For Immediate Release:
Contact: Jeffrey Buchanan, RFK Center, 202-463-7575 ext 241 buchanan@rfkmemorial.org
Charles Jackson, ACORN, 504-994-4669 acorncomm@acorn.org
Dr. Scott Myers-Lipton, GCCWP, 510-508-5382 smlipton@sjsu.edu

National Coalition Endorses Gulf Coast Civic Works Act, Local Residents and Businesses to Return and Rebuild Infrastructure
The Gulf Coast Civic Work Project, a coalition including ACORN Louisiana, a national student and faculty network and RFK Memorial Center for Human Rights, endorses legislation for a citizen driven recovery to rebuild Gulf Coast communities and thanks Representatives Zoe Lofgren, Charlie Melancon, and Gene Taylor

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Gulf Coast Civic Work Project fully supports Bill HR 4048, see bill summary. The Gulf Coast Civic Works Act of 2007, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives today. ACORN Louisiana, RFK Memorial Center for Human Rights and the national network of student and faculty supporters would like to thank Representatives Zoe Lofgren (CA), Charlie Melancon (LA), and Gene Taylor (MS) for their leadership in introducing this groundbreaking legislation offering a renewed federal commitment to rebuilding the Gulf Coast and empowering the region’s greatest assets, the disaster’s survivors.

This legislation would create stronger and more equitable communities by funding and implementing critical infrastructure projects, directly creating 100,000 jobs for displaced and current residents. The bill creates partnerships to rebuild neighborhoods across the region devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, including Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

“Communities across the Gulf Coast suffer from crumbling roads and water systems, ill constructed flood protection, and closed police stations, fire house, schools and hospitals,” says Stephen Bradberry, head state organizer of ACORN Louisiana, the region’s largest association of low and middle income families. “We have an opportunity to jumpstart the recovery by empowering communities with the resources they need to lead.”

The bill addresses the community infrastructure needs, including education, public safety and transportation, which have kept displaced families from returning. It promotes sustainable economic development by giving priority to local businesses for contracts, promoting workforce development and upgrading services while providing opportunities for returning and displaced residents to pull themselves into the middle class through living wage jobs and apprenticeships.

“During the New Deal the federal government partnered with communities to create 4 million jobs in two months building or repairing thousands of hospitals, schools, and playgrounds through public works programs,” says Dr. Scott Myers-Lipton, San Jose State professor and Gulf Coast Civic Works Project organizer. “This is exactly what the Gulf Coast now needs.”

Through a Civilian Conservation Corps inspired program, youth workers 17-24 will engage in environmental programs to rebuild wetlands and promote a healthy environment. Innovative local advisory bodies ensure community participation in a citizen driven recovery.

“This bill is a critical step towards restoring human rights in the Gulf Coast,” said Monika Kalra Varma, Director of the RFK Memorial Center for Human Rights. “With this bill, Congress has the opportunity to help disaster survivors realize their human rights to return and participate in rebuilding their communities.”

Source: Gulf Coast Civic Works Project (www.solvingpoverty.com)
ACORN Louisiana (http://acorn.org/index.php?id=8219)
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights (http://www.rfkmemorial.org)