PROGRESS!
Thanks in part to the tens of thousands of letters people wrote in response to our request for letters to be sent to Congress demanding action on the Gulf Coast, we're now one step closer to a meaningful investment by the federal government to make things right!Representative Zoe Lofgren of California introduced HR 2269, the Gulf Coast Civic Works Act on May 6th -- this legislation would create 100,000 "green" living wage jobs and training opportunities for Gulf Coast residents and displaced people to rebuild critical infrastructure, restore natural flood protection and increase energy efficiency.
"This legislation, with its focus on enlisting communities and expanding opportunity, provides the Obama Administration and Congress with an effective new model for disaster recovery and infrastructure development," said Dr. Scott Myers-Lipton, co-founder of the Gulf Coast Civic Works project. The bill would create 100,000 jobs, generate opportunities to rebuild the infrastructure, and restore flood protection measures.
Poverty and unemployment had long ravaged the Gulf Coast before the hurricanes in 2005 exposed and intensified the region's problems. Families across Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas continue to endure homelessness, abusive labor practices, the collapse of local institutions, rampant inequality and environmental degradation.
The introduction of this bill is a crucial first step. If you haven't yet written to Congress about this, please do so now: Take Action
And invite your friends, family members, and neighbors to write to Congress and ask his or her representatives to support the bill: http://www.troublethewaterfilm.com/inviteafriend
This legislation will help to rebuild more economically, socially and environmentally sustainable communities in the region. And every friend you invite to speak out for the Gulf Coast is another voice for change.
Thank you!
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