Join me in sending messages to restore levees and better protect our Louisiana coastline. Take a moment, when you can, to send an e-mail. It's a gift to ourselves and to our neighbors. If you send the email petition to President Bush and Congress or take any other action, I would love to hear back from you via the comment section of this post. Thank you, Margaret Saizan, (author of this blog)
The interactive letter (accessible from http://healthygulf.org/) is as follows:
Dear President Bush and Members of Congress
In the three months since Hurricane Katrina, and then Hurricane Rita, ravaged New Orleans and coastal Louisiana, Americans have opened their hearts to those displaced and affected by the greatest natural disaster in our nation’s history. Their charitable and humanitarian outpouring reflects the very best in our country’s character. But more is necessary.
You requested that the citizens of Louisiana lead the way by creating and offering ideas for rebuilding that the Federal government can support. Through task forces, commissions, and community meetings, Louisiana is doing its part. Now, it is time for Washington to act.
To revitalize New Orleans and other affected communities will take a genuine commitment to the future. To secure the natural bounty of coastal Louisiana—America’s Wetland—as part of our legacy to future generations will take a commitment to protecting and restoring America’s greatest wetland treasure. This Administration and this Congress have a responsibility to act to save these treasures and the time to make that commitment is now.
At the heart of the revitalization effort and at the heart of your responsibility is a commitment to two things:
1. Honest and effective storm protection, up to a Category 5 level, for New Orleans and other population centers, and
2. Coastal restoration and conservation.
These two pieces are inextricably tied together, and are key responsibilities of the federal government. Each day that passes without a commitment to the survival and prosperity of New Orleans, south Louisiana and America’s Wetland compounds and prolongs this tragedy. This is not just about a storm or Louisiana. It is about whether America answers the call of stewardship and responsibility. The time to act is now.
Your Signature!
