President Marks Fourth Anniversary Of Hurricane Katrina

(Washington, DC) -- President Obama took a week off from beating the drum on healthcare to discuss the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina in his weekly radio address. The President said work continues to rebuild the areas of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi devastated by the storm and prevent similar catastrophies. Obama said his approach is simple, saying quote, "government must keep its responsibility to the people, so that Americans have the opportunity to take responsibility for their future." He plans to visit New Orleans later this year and said eleven members of his Cabinet have been to the area since he took office in January. Obama pledged his administration will not "stand in the way of red tape that stands in the way of progress, or waste that can drive up the bill." He said the country needs to be protected and resiliant in the face of disaster, adding hundreds of miles of levees and floodwalls still need to be rebuilt around New Orleans. Obama said in addition to protecting ourselves from hurricanes, the country needs to be prepared for other disasters such as wildfires, earthquakes, terrorist attacks and pandemic disease outbreaks. He concluded by saing the legacy of such a terrible storm should be a country which is "safer and more prepared for the challenges that may come." (Copyright 2009 by Newsroom Solutions) Read more atarkansasmatters.com.

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