Friday, April 21, 2006                                                                               Printable Version (PDF)

 

Sacramento, CA - Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (CA-5) issued the following statement during President George W. Bush’s visit to Northern California.

 

“I am pleased that President Bush will be visiting the Sacramento region this weekend.  During this trip he will be able to see our wonderful city and all that we offer for the families that live and work in Sacramento, as well as the Capitol of the fifth largest economy in the world. 

 

“Sacramento is protected by an intricate levee system, which the President should look closely at, because if one piece fails, the entire system is at risk.  And in Sacramento, we have some critical sites that we must urgently address. If funds are made available, those sites could be strengthened this year, but the Army Corps of Engineers does not have the funds necessary.  Those funds have been added to the Supplemental Appropriations Bill now in the Senate.

 

“I am encouraged by the President’s efforts to expedite the work to repair Sacramento’s levees, but there is more that can be done this year.  Although the President has called for strong funding in next year’s budget, the Corps needs additional funds now to complete critical flood protection projects.  I would urge the President to seek additional funding this fiscal year and support Congressional efforts already underway to fund the federal portion of Sacramento’s flood protection needs in the Supplemental Appropriations bill.

 

“What benefit is there to waiting?  Ours is the most at-risk river city in the nation, and Sacramento facing one of its wettest winters on record, should not be unnecessarily at risk any longer than need be.”

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