Mitch Landrieu: “today is day 15 of Hurricane Katrina, which has devastated the southeastern part of Louisiana and parts of Mississippi…”

“today is day 15 of Hurricane Katrina, which has devastated the southeastern part of Louisiana and parts of Mississippi and some parts of Alabama and other States. I have come to the floor, just for a few minutes, to give a few brief remarks--some on a positive note as to some positive things that are taking place, and then some which are descriptive detail as Senators, both Republicans and Democrats, begin to build ideas for the rebuilding of this great region. First, let me say how pleased I am that a group of Senators will be coming down to the region on Friday. Details of that trip will be announced, but Senators from Mississippi and Louisiana have suggested that some of our colleagues come down and see firsthand the devastation. Not wanting to use assets that were being required for search and rescue, now that phase is almost completed, and it is appropriate for Senators to come down. I understand Senator Reid and Senator Frist are organizing that trip with some of the Senators here. Senator Vitter and I and others look forward to getting them down on the ground to show them the breadth of the devastation. One point on that: This is a picture of New Orleans that was done by the New York Times. I thought it was extremely helpful, and I would like to take a moment of my short time on the floor to show this picture in a larger view.…”