It is easy to sit back and to point fingers and to place blame. but this evening. we want to talk about and bring attention to the spirit of the people that were affected. both directly and indirectly by Hurricane Katrina. In the days after the hurricane. when it became clear that thousands of people would not be able to return to their homes. work began to find permanent shelter for these individuals. Thousands of refugees from Louisiana were given housing in manufactured housing that was purchased by FEMA and was stationed. actually. in my home State of Alabama in the State parks. The outpouring that came the following days of support from the local community was. I think. best described as just overwhelming. As soon as the people found out that the refugees were headed into our area. supplies were starting to be gathered together. and drives were started immediately as they were being organized. A member of my own staff organized one of those numerous drives on his own initiative. Thousands of pounds of food. of clothing. and personal hygiene products were collected. They were distributed to the people. and these people that were helped had little more than just the clothes on their back. I am also proud that. after this show of support. that many of the refugees decided to make the Fourth District. the district I represent. their home. In one particular case. a refugee from Louisiana ended up working for Desoto State Park. where she had been housed. Finally. the resilience of Alabamians who lived along the Gulf Coast was also inspiring as well. Though the Gulf Coast of Alabama was not the hardest hit of the region. the Gulf Coast of Alabama was severely impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
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