=20
size=3D3>'s closed postsecondary institutions have=20
reopened.</FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l16 level1 lfo12"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK9"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK10"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT =
size=3D3>Postsecondary=20
institutions in <st1:State w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:State> and =
<st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State =
w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State></st1:place></FONT><FONT=20
size=3D3> received $200 million from the Department of Education to help =
reopen=20
and to compensate colleges that took in displaced students. In addition, =
the=20
Department is distributing over $18 million of unused Federal =
campus-based=20
student aid funds to severely affected=20
colleges.</FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l16 level1 lfo12"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>HUD is =
providing=20
over $5 million to 16 universities through an innovative new program =
that draws=20
on the expertise of these centers for higher learning to help rebuild =
<st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Gulf</st1:PlaceType> =
<st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> communities.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN></FONT><FONT size=3D3>The =
funding is=20
provided through HUD's new Universities Rebuilding America Partnership =
(URAP)=20
initiative.</FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"=20
align=3Dcenter><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><A =
name=3DOLE_LINK6></A><A=20
name=3DOLE_LINK5><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK6"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-size: =
12.0pt"><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">Restoring The </FONT></SPAN></B></SPAN></A><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow"><st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType =
w:st=3D"on"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK6"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK5"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-size: =
12.0pt">Gulf</SPAN></B></SPAN></SPAN></st1:PlaceType><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK6"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK5"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-size: =
12.0pt">=20
<st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></SPAN></B></SPAN></SPAN></st1:place><SP=
AN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK6"><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: =
OLE_LINK5"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-size: =
12.0pt">=20
Environment <SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes">&nbsp;</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P><=
SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK5"></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK6"></SPAN>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l29 level1 lfo7"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>The EPA =
is=20
overseeing the cleanup of a one-million-gallon oil spill, which impacted =
over=20
1,800 homes.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN></FONT><FONT =

size=3D3>EPA has also collected over 2.4 million hazardous waste =
containers, over=20
300,000 electronic goods, and assisted in recycling over 310,000 large=20
appliances.</FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
12pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .25in; mso-list: l29 =
level1 lfo7"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>EPA =
tracked=20
operational status of water/wastewater systems, provided technical =
assistance=20
for emergency repairs and system assessments for FEMA funding, and =
supplied=20
mobile labs for testing water samples.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes">&nbsp;=20
</SPAN>Over 4,000 drinking water systems serving 15 million people were=20
affected.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN></FONT><FONT =
size=3D3>All=20
but 88 of these systems have returned to safe operations.</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT size=3D3>&nbsp;=20
</FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
12pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .25in; mso-list: l29 =
level1 lfo7"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>The =
agency has also=20
analyzed and communicated the results for over 1,800 environmental =
samples of=20
floodwater and sediment, over 5,200 environmental air samples and seven =
proposed=20
temporary housing sites identified by FEMA.</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT size=3D3>&nbsp;=20
</FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
12pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .25in; mso-list: l29 =
level1 lfo7"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>Working =
closely with=20
the State of <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State></st1:place></FONT><FONT size=3D3>, EPA =
has six=20
months that it rotates between 15 monitoring sites throughout the=20
state.</FONT><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT size=3D3>&nbsp;=20
</FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"=20
align=3Dcenter><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-size: =
12.0pt"><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">Reconstituting The Justice System And Prosecuting=20
Fraud<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: =
149.25pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in left 149.25pt; mso-list: l29 level1 lfo7"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>The =
Hurricane=20
Katrina Fraud Task Force was created to coordinate law enforcement at =
the=20
Federal, State, and local levels with other entities involved in the =
relief and=20
reconstruction effort.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; =
</SPAN></FONT><FONT=20
size=3D3>The Task Force includes the Department of Justice's (DOJ) =
Criminal=20
Division, United States Attorneys' Offices, the Federal Bureau of =
Investigation=20
(FBI), the Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, the =
Federal Trade=20
Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Inspectors =
General,=20
and various representatives of State and local law enforcement. There =
have been=20
over 201 cases resulting from the Taskforce's activities charging 241 =
defendants=20
in 24 judicial districts.</FONT><FONT size=3D3><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l29 level1 lfo7"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT =
size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">To date, the ICE Federal Protective Service (FPS) =
Law=20
Enforcement Officers have conducted approximately 80 criminal =
investigations,=20
made over 120 arrests and responded to thousands of calls for service. =
These=20
cases include verbal threats, brandishing of weapons, possession of =
