It's almost the 1 year anniversary of the horrific hurricane that devestated New Orleans on the 29th of August, plunging a historic and beautiful city into chaos and despair for many, many months after. Even now, it's not over.

I just want to say how happy I am that our Tir friend, McGuire, and his own family made it through to still be with us today.

I know it's not been an easy road for anyone involved in the clean up and recovery, and still it seems that New Orleanians are struggling to gain adequate assistance from appropriate government agencies to really make a measurable difference.

McG, your committment to your city, it's people, and the job you do is fantastic. God bless you and those who work with you to help the folk recover from what is the single biggest blow this city has ever known.

Let's not forget the lives lost through Katrina and also hurricane Rita, and the effort so far in recovery!