[Mb-civic] CBC News - LOUISIANA SENATOR: THANK YOU CANADA

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LOUISIANA SENATOR: THANK YOU CANADA
WebPosted Thu Sep  8 07:09:06 2005

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A Louisiana state senator has praised a Canadian search and rescue team.
Senator Walter Boasso said a Vancouver-based team reached St. Bernard
parish five days before the U.S. army got there.

"Fabulous, fabulous guys," Boasso said. "They started rolling with us and
got in boats to save people ... We've got Canadian flags flying
everywhere."

RELATED STORY: 20,000 Canadian cots sent for hurricane relief

The suburb of 68,000 people was initially ignored by U.S. authorities who
were scrambling to get aid to New Orleans. Boasso said floodwater in his
parish is still 2.4 metres deep in some places.

He said residents of the outlying parishes had to mount their own rescue
and relief efforts when Hurricane Katrina struck last week.

The U.S. government response to the disaster has been widely criticized.
Some politicians and editorial writers have called for the resignation of
top Bush administration officials.

Boasso saved his praise for the Canadians and their quick work. "They
were so glad to be here," he said. "They're still here. They are actually
going door-to-door looking in the attics" for people to rescue.

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