Cross-posted at the JEFP Blog
John Edwards is in New Orleans where he will kick off his "Road to One America" Tour tomorrow morning. On the Road to One America Tour, John Edwards will visit 11 cities in 8 different states to shine a light on the problem of poverty in America, and highlight solutions to restore economic fairness.
This is something we can do if we work together. We can create opportunity and reward work to end this injustice. But we have to face the hard truth that one in 8 of our fellow citizens live in poverty - that's 37 million Americans - and it's a disgrace. We know that America is better than that, and we know we have a responsibility to each other to do something about this problem. John Edwards has offered a plan to end poverty in America in 30 years and his travels on the Road to One America will focus on some of the steps that will get us there.
Tonight, Senator Edwards will join community leaders of New Orleans for a walking tour of the Lower 9th Ward which is still facing an uphill battle as it attempts to recover and rebuild from the heartbreaking devastation Hurricane Katrina and the utterly shameful lack of response from President Bush - who stood in Jackson Square 22 months ago and promised to rebuild New Orleans.
Yet, despite that promise made on national television, New Orleans still struggles. Vast stretches of the city remain deserted. Mail delivery indicates the city's population is barely 60 percent of what it once was and according to the latest date from FEMA, more than 80,000 families from the Gulf are still living in FEMA trailers.
Senator Edwards said:
"We are not the country of the Superdome in New Orleans after Katrina We can do better. We have a moral responsibility to get New Orleans back on its feet."
However, the pace of recovery is slow. The displaced African-American population, in particular, has been slow to return. The economy is growing stronger, but the availability of affordable housing and services are significant barriers to residents returning. Employment is down in the sectors where many moderate-income displaced residents worked, like health care and the public sector, including education. Murders have spiked. And at the end of this past school year, only 45 percent of New Orleans public schools operating pre-Katrina had re-opened.
In New Orleans, Senator Edwards will unveil his three-point plan to rebuild the city. The plan seeks to address the question of recovery with a focus on rebuilding infrastructure, creating jobs and keeping the city safe from future storms and rising crime.
Rebuild: The rebuilding of infrastructure in New Orleans is stalled. The city needs new hospitals, clinics, schools and roads. John Edwards will call for building a new Veterans' hospital downtown, call on the VA to stop delaying site selection and choose downtown New Orleans, and then fast-track the design process so construction can begin. He will also propose building a 21st century infrastructure, integrating new housing, and preserving livable housing.
Create: Edwards believes we need to create good jobs in New Orleans. He will propose hiring 50,000 Gulf Coast residents to fill stepping stone jobs dedicated to rebuilding infrastructure that will help local and returning residents gain skills and experience. He will also protect workers from contractor exploitation.
Protect: Finally, Edwards believes we need to protect the city and the region from weather and crime. As president, Edwards will do whatever is necessary to ensure that Katrina never happens again, including building stronger levees and restoring coastal wetlands. Following Katrina, New Orleans has experienced an epidemic in violence. Edwards will strengthen public safety to end the epidemic of crime and violence.
Beginning the Road to One America tour in New Orleans is just another way in which Senator Edwards has continued to draw attention to the city's struggle to recover. Following Hurricane Katrina, Senator Edwards visited New Orleans where he attended a community meeting in the 9th Ward. Months later, he brought 700 college students to help work on recovery and rebuilding efforts during spring break. In December, he announced his candidacy for President from New Orleans and he recently spent time working with Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans.
For more details on John Edwards' plan to rebuild New Orleans, check out this fact sheet.
Full Disclosure: I very proudly am working to Build One America with John Edwards. We'll have updates from the Road to One America tour all week long on JohnEdwards.com, I hope you come over and check it out!