WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today commented on President Obama's decision to extend the Office of Gulf Coast Rebuilding through March 31, 2010. The President also announced that he would establish an interagency working group to address long-term hurricane recovery issues and that he will visit the Gulf Coast region in mid-October.

The Office of Gulf Coast Rebuilding was created by executive order in November 2005 to focus on the Gulf Coast's recovery from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and was set to expire September 30, 2009.

Sen. Landrieu said:

"President Obama's decision to extend the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding is encouraging news for recovering communities throughout Louisiana. This six-month extension gives our delegation additional time needed to work with the White House to determine the best path forward in our rebuilding effort.

"Today's announcements and the President's proposed visit to Louisiana in October demonstrate that this new Administration is a committed partner in Gulf Coast recovery. The President and his Cabinet officers understand that our full recovery depends on continued federal support, and the Gulf Coast Rebuilding Office will play a key coordinating role. Working together with local and state officials, a strong Gulf Coast Rebuilding Office can help address the opportunities and challenges our communities face four years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

"President Obama has also responded to my call to establish an interagency working group that will be vital to our ongoing rebuilding efforts. There must be greater coordination among HUD, FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers, SBA, the Department of Transportation, and other agencies. This working group is an important step in that process. To accelerate Louisiana's recovery, a coordinating body must streamline the bureaucratic review process, and I am pleased that this President has recognized the urgent need for such collaboration."

The Louisiana Congressional Delegation sent a letter to the President in March asking that the Office of Gulf Coast Rebuilding be extended for two years and be elevated to a White House level office. Sen. Landrieu also asked the President to establish a structure for better coordination among the many federal agencies involved in the long-term rebuilding effort.

In a July 31 letter, Sen. Landrieu requested that a separate interagency panel be created to address ongoing coastal restoration and flood protection efforts. The President has now responded to both Landrieu requests.

A full copy of the letter sent to the President in March can be found at: http://landrieu.senate.gov/news/09.03.02_OGCR.pdf.

A full copy of the July letter to the President can be found by visiting: http://landrieu.senate.gov/media/POTUS_Letter.pdf.