(Washington, DC) - House Democratic Caucus Vice Chair James E. Clyburn (D-SC) issued the following statement in response to President Bush's speech tonight from New Orleans.

"The President delivered a well-written speech with comforting words and sincere offers of assistance.  But his speech lacked the integral component that has been missing throughout this tragic ordeal - an oversight mechanism that is ultimately responsible for insuring effective implementation of federal policy.  Without an independent agency with a qualified administrator overseeing the recovery effort, our nation runs the risk of failing the Gulf coast region a second time."

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