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Release Date: December 19, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact: Press Office
(202) 572-8890
NEW ORLEANS -- The President’s top official for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, Donald E. Powell, today participated in the demolition kicking off the official start of the Recovery School District Quick Start Initiative.
Powell emphasized the ongoing progress of the Quick Start Initiative as critical to the long-term recovery of the area and urged local and grassroots leaders to maintain vigilance in driving the process. Powell also highlighted the cooperation between government entities at every level in fulfilling Superintendent Pastorek’s commitment to streamline the construction of new schools.
“I am proud to see the results of what leadership can do when working together at all levels - federal, state and local - to provide crucial federal dollars, while simultaneously developing both short-term and long-term master plans for rebuilding the city’s education system. This serves as a model for revitalization efforts,” said Powell. “I also want to recognize the integral role of individual citizens and non-profit education organizations which have enhanced this process, to the benefit of every resident of this great city, and which continues to demonstrate your deep commitment to not only rebuilding your schools, but to improving them.”
State Superintendent of Schools, Paul Pastorek, FEMA Director of State Operations, Jim Stark, and FEMA Program Lead of Public Assistance, John Connolly have demonstrated remarkable commitment and vision in developing a master plan that consolidates project worksheets and simplifies reimbursements to RSD.
Powell further remarked Pastorek’s leadership in the short-term recovery effort. “Superintendent Pastorek demonstrated the resolve that was necessary to provide enough seats to accommodate the number of students in the New Orleans public school system this year,” Powell stated. “The steps he’s taken have likely had a profound, albeit immeasurable, effect on the lives of this city’s youth.”
For the last two years, the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding has been engaged in facilitating and streamlining various components of the recovery effort, providing key federal support and resources to local leaders, and reinforcing the federal government's commitment to the people of the Gulf Coast.
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This page was last reviewed/modified on December 19, 2007.