August is historically a tough month for Louisiana. But Louisianians are strong. From the recent devastating flood disaster in South Louisiana to the tragic chaos of Hurricane Katrina, Louisianians have been hit with the worst of the worst natural disasters, but it’s during these tough times that our spirit of resiliency kicks in and our true colors show.
Louisianians are innately strong, generous, and hopeful. We have seen folks risking their own lives to save their neighbors, and families have been opening up their homes to those whose homes were destroyed. We have seen communities band together to rebuild and recover – regardless of what their favorite football team or preferred roux may be. As South Louisiana faces a long road to recovery, I know that we will once again come together to help our fellow Louisianians rebuild and recover.
This recent flooding event inundated multiple parishes, forcing tens of thousands out of their homes and damaging more than 160,000 structures in its wake – many of which are outside of federally mapped flood zones and don’t have flood insurance. Tragically, 13 Louisianians lost their lives in this once-in-a-thousand-year flood, and our family’s thoughts and prayers continue to remain with the families and friends they leave behind.
Yes, the floodwaters are receding, and debris is starting to get hauled away, but that doesn’t mean the disaster portion is over. We all have a long journey ahead of us to rebuild and recover, and I will certainly be doing my part in the U.S. Senate.
As Chairman of the U.S. Senate Small Business Committee, I’ve been fighting to make sure Louisiana’s biggest economic drivers—small business—have the tools they need to reopen and reboot as soon as possible. That’s why I invited Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) down to the state this past Thursday to survey the flood-impacted areas in Livingston, Ascension, and East Baton Rouge parishes. The best way to understand this type of catastrophic flooding is to see it first-hand, and talk to victims face to face. That makes a huge difference in bringing about real, effective solutions.
Secretary Julian Castro of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and my colleagues in the Louisiana Congressional Delegation also joined Administrator Contreras-Sweet and me in meeting with local business owners, homeowners, and local leaders to talk about the SBA tools available during the recovery process, including opening many more Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) in each affected parish so that small businesses can get disaster loans to rebuild and homeowners can access low-interest loans. Right now there are 7 BRCs open, and I’m pushing to get several more up and running as soon as possible.
Last year, I was able to secure real reform in the disaster recovery process through my disaster relief legislation – the RISE After Act – which was signed into law late last year. This important legislation does exactly what its name purports: helping small business and entrepreneurs “rise” more quickly after a natural disaster by giving the SBA authority in helping small businesses secure the capital they need after a disaster.
As we shift our focus toward recovery and rebuilding, I know that SBA Administrator Contreras-Sweet will be a great partner in our recovery efforts. I’m also ready and eager to continue working with my colleagues in Congress and to keep pressure on President Obama to make sure we get the financial assistance and support we need to get back on our feet again.
As always, recovery is going to take more than federal money – which has already started coming. We need help from all directions, including our hard-working local officials, churches, volunteers, charitable organizations, and you. Your help and support will make a direct impact in how quickly we recover. So as waters continue to recede and recovery continues, I urge each and every Louisianian to commit to helping their neighbors pick up the pieces and begin again.
The good news is that we face achievable goals—I know that for certain—and I also know that Louisianians will come out stronger and even more resilient than before. It will certainly be a long road to recovery, but I am confident we will rebuild and recover—together.
Louisiana is at its strongest when it works together, so as always, I hope you stay in touch if you have questions concerning the recovery process. My staff and I are willing and ready to help.
As flood waters begin to recede and folks start the rebuilding process, I wanted to ensure all Louisianians that numerous resources have already been made available to folks who have been impacted by this unprecedented “1,000 year flood” event. In times such as these, we need to remember to stay vigilant, safe and mindful of everyone who has been affected by the horrors of this disaster.
Official federal assistance has been made available to more than 20 parishes. Those parishes include: Acadia, Ascension, Avoyelles, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Vermilion, Washington, and West Feliciana. With more parishes likely to be designated, please continue to check my website for designation updates.
If your home has received damage as a result of this flooding disaster, I would encourage you to apply for federal financial aid with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sooner rather than later. You can start that process today at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). FEMA has reported that tens of thousands of Louisianians have already registered for assistance as a result of this catastrophe, which can be up to $33,000 to help with things like temporary housing, home repair, clean-up items, medical expenses, and even home replacement under certain circumstances.
Also, if you have flood insurance, please file a claim with your agent or insurance provider immediately. If you do not have flood insurance, FEMA does offers certain assistance on an individual case-by-case basis. You can see if you fit into those special categories by registering with FEMA at the link above.
If you are in need of safe, reliable shelter, please contact your local Red Cross chapter. You can find that info at www.RedCross.com.
If you would like to help in recovery or volunteer efforts, you can visit www.VolunteerLouisiana.gov or visit their Facebook and Twitter pages for up-to-the-minute opportunities.
I would also like to remind folks that unfortunately there are some people out there that would try to make a quick dime off of tragedies like this. Please be wary of scammers when seeking contractors and making donations to certain organizations. I recommend running a quick online search for the business or organization. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for proper paperwork to verify folks are who they say they are.
This deadly disaster has already claimed the lives of at least 13 Louisianians, and has displaced tens of thousands of folks from their homes, families and loved ones. Louisianians have suffered more than their fair share of pain and misery as a result of natural disasters, but I am here to remind you that you are not alone. It will certainly be a long road, but Louisianians will do what we do best: recover and rebuild.
Members of my staff and I have been working around the clock to make sure Louisianians have the information and federal resources they need to remain safe and begin the recovery process quickly. Please let us know if we can help you and your family better prepare for disastrous storms, catastrophic flooding, and the hurricane season. You can reach me at any of my state offices or my Washington, D.C. office; you can also reach me online at www.vitter.senate.gov.
