WASHINGTON, DC --- U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) announced today that he, along with Majority Leader Bill Frist ®-TN), Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and other members of the Senate, will tour damaged areas of the Gulf Coast affected by Hurricane Katrina on Friday, September 16.

Senator Shelby said, “I believe this is an important opportunity to show my colleagues the extent of the devastation that Alabama and the Gulf Coast experienced from Hurricane Katrina. As we consider additional relief packages to meet the specific needs of communities across the Gulf Coast, it is critical that Senators witness the devastation first-hand.”

In addition to Senators Shelby, Frist and Reid, the following Senators will visit the region: Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS), Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT), Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Senator David Vitter ®-LA), and Senator John Warner (R-VA).

The Senators will hold the following media availabilities:

New Orleans, LA: 11:30 am CT, Harrah’s Casino; 8 Canal Street

Pass Christian, MS: 1:00 pm CT, Location TBD

Mobile, AL: 4:15 pm CT, Mobile Regional Airport

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