WAKE UP AND SMELL THE FORMALDEHYDE, BOBBY!

Friday, May 18, 2007

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Julie Vezinot

May 18, 2007 225-336-4155

WAKE UP AND SMELL THE FORMALDEHYDE, BOBBY!

BATON ROUGE - Only after an investigative report by CBS News shed light on the issue of formaldehyde toxic fumes in FEMA trailers does Bobby Jindal take notice of the 21-month-old problem and demand answers, said Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman Chris Whittington.

“Evacuees forced to live in FEMA trailers after losing their homes to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have complained for over a year about the unbearable fumes which cause eye and nose irritation, nose bleeds, and respiratory problems. It was Congressman Charlie Melancon, along with Congressman Henry Waxman who last August demanded an explanation of FEMA Director David Paulison – NOT Jindal,” said Whittington.

According to FEMA, as of May 18, 2007, somewhere between 11,000 and 12,000 FEMA travel trailers, park model units and mobile homes remain in Louisiana housing over 49,000 families displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

“Jindal who sits on the powerful House Committee on Homeland Security has had every opportunity since his appointment to investigate this issue and has chosen to ignore it. Only now, as he realizes he needs the votes of these evacuees does he take notice and claim concern,” Whittington said.”

As Paulison addressed the committee only this week, Jindal chose to tend to “other obligations” and missed the meeting; dodging an opportunity to challenge the FEMA director on the formaldehyde issue.

“For Jindal to tell his constituents and all the people of Louisiana he is “astonished” at this finding is hypocritical and patronizing. Perhaps if Jindal had visited one of his constituents living in FEMA trailers in all these months since the hurricanes, the problem would have left him gasping for air as well, rather than grappling for votes instead,” Whittington said.

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