firearms and=20
narcotics, and theft of government property and fraud.=20
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l29 level1 lfo7"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; =
mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: =
Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext"><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>FPS officers have provided more =
than 124,000=20
Patrol hours in support of recovery efforts in <st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State></st1:place>. &nbsp;Six months after =
the=20
hurricane, FPS still provides security and law enforcement support to=20
approximately 74 facilities with more than 300 contract guards and 65 =
posts=20
throughout <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State></st1:place>.&nbsp; FPS has 76 =
Officers,=20
Inspectors, Dispatchers and Special Agents deployed to <st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:State> and <st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></=
SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in left 149.25pt; mso-list: l29 level1 lfo7"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>The =
DOJ's Bureau of=20
Justice Assistance issued 33 supplemental Byrne Justice Assistance =
Grants (BJA)=20
to state and local agencies in <st1:State =
w:st=3D"on">Alabama</st1:State>,=20
<st1:State w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State>, and <st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:State></st1:place> to support immediate law =

enforcement needs resulting from Hurricane Katrina.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>DOJ also took additional steps =
to ensure=20
that grantee access to funds was not disrupted by issuing 6-month, =
no-cost=20
extensions for all grants in <st1:State w:st=3D"on">Alabama</st1:State>, =

<st1:State w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State>, and <st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:State></st1:place></FONT></FONT><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DBullet1Text=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; tab-stops: list .25in left =
149.25pt; mso-list: l29 level1 lfo7"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT =
size=3D3>The=20
FBI obtained the authority to provide States access to the FBI's =
criminal=20
history database for the purpose of conducting background checks on any=20
volunteer, relief worker, or evacuee associated with Hurricane Katrina =
who would=20
have access to children.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DBullet1Text=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; tab-stops: list .25in left =
149.25pt; mso-list: l29 level1 lfo7"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT =
size=3D3>DOJ=20
helped the Louisiana Department of Corrections move approximately 4,000 =
inmates=20
from <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">New=20
Orleans</st1:City></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P=
>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><A name=3DOLE_LINK4></A><A =
name=3DOLE_LINK3><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK4"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow"=20
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></A></SPAN></P><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK4"></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK3"></SPAN>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; mso-outline-level: 1"=20
align=3Dcenter><SPAN style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-size: =
12.0pt"><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">People Everywhere Have Made An Unprecedented =
Commitment To=20
The <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType =
w:st=3D"on">Gulf</st1:PlaceType>=20
<st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>=20
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1"><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" =
color=3D#000000=20
size=3D3>In his Address to the Nation from <st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City=20
w:st=3D"on">New Orleans</st1:City></st1:place>' <st1:Street =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:address=20
w:st=3D"on">Jackson Square</st1:address></st1:Street> on September 15, =
2005, the=20
President called on all Americans to help those affected by Hurricane =
Katrina.=20
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DBullet1Text=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo11"><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT=20
size=3D3>Private individuals, faith-based and community groups, and =
businesses met=20
the challenge and have contributed more than $3 billion in support of=20
faith-based and community organizations and disaster relief=20
agencies.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>&nbsp; </FONT></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l23 level1 lfo13"><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>USA =
Freedom Corps=20
created a nationwide information clearinghouse allowing individuals, =
businesses,=20
groups, and families to connect with volunteer opportunities to help =
families in=20
the <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType =
w:st=3D"on">Gulf</st1:PlaceType>=20
<st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></st1:place></FONT><FONT =
size=3D3>.=20
</FONT><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT=20
size=3D3>&nbsp;</FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l48 =
level1 lfo39"><FONT=20
  face=3D"Arial Narrow" color=3D#000000 size=3D3>There are currently =
more than 2=20
  million volunteer opportunities listed on the site =E2=80=93 with =
approximately 20,000=20
  in <st1:State w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State>, 16,000 in <st1:State=20
  w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:State>, and over 24,000 in <st1:place=20
  w:st=3D"on"><st1:State =
w:st=3D"on">Alabama</st1:State></st1:place>.</FONT></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l48 =
level1 lfo39"><FONT=20
  face=3D"Arial Narrow" color=3D#000000 size=3D3>The <st1:place=20
  w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Katrina</st1:PlaceName> =
<st1:PlaceName=20
  w:st=3D"on">Resource</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType=20
  w:st=3D"on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> was set up by USA =
Freedom Corps=20
  and the Corporation for National and Community Service.&nbsp; More =
than 350=20
  groups, representing over 14,000 volunteers, who contacted the Center =
were=20
  either matched with potential relief projects or provided additional=20
  information and referrals.</FONT></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l48 =
level1 lfo39"><FONT=20
  face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3><FONT color=3D#000000>Americans =
interested in=20
  helping with <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType=20
