Speech #810179534

Atchafalaya. and other tributaries of the Mississippi. All of these figures indicate that a further rise and consequential flood damage is to be expected. The National Guard has been called out in certain areas. and tented cities have been laid out to take care of flood refugees. Last year I read of the criticisms of some. who referred to flood control and navigation projects as "porkbarrel" legislation. I have no patience for these criticisms. Those who would level such criticisms should now take time out to go down to the great State of Louisiana and try to traverse the major highways there which are under water. look out over the land. covered with the swollen. muddy. ugly waters. visit the tented cities of flood refugees. and note the frantic efforts of cattle as they look for high ground to save their lives. These people. who have in the past been critical. should visit this area and note the distress and the hardship and the privation visited upon these people in my State. who have been thus penalized through no fault of their own. but merely because through our rivers we are seeking to drain the floodwaters of 32 States of the United States. They will go away as strong advocates of the Federal Government meeting this situation by full appropriations in the working out of the major floodcontrol and navigation plans. which will make our rivers servants of mankind rather than the destroyers of our people and our property.