Get E-Mail Updates

God's Politics Blog

Faith Leaders Urge Obama on Gulf Coast Recovery

by Desire Evans 10-19-2009 | 6:00pm
Print
8 Comments | Login or Register to post comments

091019-new-orleans-katrinaPresident Obama arrived in New Orleans last week for his first visit to the Gulf Coast since he won the presidency. In a letter released to coincide with his visit, more than 50 leading religious leaders and faith-based groups called on the Obama administration to take action to address challenges in the region.

Related Reading

Take Action on This Issue

Tell the Senate: Don't Cut International Aid

Please join us in telling the Senate: Protect foreign aid programs that help the poor and the needy. 

Faith and community leaders cite "significant gaps" towards meeting federal promises to Gulf Coast communities, and urge the president to focus on long-term hurricane recovery policy to tackle poverty, coastal erosion and climate change, according to their press statement.

As the Institute for Southern Studies explored in our 2008 report "Faith in the Gulf" [pdf], following the failed federal response to the 2005 disaster, it was community, nonprofit, and faith groups that mounted an unprecedented response that made them the go-to resource for tens of thousands of storm victims in the aftermath of the hurricanes.

The letter was organized by two such Louisiana-based interfaith coalitions -- All Congregations Together (ACT) and Bayou Interfaith Shared Community Organizing (BISCO). Mary Fontenot, executive director of the New Orleans chapter of ACT, told Facing South that many faith and community leaders are very optimistic that Obama will hear their calls for action. ACT was one of the groups that helped to coordinate two of Obama's prior visits to storm-ravaged communities like the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans following Katrina.

"When he was here last Obama made a commitment, a promise to us that he would be with us in rebuilding," Fontenot said. "We know he is sensitive to the needs we still face in the region, but we will hold him accountable to his promises and do our best to partner with him to make sure the region's needs are being met."

The signers include Rabbi Steve Gutow, Jewish Council for Public Affairs; Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, National Council of Churches; Sayyid M. Syeed, Islamic Society of North America; Sister Simone Campbell, NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby; Bishop Charles E. Blake, Church of God in Christ; Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, The Episcopal Church; Dr. Joel C. Hunter; Nancy Ratzan, National Council of Jewish Women; Rabbi David Saperstein, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; Rev. Jim Wallis, Sojourners; and Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins, Christian Church.

The letter also urges President Obama to look to a bipartisan bill, HR 2269, the Gulf Coast Civic Works Act, as a model for recovery policy. As Facing South reported, the legislation, inspired by New Deal public works projects, would create some 100,000 environmentally-sustainable jobs and training opportunities on the Gulf Coast that would allow residents and displaced people to rebuild critical infrastructure in their communities and restore natural coastal flood protection.

Click here to read the full text of the letter to President Obama.

Desiree Evans is Research Associate and Co-Editor of Facing South at the Institute for Southern Studies.

8 Comments | Login or Register to post comments
Sojourners relies on the support of readers like you to sustain our message and ministry.

Related Stories

Resources

Like what you're reading? Get Sojourners E-Mail updates!

by: Chris "Jesdisciple"

10-20-2009 @ 3:09am

Dig up the dirt there and use it somewhere else nearby. Maybe by the next storm it would be packed down enough to help the higher areas not flood. Mind you, I have no idea what I'm talking about but it's an idea.

But yeah, I think the unprecedented response by charities is great. Not only does that get the city rebuilt, but the missionaries build community and character, and witness to folks with open ears. I very much wonder whether the missionaries should finish the job or step aside for the government. Given that their momentum (money/people/enthusiasm) stays the same...

If they finish: They reinforce the city against the crime it's infamous for.

If they step aside: They might find a more receptive audience (less people have heard?), and be more efficient at evangelizing; The government gets another droplet in its ocean of debt.

But while I'm pretty sure momentum wouldn't go *up* because they left, it might go down. So... Does the increase in efficiency outweigh the loss of momentum? I dunno.

by: Joe_Allen_Doty

10-19-2009 @ 7:07pm

While the people who lived in New Orleans need to have homes of their own to live in, in my opinion re-building houses on property below the level of a lake and the level of the Mississippi River is like a person in the Bible rebuilding his house on the sand after the rains came and washed it away.

