FONO Responds to the State of the Union Address
January 29, 2008: Friends of New Orleans (FONO) welcomes the announcement from President Bush in his State of the Union speech last night that New Orleans will be the site of the North American Summit this April, particularly since the city was recently overlooked as a site to host a presidential debate next fall. While the Summit will give the city another chance to show that it is indeed capable of accommodating large events, as it did successfully for the Sugar Bowl and the BCS Championship earlier this month, it is imperative that the administration and Congress place a greater focus on the region in 2008.
To ensure the region is safer and stronger for the long-term, we must continue to support the true drivers of the rebuilding effort: the citizens, the neighborhood associations and the nonprofit organizations working tirelessly in the region.
Beginning next month, FONO will highlight the work of these organizations through our "Heroes of the Storm" program and demonstrate to the nation that these resilient residents are not just waiting on a handout, but are working tirelessly on the ground to build safer and stronger communities. In addition to rebuilding their own homes and businesses, they have banded together to form organizations to help repair the city's services and infrastructure, as well as preserve the historic arts and culture found only in New Orleans and its surrounding parishes.
Without doubt, the strength and resilience of the Gulf Coast residents should be honored, and conferences, summits and other large events should take advantage of the unique setting the city of New Orleans has to offer; however, we must also look closely at both the successes and challenges these groups face on the ground, and learn from their accomplishments in the wake of this unprecedented disaster.
Beginning next month, FONO will highlight the work of these organizations through our "Heroes of the Storm" program and demonstrate to the nation that these resilient residents are not just waiting on a handout, but are working tirelessly on the ground to build safer and stronger communities. In addition to rebuilding their own homes and businesses, they have banded together to form organizations to help repair the city's services and infrastructure, as well as preserve the historic arts and culture found only in New Orleans and its surrounding parishes.
Without doubt, the strength and resilience of the Gulf Coast residents should be honored, and conferences, summits and other large events should take advantage of the unique setting the city of New Orleans has to offer; however, we must also look closely at both the successes and challenges these groups face on the ground, and learn from their accomplishments in the wake of this unprecedented disaster.
