12:15 PM CDT on Friday, September 16, 2005

U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon issued a statement today after President George Bush visited St. Bernard parish. Melancon's district, including St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes, was particularly hard hit by Hurricane Katrina.

On September 4th of last week, the Congressman extended an invitation to President Bush to tour affected parts of the district. "People in Plaquemines Parish, St. Bernard Parish and other affected area in Southeast Louisiana's 3rd District need to see that the federal government has not forgotten them," he said then of the invitation. "We need all the federal support we can get, and the only way to understand that is to witness it first hand."

In reaction to today's visit, Melancon released the following statement:

"I am very pleased that the President was able to see first hand the situation in St. Bernard Parish. When I invited him, it was with the hope that being on the ground would help him understand just how serious the situation there is.

"I wish he had been able today to meet with residents and officials of St. Bernard as I did. The thousands of displaced citizens who were at the State Capitol this afternoon told the real story what's happening. I wish the President had been able to hear their frustrations, but also their courage as they face the challenges of the future. Their homes and businesses may be underwater but the community of St. Bernard is alive and well.

"As this tragedy moves into the next phase of recovery and rebuilding, it is vital that parishes like St. Bernard are not forgotten as they were in the early days of the Katrina crisis. Rather, they deserve attention at the highest levels of government."