  w:st=3D"on">Gulf</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType=20
  w:st=3D"on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> recovery or to find a =
volunteer=20
  opportunity can visit </FONT><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: blue"><A=20
  =
href=3D"http://www.volunteer.gov/">www.volunteer.gov</A>.</SPAN></FONT></=
FONT></LI></UL>
<P class=3DBullet1Text=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo11"><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"><FONT =
size=3D3>The=20
American Red Cross recently announced financial donations and pledges =
would=20
cover the $2.116 billion estimated cost for its response to Hurricanes =
Katrina,=20
Rita and Wilma.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>The =
generous=20
financial support from around the world allowed more than 225,000 Red =
Cross=20
disaster relief workers=E2=80=9495 percent of them volunteers=E2=80=94to =
ensure that survivors=20
had a safe place to stay, food and comfort and the means to provide =
essential=20
items for themselves and their families. Survivors received counseling, =
basic=20
healthcare and family connecting services. This was accomplished on an=20
unprecedented scale. The Red Cross provided:</FONT></SPAN><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3> </FONT></FONT></P>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l19 level1 lfo37"><FONT=20
  face=3D"Arial Narrow" color=3D#000000 size=3D3>More than 3.4 million =
overnight stays=20
  in nearly 1,200 Red Cross shelters.</FONT></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l19 level1 lfo37"><FONT=20
  face=3D"Arial Narrow" color=3D#000000 size=3D3>More than 34 million =
meals and 30=20
  million snacks. </FONT></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l19 level1 lfo37"><FONT=20
  face=3D"Arial Narrow" color=3D#000000 size=3D3>Emergency financial =
assistance to=20
  more than 1.4 million families=E2=80=94more than 4 million =
people.</FONT></LI></UL>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l38 level1 lfo1"><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>Former =
Presidents=20
Bush and Clinton have led a private fundraising effort that has already =
received=20
pledges of more than $100 million to aid the <st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Gulf</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Coast</st1:PlaceType></st1:place></FONT><FONT size=3D3>'s=20
recovery.</FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; =
TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; =
mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: list .25in; mso-list: l38 level1 =
lfo1"><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>The U.S. State =
Department=20
received $126 million in cash donations for Katrina relief and recovery =
from=20
foreign governments, international organizations, and private sources in =
the=20
weeks and months following Katrina's landfall</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Arial =
Narrow'"><FONT=20
size=3D3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></FONT></P>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Ddisc>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l19 level1 lfo37"><FONT=20
  face=3D"Arial Narrow" color=3D#000000 size=3D3>State transferred $66 =
million to FEMA=20
  in early October to finance a case management program to assess the =
needs of=20
  100,000 households affected by Katrina.&nbsp; </FONT></LI>
  <LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
  style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: =
list .5in; mso-list: l19 level1 lfo37"><FONT=20
  face=3D"Arial Narrow" color=3D#000000 size=3D3>State is finalizing =
arrangements to=20
  transfer the balance of international donations =E2=80=93 $60.4 =
million =E2=80=93 to the U.S.=20
  Department of Education to implement reconstruction programs for =
schools and=20
  universities in the area damaged by Katrina, including:&nbsp;=20
  &nbsp;</FONT></LI></UL>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; =
TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; =
mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: list .75in; mso-list: l1 level1 =
lfo38"><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>Up to $25 =
million will be=20
used to restore K-12 schools and libraries.&nbsp; </FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; =
TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; =
mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: list .75in; mso-list: l1 level1 =
lfo38"><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>The balance =
=E2=80=93 $35 million=20
=E2=80=93 will go to higher education institutions, particularly =
Historically Black=20
Colleges and Universities.&nbsp; </FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; =
TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; =
mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: list .75in; mso-list: l1 level1 =
lfo38"><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>State expects =
to transfer=20
these funds to the Department of Education by March 10 and the =
Department=20
expects to have the funds to the schools as rapidly as=20
possible.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DDefault=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo46"><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>The =
Corporation for=20
National and Community Service, working in cooperation with the Red =
Cross, FEMA,=20
and local and state authorities, has helped more than 13,000 national =
service=20
volunteers contribute to the hurricane relief and recovery effort across =
the=20
country. Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America and special =
volunteer=20
program volunteers have established and operated shelters, provided =
meals and=20
social services to evacuees, assisted with communications, coordinated =
the=20
warehousing and distribution of donated goods, answered phones, cleared =
debris,=20
provided information on housing and other resources, organized =
children's=20
activities, raised funds, and managed tens of thousands of additional =
community=20
volunteers, among other activities.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: =
list .25in .75in; mso-list: l32 level1 lfo8"><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><FONT size=3D3>For the =
first time=20
in its history, the Peace Corps<B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: =
normal">=20
</B>worked within the borders of the <st1:country-region =
w:st=3D"on">United=20
States</st1:country-region> and served as Applicant Services Specialists =
in=20
<st1:State w:st=3D"on">Alabama</st1:State>, <st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Arkansas</st1:State>, <st1:State =
w:st=3D"on">Louisiana</st1:State>,=20
<st1:State w:st=3D"on">Mississippi</st1:State>, and <st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on"><st1:State w:st=3D"on">Texas</st1:State></st1:place>.&nbsp; =
In their=20
