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Scalise announces creation of Congressional Gulf Coast Caucus

March 10, 2011

Washington, DC -- Congressman Steve Scalise today announced the creation of the bipartisan Congressional Gulf Coast Caucus. Serving as founding co-chair of the Caucus with Scalise is Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL).

“The BP disaster emphasized the need for those of us along the Gulf Coast to work together to address common problems, and it became evident to me that a Gulf Coast Caucus would help our region recover and also provide a forum for Gulf State Members of Congress to work on legislation that benefits all of our states,” Scalise said. “The Gulf Coast is unlike any other region in the nation and is home to a vibrant culture, unique resources, and hardworking Americans. This Caucus will allow Members throughout the Gulf region to work together to address some of the unique problems that face our region. I am proud to be a founding co-chair of the Congressional Gulf Coast Caucus and will continue fighting to ensure that the importance of Louisiana and the entire Gulf region is recognized by Congress.”

“Rep. Steve Scalise and I will work together, in a bipartisan way, to protect the jobs and interests of our communities,” Castor said. “Small businesses, the tourism industry, the environment and fishermen continue to suffer from the oil disaster. Working together with other members of the Gulf Coast Caucus, we will be stronger in finding ways to protect and revive the Gulf by focusing on oil-related restoration and recovery, hurricane response efforts, tourism and seafood marketing.”

“Congressman Scalise and Congresswoman Castor have the full support of Greater New Orleans, Inc. in the establishment of the bipartisan Congressional Gulf Coast Caucus, which will provide members of Congress with the opportunity to ensure the economic vitality of the Gulf Coast,” said Michael Hecht, President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. “The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Disaster made it imperative for the Gulf Coast region to work together toward coastal restoration, creating jobs and spurring economic growth along the entire Gulf Coast, and this caucus is a great forum for that discussion.”

The Congressional Gulf Coast Caucus will serve as a bipartisan caucus in the House of Representatives that will focus on, and promote, policies and legislation that benefit the Gulf Coast region. Among the policies and legislation that the Caucus will focus on is the Gulf Coast Restoration Act, authored by Scalise, which dedicates at least 80 percent of the fines assessed to BP under the Clean Water Act to Gulf States for the purpose of coastal and ecosystem restoration.

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Contact: Stephen Bell
202-226-9113