In the early morning hours of Sunday, July 17, brave Baton Rouge law enforcement officers were gunned down in what can only be described as a cowardly and murderous attack.
That morning, six Louisiana officers were shot, with three suffering severe injuries and three sacrificing their lives in service of their communities.
These men were not only outstanding police officers, but they were also husbands, fathers, and members of their community. And they will be greatly missed.
So many of our nation’s police officers are husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, veterans of our military, Republicans and Democrats. At the end of the day, it is their service and sacrifice that speaks volumes more than any political leaning. As for the three officers we lost in Baton Rouge, their stories reflect those of so many officers across the country.
The three men who ultimately sacrificed their lives were Officers Montrell Jackson, Matthew Gerald, and Brad Garafola.
Officer Montrell Jackson was 32 years old and a father to a four-year old. He dedicated ten years of his life to helping those in need within his community and putting his life on the line to protect his community.
Officer Matthew Gerald was 41 years old. He was a veteran of United States Marines, having served in the 1990s before reenlisting when his country needed him in 2002. He was deployed to Iraq and the Middle East three times. Gerald was awarded four Air Medals for his service to his country before joining law enforcement. Officer Gerald is survived by his wife and two children, aged 3 and 9.
Officer Brad Garafola spent 24 years with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Department and is survived by his wife and four children, aged 7, 12, 15, and 21.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time in recent months that our state—and the Baton Rouge community in particular—has been thrown into the national spotlight for a grievous incident. Alton Sterling, a 37-year old Baton Rouge resident, was killed earlier this month, and Wendy and I continue to pray for his family and the surrounding community so we can all find the necessary healing.
Words can hardly describe the sorrow, heartache, and utter disgust that these recent violent acts have generated. In a time of divisiveness, it is as important as ever to band together to root out violence and pursue peace—especially against those brave men and women who heed the call to protect and serve their communities.
In the days ahead, my thoughts and prayers will remain with the families of the slain officers and the Sterling family as we continue to heal from the violence.
Let me ask you a tough question: Do you think Washington elites and political insiders should get to live under a different set of rules than every other American? Of course not.
Somehow in Washington those friendly with the Obama Administration get special exemptions. This became brutally obvious this week when presented with clear and unbiased facts, both the FBI and the Department of Justice decided to give former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton a free pass in her grave mishandling of sensitive information that put our national security at risk, and likely compromised information that was deemed to be the highest classification our nation has.
What’s worse? These announcements came just a week after the country’s top attorney Loretta Lynch met with Bill Clinton aboard a private plane, raising serious concerns over conflicts of interest, and just days after Hillary publicly said she was considering keeping Lynch in office should she become President.
Now let me clear something up right off the bat—Hillary Clinton intentionally used multiple email servers in an elaborate attempt to cover up or destroy politically damaging information – likely regarding huge conflicts of interest with the Clinton Foundation. In doing so she put our U.S. military and intelligence community at grave risk.
Intelligence officials and military personnel agree that in the vast majority of cases, mishandling classified information should result of a loss of security clearance at the very least. At the worst, those who violate those policies could face federal prosecution and even prison time, neither of which Secretary Clinton will endure. Literally because she’s a Clinton.
That’s flat out unfair and just plain wrong.
In 2009 I was one of only two Senators who opposed Clinton’s nomination to be Secretary of State. At the time I warned of a multi-billion dollar minefield of conflicts of interest with her and the Clinton Foundation. Since then I’ve been fighting for transparency at the State Department and for them to turn over Hillary Clinton’s records from her private email server. That includes emails involving the Foundation and also emails regarding Hillary Clinton’s decision against designating Nigeria’s dangerous Boko Haram terror group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) after conflicts of interest arose between Clinton, the Clinton Foundation, her position as Secretary of State, and her ties to Nigerian politicians and dictators. That’s just one example of the explosive conflicts of interest I warned against.
All public servants in the United States should be held to the highest standard of scrutiny—even beyond their employees—especially those seeking the highest office in the land. This week’s events give me serious concerns about the future of American politics, and by not holding Secretary Clinton responsible for her actions the FBI and Justice Department sets a dangerous percent for holding politicians accountable in the future.
By running for President, Hillary Clinton is asking the American people to entrust her with the responsibility that goes along with the title of Commander in Chief. But how can Secretary Clinton expect us to trust her as the chief representative of the United States when we can’t even trust her to keep the nation’s secrets? I am proud to announce that I have joined my Senate colleagues in introducing legislation to revoke her security clearance, and you can rest assure I’ll keep fighting to make sure that lawmakers and bureaucrats are required to live under the same rules they require of everyone else.
Secretary Clinton has proved time and time again that she is more concerned with preserving her own image – and her own title – than with keeping America safe and serving her country. The American people are sick and tired of the Washington elite insiders living under a different set of rules than everyone else, and the FBI and DOJ’s decisions not to indict her sets a dangerous precedent moving forward.
Two hundred and forty years ago, our Founding Fathers declared our nation’s independence under the common belief that freedom could stand up to anyone who threatened it, a belief Americans still stand by today.
July 4th weekend is known for its fireworks, barbeques, festivals and, of course, time spent with family and friends. But it is most importantly a time to honor our heritage of life, liberty, and freedom that make up the solid foundation of our great country.
Our country is the land of the free thanks to the many men and women who have answered the call to serve our country, and Independence Day serves as a special reminder of the great sacrifices they have made to protect our freedoms.
Regardless of how you choose to celebrate the Fourth of July, I hope you will join me in remembering the American heroes currently serving around the world and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedoms and guard our founding principles.
It’s an honor to serve Louisiana in the U.S. Senate, where I’m constantly reminded of the rights our country has always stood for and those we have to fight to protect.
Wendy, our kids and I wish you a very safe and happy Independence Day weekend, and God bless.