assignments, volunteers performed a variety of tasks, including =
processing=20
applications for assistance at Disaster Recovery Centers, providing =
information=20
on FEMA benefits, tracking the status of applications, providing =
referrals, and=20
providing mitigation information.&nbsp; In some instances, volunteers =
served as=20
Individual Assistance Team Leaders.&nbsp; Others served as trainers, =
teaching=20
hundreds of new FEMA employees and volunteers.&nbsp; In December, when =
<st1:City=20
w:st=3D"on">New Orleans</st1:City>' Lower Ninth Ward reopened, Crisis =
Corps=20
Volunteers were instrumental in ensuring that the <st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Disaster</st1:PlaceName> =
<st1:PlaceName=20
w:st=3D"on">Recovery</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place></FONT><FONT size=3D3> was =
operational=20
and open to serve the needs of the returning residents.=20
</FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"=20
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"=20
align=3Dcenter><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><FONT =
color=3D#000000><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">Learning The Lessons Of Hurricane=20
Katrina<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow">&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">The Administration Released Its =
Review Of=20
The Federal Response To Hurricane Katrina. </B><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</SPAN>The President's charge to =
evaluate the=20
Federal government's response to the storm resulted in the report and=20
recommendations released by the Administration, <I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal">The Federal Response to Hurricane =
Katrina:=20
Lessons Learned</I>.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>The =
product of=20
an extensive review, led by the President's Homeland Security Advisor =
Fran=20
Townsend, the Report identifies deficiencies in the Federal government's =

response and lays the groundwork for transforming how the Nation =
=E2=80=93 from every=20
level of government, to the private sector, to individual citizens and=20
communities =E2=80=93 pursues a real and lasting vision of emergency =
preparedness and=20
response.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; =
</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"=20
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT color=3D#000000><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">The <I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Lessons Learned</I> Report =
Assesses The=20
Federal Response, Identifies Lessons Learned, And Recommends Appropriate =

Corrective Actions. </B><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes">&nbsp;</SPAN>The Report=20
identifies the systemic problems in Federal emergency preparedness and =
response=20
revealed by Hurricane Katrina =E2=80=93 and the best solutions to =
address them.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>The <I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Lessons Learned</I> report =
includes:=20
</FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; =
TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: =
widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: list .25in; =
mso-list: l55 level1 lfo40"><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>17 lessons the =
Executive=20
Branch has learned after reviewing and analyzing the response to =
Katrina;=20
</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; =
TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: =
widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: list .25in; =
mso-list: l22 level1 lfo41"><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>125 specific=20
recommendations to the President, which have been reviewed by relevant =
Federal=20
departments and agencies, and will now enter an implementation process; =
and=20
</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; =
TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-pagination: =
widow-orphan; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: list .25in; =
mso-list: l47 level1 lfo42"><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>11 critical =
actions to be=20
completed before June 1, 2006 =E2=80=93 the first day of the next =
hurricane=20
season.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DDefault style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"=20
color=3D#000000>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Hurricane Katrina And Its =
Aftermath Provide=20
Us With The Imperative To Design And Build A Unified System. </B><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</SPAN>The <I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Lessons Learned</I> Report =
confirms the=20
imperative of integrating and synchronizing the Nation's homeland =
security=20
policies, strategies, and plans across Federal, State, and local =
governments, as=20
well as the private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), =
faith-based=20
groups, communities, and individual citizens. To achieve this, the =
Report=20
identifies three immediate priorities:</FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; =
TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; =
mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: list .25in; mso-list: l46 level1 =
lfo43"><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>First, we must =
implement a=20
comprehensive National Preparedness System to make certain that we have =
a fully=20
national system that ensures unity of effort in preparing for and =
responding to=20
natural and man-made disasters;</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; =
TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; =
mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: list .25in; mso-list: l49 level1 =
lfo44"><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>Second, we =
must create a=20
Culture of Preparedness that emphasizes that the entire Nation =E2=80=93 =
at all levels=20
of government, the private sector, communities, and individual citizens =
=E2=80=93 shares=20
common goals and responsibilities for homeland security; =
and</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; =
TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; =
mso-layout-grid-align: auto; tab-stops: list .25in; mso-list: l49 level1 =
lfo44"><FONT=20
color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; =
mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3D3>=C3=98</FONT><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=3D"Arial Narrow" size=3D3>Third, we must =
implement=20
corrective actions to ensure we do not repeat the problems encountered =
during=20
Hurricane Katrina.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3D"Arial Narrow" color=3D#000000=20
size=3D3>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></P></SPAN></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

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