"There have been numerous studies about Katrina and Rita, without any clear direction of how to prevent a flood control system failure in the future. These studies have not adequately zeroed in on the crucial question of how our levees failed us, and the IPET report chaired by the Corps itself did not provide the completely independent examination that is required.
"An analysis similar to that by the 9-11 Commission is the only route to uncovering how 1,071 lives were lost and 786,372 people were displaced when the federal government's levee system failed to protect us. While my efforts to add the commission as an amendment to the 2007 water resources bill were met by partisan objection, I will continue to push this year for a thorough and independent analysis of the events leading up to August 29, 2005.
"When Congress returns from recess next week, I will introduce a standalone 8/29 Commission bill, and will work with our delegation to get it passed in Congress and signed into law. I commend Levees.org for speaking up and working so diligently to keep focused on the many outstanding questions in the wake of the storms."