I don't make the same observation in regard to those who built houses above sea level and above the level of lakes and rivers where they lived and the houses were destroyed by hurricanes.

by: schroeder37

10-19-2009 @ 10:17pm

find it odd that they believe in global warming in which it is said will raise sea levels and yet insist they rebuild the ninth ward.
they speak of how the givernment failed in their responce, no doubt blaming bush, and not saying why it fails, REGIULATIONS, which the nongovernment intities did so well and so much quicker, yet insist on the government to take a bigger role. I dont get it.

by: Joe_Allen_Doty

10-19-2009 @ 7:07pm

While the people who lived in New Orleans need to have homes of their own to live in, in my opinion re-building houses on property below the level of a lake and the level of the Mississippi River is like a person in the Bible rebuilding his house on the sand after the rains came and washed it away.

I don't make the same observation in regard to those who built houses above sea level and above the level of lakes and rivers where they lived and the houses were destroyed by hurricanes.

by: Jesdisciple

10-20-2009 @ 1:09am

Dig up the dirt there and use it somewhere else nearby. Maybe by the next storm it would be packed down enough to help the higher areas not flood. Mind you, I have no idea what I'm talking about but it's an idea.

But yeah, I think the unprecedented response by charities is great. Not only does that get the city rebuilt, but the missionaries build community and character, and witness to folks with open ears. I very much wonder whether the missionaries should finish the job or step aside for the government. Given that their momentum (money/people/enthusiasm) stays the same...

If they finish: They reinforce the city against the crime it's infamous for.

If they step aside: They might find a more receptive audience, and be more efficient at evangelizing; The government gets another droplet in its ocean of debt.

But while I'm pretty sure momentum wouldn't go *up* because they left, it might go down. So... Does the increase in efficiency outweigh the loss of momentum? I dunno.

by: schroeder37

10-19-2009 @ 10:17pm

find it odd that they believe in global warming in which it is said will raise sea levels and yet insist they rebuild the ninth ward.
they speak of how the givernment failed in their responce, no doubt blaming bush, and not saying why it fails, REGIULATIONS, which the nongovernment intities did so well and so much quicker, yet insist on the government to take a bigger role. I dont get it.

by: Chris "Jesdisciple"

10-20-2009 @ 3:09am

Dig up the dirt there and use it somewhere else nearby. Maybe by the next storm it would be packed down enough to help the higher areas not flood. Mind you, I have no idea what I'm talking about but it's an idea.

But yeah, I think the unprecedented response by charities is great. Not only does that get the city rebuilt, but the missionaries build community and character, and witness to folks with open ears. I very much wonder whether the missionaries should finish the job or step aside for the government. Given that their momentum (money/people/enthusiasm) stays the same...

If they finish: They reinforce the city against the crime it's infamous for.

If they step aside: They might find a more receptive audience (less people have heard?), and be more efficient at evangelizing; The government gets another droplet in its ocean of debt.

But while I'm pretty sure momentum wouldn't go *up* because they left, it might go down. So... Does the increase in efficiency outweigh the loss of momentum? I dunno.

by: Jesdisciple

10-20-2009 @ 1:09am

Dig up the dirt there and use it somewhere else nearby. Maybe by the next storm it would be packed down enough to help the higher areas not flood. Mind you, I have no idea what I'm talking about but it's an idea.

But yeah, I think the unprecedented response by charities is great. Not only does that get the city rebuilt, but the missionaries build community and character, and witness to folks with open ears. I very much wonder whether the missionaries should finish the job or step aside for the government. Given that their momentum (money/people/enthusiasm) stays the same...

If they finish: They reinforce the city against the crime it's infamous for.

If they step aside: They might find a more receptive audience, and be more efficient at evangelizing; The government gets another droplet in its ocean of debt.

But while I'm pretty sure momentum wouldn't go *up* because they left, it might go down. So... Does the increase in efficiency outweigh the loss of momentum? I dunno.

Comments sorted by highest rated. After voting you must refresh your page to see the sort order change.

by: Joe_Allen_Doty

10-19-2009 @ 7:07pm

While the people who lived in New Orleans need to have homes of their own to live in, in my opinion re-building houses on property below the level of a lake and the level of the Mississippi River is like a person in the Bible rebuilding his house on the sand after the rains came and washed it away.

I don't make the same observation in regard to those who built houses above sea level and above the level of lakes and rivers where they lived and the houses were destroyed by hurricanes.

by: Joe_Allen_Doty

10-19-2009 @ 7:07pm

While the people who lived in New Orleans need to have homes of their own to live in, in my opinion re-building houses on property below the level of a lake and the level of the Mississippi River is like a person in the Bible rebuilding his house on the sand after the rains came and washed it away.

