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Bush sees post-Katrina progress Bush sees post-Katrina progress
(30 minutes later)
President George W Bush is to speak about "hopeful signs" of progress in New Orleans, three years on from the destruction of Hurricane Katrina. President George W Bush has said "hope is coming back" to New Orleans three years on from the destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina.
But Mr Bush, who is due in the city later in the day, will also say much work remains to be done, according to an advanced copy of his speech. Mr Bush, speaking during a visit to the city, said recovery was being boosted by $126bn (£67.5bn) in aid given to the US Gulf coast region.
He arrives from Florida where he was to address military veterans. But he acknowledged that much work remained to be done.
Katrina hit the US Gulf coast on 29 August 2005, claiming some 1,800 lives in Louisiana and Mississippi. Katrina struck on 29 August 2005, leaving some 1,800 people dead in Louisiana and Mississippi.
Much of New Orleans was flooded after levees broke under the pressure of the storm.Much of New Orleans was flooded after levees broke under the pressure of the storm.
Katrina was one the costliest hurricanes in US history, causing hundreds of billions of dollars in damage.Katrina was one the costliest hurricanes in US history, causing hundreds of billions of dollars in damage.
'Brighter day''Brighter day'
In his speech, to be delivered at 1420 local time (1920 GMT), President Bush will say that $126bn (£67.5bn) has been spent to help the Gulf coast recover.
The loss of life and property in the wake of Katrina stunned the USThe loss of life and property in the wake of Katrina stunned the US
"There is still a lot of work to do before this city is fully recovered," Mr Bush will say. "Who would have thought three years after the storm the president could come and say, 'New Orleans, Louisiana, is on its way back as a stronger and better city'," President Bush said during his visit on Wednesday.
"And for people who are still hurting and not yet back in their homes, a brighter day might seem impossible. Yet a brighter day is coming and it is heralded by hopeful signs of progress." "I think the message here today is hope is being restored. Hope is coming back," he said.
Mr Bush's visit, nine days before the actual anniversary, is his 11th to the region since Katrina, a strong category three hurricane with winds of 140mph (225km/h), battered coastal regions. "There are people hurting. I fully understand that; people waiting to get back in their home, wondering whether a brighter day is possible. Yet a brighter day is coming."
Mr Bush's visit, nine days before the actual anniversary, was his 11th to the region since Katrina, a strong category three hurricane with winds of 140mph (225km/h), battered coastal regions.
The political legacy of the hurricane still lingers. The Bush administration's slow response to the unfolding catastrophe provoked huge criticism, especially from African-Americans who argued that race was a factor in the slowness of rescue and recovery operations.The political legacy of the hurricane still lingers. The Bush administration's slow response to the unfolding catastrophe provoked huge criticism, especially from African-Americans who argued that race was a factor in the slowness of rescue and recovery operations.
Critics also say the federal government is still failing to deliver sufficient help.