CCANO Oil Spill Recovery Expert to Testify at Senate Hearing

Tom Costanza to outline critical needs

NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Tom Costanza, Executive Director of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans Office of Justice and Peace, will testify in Washington, D.C. before the U.S. Senate Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery on Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 1:30 PM. The committee, chaired by Senator Mary Landrieu, will evaluate the progress made and the challenges remaining for oil spill claimants and social service providers, such as Catholic Charities.

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"Our fishermen are still suffering tremendous effects as a result of the BP oil spill. The claims process is cumbersome and doesn't weigh the unique and special needs of the fishermen. People can't wait any longer for help," said Costanza. Catholic Charities is providing assistance to fishermen and their families through five oil spill relief centers in Jefferson, St. Bernard, Plaquemines and Orleans Parishes. Since May 1, 2010, Catholic Charities mental health counselors have logged more than 13,000 visits with those struggling to handle the disaster. Catholic Charities has also provided direct financial assistance totaling nearly $350,000. Along with its affiliated ministry, Second Harvest Food Bank, Catholic Charities has provided almost $2,000,000 in food to those in need.

Costanza will discuss the ongoing challenges of the fishing communities and make recommendations for additional funding and resources needed to continue and expand assistance to families whose livelihoods have been hard hit by the oil spill.

A copy of Costanza's remarks will be available after the hearing. Costanza will be available for local interviews Friday, January 28, 2011.

About Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans is an umbrella agency with 42 programs and three affiliated ministries delivering health and human services to the poor and vulnerable. Catholic Charities services are rooted in the eight civil parishes of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, with food and nutrition services benefitting the entire state of Louisiana. Catholic Charities serves the homeless, hungry, the elderly, at-risk youth, pregnant women, individuals with developmental delays, and many more. For more information, please visit www.ccano.org.

SOURCE Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans