Coast New Deal urged Civil works project pushed: HR 4048

We did make it into the Mississippi Sun Herald! You can read below or at http://www.sunherald.com/212/story/179230.html

It is interesting, they focused on the CCC side of it. scott ml

Coast New Deal urged Civil works project pushed

By MARIA RECIOSUN HERALD WASHINGTON BUREAU WASHINGTON -- In a proposed return to the New Deal, Rep. Zoe Lofgren,D-Calif., has introduced a bill to create a Gulf Coast Civil Works Project to train young people in the areas hit by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Bay St. Louis, and Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-La.,are co-sponsoring the bill that would organize work teams on recovery,conservation and mitigation projects."I introduced this legislation to help ensure that the critical infrastructure along the Gulf Coast will be rebuilt in an efficient and responsible manner," said Lofgren.

"It also establishes framework to protect the interests of local workers, businesses, and communities while moving the rebuilding efforts forward."Lofgren said the program would help speed industrial and commercial development along the Gulf Coast. "I believe that it is the responsibility of every member of Congress to ensure that the federal government responds to the needs of all Americans," she said.

The projects would be done in cooperation with local governments and would be coordinated with other recovery efforts.Nonprofit groups, which support the plan, said it would create 100,000 jobs.

"Communities across the Gulf Coast suffer from crumbling roads and water systems, ill constructed flood protection and closed police stations, firehouses, schools and hospitals," said Stephen Bradberry,head state organizer of ACORN Louisiana. "We have an opportunity to jump-start the recovery by empowering communities with the resources they need to lead."

In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps played a major role in rebuilding the nation."During the New Deal, the federal government partnered with communities to create 4 million jobs in two months building or repairing thousands of hospitals, schools, and playgrounds through public works programs," said Scott Myers-Lipton, San Jose State professor and Gulf Coast Civic Works Project organizer. "This is exactly what the Gulf Coast now needs."