Speech of Senator Harry S. Truman at New Orleans, Louisiana

Oserton Senaters O Brooks Whitting ton etc. SPEECH OF HONORABLE HARRY S. TRUMAN Release on delivery before IMPORTANCE OF FLOOD CONTROL Nississinni Valley Flood Control NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA Association at 1 r00 n.m. Central OCTOBER 1a, 1944 War Time, October 12, 1944 at New Orleans. Senator Overton - Members of the Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association, ladies and gentlemen: It is with great pleasure that I am meeting with you today. Your efforts in behalf of the people of the great Mississippi Valley and in the development of this inland empire, are known to the people of this section. They are also known to the Members of Congress and to the officials of your government in Washington. Your activities are truly a servico not only to the people of this great valley but to the people of the nation - yes even to all the free peoples of the world. When the prosent administration took office yohr voides were heard in the council chambers of your National Capitol. Your problems were given a sympathetic ear. For the first time in this nation's history there was enacted by a Democratic Administration a national flood-control policy. For the first time in our history a program was developed which would afford protection to this vast area as well as other sections of our country against the ravages of flood waters. Programs are not enough. Programs have to be carried forth into action. In my opinion, based upon personal experiences and obsorvations, flood control is one of our country's greatest needs in the field of public works. It must be given a number one priority in any notional post-war program. Everyone should recognize that dostruction by floods constitutes a menace to our national welfare, second only to war itself. One of the most important factors which enabled our "democracy to enact a war production miracle, a miracle, which astounded the world, was the national protection and development projects built along the great inland waterways of our nation. Looking back over the past years the nation has suffered a series of widespread and damaging floods. These floods have emphasized more than-ever before that the devastation and economic loss from such disasters cannot be exaggerated nor the loss regained. I do not need and Ohio recall to your memory that the lower Missouri and the upper Mississippi rivers in the A past few years have experienced floods approaching all time records. Because of wartime requirements construction of flood-control projects has of necessity, been curtailed since Pearl Harbor. Work upon partially completed TRUMAN ARCHIVES **NATIONAL RECORDS SERVICE" AND