President Bush was back in New Orleans this week to observe the sad anniversary of the storm and its aftermath. Sen. Kerry issued this statement in response to the President's remarks on this sad anniversary visit:

President Bush showed once again that he hasn’t learned the lessons of Katrina. Empty claims ring hollow to the survivors of Katrina still struggling to get back on their feet. While the President hailed the progress made by Louisiana schools, less than twenty percent of the money needed to rebuild the schools has been pledged to New Orleans. The Gulf Coast needs a sustained federal effort to help small businesses and homeowners return and rebuild. It’s time for President Bush to listen to his own advice and make a real commitment to Gulf Coast recovery.

This anniversary should not pass without acknowledging the incredible contributions of thousands of volunteers from religious, civic and charitable organizations who have gone to New Orleans and other affected areas in order to help others. Americans have donated time, money and vacations in order to assist other people who are in need. This past November I had a chance to see photographs that a family member from Central Massachusetts had taken of a Church-sponsored rebuilding trip to the Crescent City a year ago July. Volunteers were in New Orleans for a week at a time and donned hazmat suits in 100 degree temperatures in order to clean and bleach houses to rid them of rot and mold. These wonderful acts of kindness and compassion, replicated by people from across the country, represent the best of America and and the American spirit. What a difference from the false praise, buck-passing and abandonment that marked so much of the official response to Katrina from the Bush Administration. The people of the Gulf Coast and the people of America deserved better two years ago and they deserve better now.