WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today reflected on the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The August 29th storm and the failure of the levee system that followed marked the worst disaster in United States history.

Sen. Landrieu said:

"On this fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the eyes of the world will turn again to Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region. In the coming days, we all will reflect on the progress and the many challenges that remain since Katrina and the levee breaks devastated our communities, wrecked our businesses and shattered our families.

"Through this tragedy, we continue to look for opportunities. Our citizens have returned to their communities with their sleeves rolled up and ready to work. They have brought with them an unprecedented wave of entrepreneurs who have planted the seeds to make South Louisiana a hotbed of innovation and advancement. Together, we are rebuilding our region to make it better and stronger than we were before Katrina -- family by family, home by home, neighborhood by neighborhood.

"Thanks to this unparalleled citizen effort, our region has progressed from the recovery to the rebuilding phase. President Obama has selected some outstanding leaders, including Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, to assist our rebuilding effort. These officials have stepped up early and forcefully to push our revitalization forward.

"With the determination of the people and a federal government redoubling its efforts, I am hopeful that the completion of the Gulf Coast's rebuilding is in sight."

Sen. Landrieu recently sent a letter to President Obama asking for his leadership in helping complete the remaining Gulf Coast recovery work. The letter outlined the Senator's recovery and rebuilding priorities in four critical areas -- flood protection and coastal restoratin, housing, education and health care.

A copy of the fill letter is available by visiting:
http://landrieu.senate.gov/media/POTUS_Letter.pdf