CONGRESSMAN LYNCH TRAVELS TO GULF COAST REGION TO REVIEW KATRINA RECOVERY EFFORT

On Sunday, September 18, Congressman Stephen F. Lynch, member of the Government Reform Committee, joined Committee Chairman Tom Davis (R-VA), Vice Chair Chris Shays (R-CT) and members of the Homeland Security Committee and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on a Congressional Delegation to the Gulf Coast region to survey damage from Hurricane Katrina.  In particular, Lynch focused on the humanitarian efforts underway and the long-term environmental hazards that the region will face.

The delegation reviewed recovery operations in New Orleans and other areas of Louisiana and Mississippi hit hardest by the storm.   One leg of the visit included a visit to the operations center aboard the air craft carrier, USS Iwo Jima, which was recently deployed to the Gulf area.  The delegation met with officials from FEMA and the National Guard, as well as first responders, environmental experts and other officials. 

Congressman Lynch serves on the House Government Reform Committee which is overseeing the investigation of the response to Hurricane Katrina, as well as the rescue and recovery efforts.  Lynch's trip marked his return to the same area where he worked as an ironworker at the Shell Oil Refinery in Norco, Louisiana during the 1980's.