I don't make the same observation in regard to those who built houses above sea level and above the level of lakes and rivers where they lived and the houses were destroyed by hurricanes.

by: schroeder37

10-19-2009 @ 10:17pm

find it odd that they believe in global warming in which it is said will raise sea levels and yet insist they rebuild the ninth ward.
they speak of how the givernment failed in their responce, no doubt blaming bush, and not saying why it fails, REGIULATIONS, which the nongovernment intities did so well and so much quicker, yet insist on the government to take a bigger role. I dont get it.

by: schroeder37

10-19-2009 @ 10:17pm

find it odd that they believe in global warming in which it is said will raise sea levels and yet insist they rebuild the ninth ward.
they speak of how the givernment failed in their responce, no doubt blaming bush, and not saying why it fails, REGIULATIONS, which the nongovernment intities did so well and so much quicker, yet insist on the government to take a bigger role. I dont get it.

by: Jesdisciple

10-20-2009 @ 1:09am

Dig up the dirt there and use it somewhere else nearby. Maybe by the next storm it would be packed down enough to help the higher areas not flood. Mind you, I have no idea what I'm talking about but it's an idea.

But yeah, I think the unprecedented response by charities is great. Not only does that get the city rebuilt, but the missionaries build community and character, and witness to folks with open ears. I very much wonder whether the missionaries should finish the job or step aside for the government. Given that their momentum (money/people/enthusiasm) stays the same...

If they finish: They reinforce the city against the crime it's infamous for.

If they step aside: They might find a more receptive audience, and be more efficient at evangelizing; The government gets another droplet in its ocean of debt.

But while I'm pretty sure momentum wouldn't go *up* because they left, it might go down. So... Does the increase in efficiency outweigh the loss of momentum? I dunno.

by: Jesdisciple

10-20-2009 @ 1:09am

Dig up the dirt there and use it somewhere else nearby. Maybe by the next storm it would be packed down enough to help the higher areas not flood. Mind you, I have no idea what I'm talking about but it's an idea.

But yeah, I think the unprecedented response by charities is great. Not only does that get the city rebuilt, but the missionaries build community and character, and witness to folks with open ears. I very much wonder whether the missionaries should finish the job or step aside for the government. Given that their momentum (money/people/enthusiasm) stays the same...

If they finish: They reinforce the city against the crime it's infamous for.

If they step aside: They might find a more receptive audience, and be more efficient at evangelizing; The government gets another droplet in its ocean of debt.

But while I'm pretty sure momentum wouldn't go *up* because they left, it might go down. So... Does the increase in efficiency outweigh the loss of momentum? I dunno.

by: Chris "Jesdisciple"

10-20-2009 @ 3:09am

Dig up the dirt there and use it somewhere else nearby. Maybe by the next storm it would be packed down enough to help the higher areas not flood. Mind you, I have no idea what I'm talking about but it's an idea.

But yeah, I think the unprecedented response by charities is great. Not only does that get the city rebuilt, but the missionaries build community and character, and witness to folks with open ears. I very much wonder whether the missionaries should finish the job or step aside for the government. Given that their momentum (money/people/enthusiasm) stays the same...

If they finish: They reinforce the city against the crime it's infamous for.

If they step aside: They might find a more receptive audience (less people have heard?), and be more efficient at evangelizing; The government gets another droplet in its ocean of debt.

But while I'm pretty sure momentum wouldn't go *up* because they left, it might go down. So... Does the increase in efficiency outweigh the loss of momentum? I dunno.

by: Chris "Jesdisciple"

10-20-2009 @ 3:09am

Dig up the dirt there and use it somewhere else nearby. Maybe by the next storm it would be packed down enough to help the higher areas not flood. Mind you, I have no idea what I'm talking about but it's an idea.

But yeah, I think the unprecedented response by charities is great. Not only does that get the city rebuilt, but the missionaries build community and character, and witness to folks with open ears. I very much wonder whether the missionaries should finish the job or step aside for the government. Given that their momentum (money/people/enthusiasm) stays the same...

If they finish: They reinforce the city against the crime it's infamous for.

If they step aside: They might find a more receptive audience (less people have heard?), and be more efficient at evangelizing; The government gets another droplet in its ocean of debt.

But while I'm pretty sure momentum wouldn't go *up* because they left, it might go down. So... Does the increase in efficiency outweigh the loss of momentum? I dunno.