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September 15, 2008

CONTACT:
Seth Harvey
(225) 342-8153
sharvey@crt.state.la.us

Baton Rouge, LA - At Governor Bobby Jindal's request, Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu and Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain will travel to Washington, DC on Tuesday, September 16th to lead the state's efforts to secure hurricane recovery funding.

Hurricane Gustav made landfall on Louisiana's coast on September 1. The storm made its way through the state, causing power outages in two-thirds of commercial and residential facilities. Estimates place Hurricane Gustav's economic losses as high as $15 billion, including $10 billion in property damage and $5 billion in lost economic activity. Roughly 97,000 employers, 80% of the total in Louisiana, suffered economic losses.

Hurricane Ike made landfall on September 13, causing flooding throughout southwest and coastal Louisiana. Officials are currently assessing damage in affected areas.

"Under the Governor's leadership, we are taking a bipartisan approach to recovery from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. This is one team, one fight," said Landrieu. "These two powerful storms impacted our entire state, and each storm brought unique challenges. In the days and weeks ahead, we will work to keep Louisiana's recovery at the forefront of the national agenda."

Louisiana's farmers were among those hardest hit by Hurricane Gustav. Commissioner Mike Strain feels Louisiana's farms can come back to pre-hurricane production with the help of our federal government.

"This has been a tough year for Louisiana's farmers," said Strain. "These storms have heavily damaged the crops, livestock and aquaculture in our state. We're asking Congress to give our state's agriculture the boost it needs to continue to be a robust part of our economy."

The Louisiana Delegation will travel to Washington D.C. on September 16, 2008 to request assistance in upcoming stimulus legislation or other legislative vehicles in congress. The delegation will work with congressional leaders on many issues, including increasing the federal cost share for FEMA assistance, infrastructure repair, coastal restoration, agriculture and fisheries disaster assistance, economic recovery, emergency preparedness, and healthcare and social services.