While the federal government and timid investors dawdle on the sidelines, contemplating moving into New Orleans when things get back to normal, the AFL-CIO is rolling up its sleeves and investing $1 billion to make recovery a reality. Wednesday, June 14 John Sweeney, AFL-CIO president, announced the AFL-CIO Gulf Coast Revitalization Program, a seven-year, housing and economic development program designed to produce affordable housing, promote home ownership and create good jobs with good wages in construction and other industries throughout the Gulf Coast region.
Sweeney made the announcement, flanked by Edward Sullivan, president of the Building and Construction Trades Dept., Stephen Coyle, CEO, AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, James O. Campbell, president of the International Longshoremens Association Local 3000, New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin and a broad range of labor, civic, religious, financial and academic leaders.