Gulf Coast Reconstruction

President Bush visited the Gulf Coast region hit by Hurricane Katrina in August. He was seen leaving from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland and driving into the city of New Orleans. In New Orleans, the President spoke briefly while meeting with local leaders to discuss reconstruction efforts. He spoke about the need to local leaders to devise the reconstruction plans in which the federal government could become partners. He said that Congress needed to restore the appropriation levels needed to rebuild the levees and revitalize the economy and to create favorable conditions, including by tax and economic policies. He spoke encouragingly about the improvements he had seen since his last visit. His next stop was the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The drive to Bay St. Louis took his motorcade along the Mississippi coastline, where the condition of the area was visible from the cars. close