Campaign Announcement

August 23, 2007                                   CONTACT:    Megan Langhoff

                                                                                             504-259-4510

NEIGHBORHOOD LEADER LANGHOFF ENTERS HOUSE RACE

Deborah Langhoff to Run for State House in District 94

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Community activist Deborah Langhoff announced her candidacy for the State House seat for District 94 at a campaign party held at Bayou Coffee House this past Saturday, August 18.  Surrounded by her family and supporters, Mrs. Langhoff made known her dedication to New Orleans and District 94.

"For two years I have been working every day with others who are leading the City’s recovery,” said Mrs. Langhoff.  “The work of ordinary New Orleanians has brought us far, but there is much yet to be done.  I am prepared to work full-time for my district, my city, and my state.  Our neighborhoods deserve a tireless voice speaking for them every day at the Legislature - not from behind the visitor’s rope – but on the floor of the House.” 

A dedicated civic leader, Langhoff spent 16 years as a devoted advocate for public schools.  Currently she serves on the founding board of Neighborhood Partnerships Network which fosters citizen participation at the neighborhood level, the District 5 Neighborhood Recovery Group Steering Committee, and the New Orleans Energy Policy Task Force, where she promotes urban tree canopy restoration. She developed the District 5 Housing Team and CHAT’s land use committee.  Langhoff serves as President of Lake Vista Property Owners Association and revived the Mid-City Neighborhood Organization’s Block Captain Program.

As a homeowner and small business owner, she has felt the frustration citizens have concerning rebuilding, escalating insurance costs, personal safety, and corrupt politics. 

“I’m running for State Representative because I believe New Orleanians deserve a chance to be represented by an advocate for them, one who has proven a commitment and dedication to achieving results. For too long policy has been dominated by the greed and politics of the past.” said Langhoff.

As a native New Orleanian and the mother of three, Deborah is committed to make New Orleans the best it can be.

“For many years – before and since Katrina – I’ve helped our community move forward. We must rebuild a New Orleans that is safer for us all, smarter, and more sustainable than the city wrecked by flooding and neglect.  As representative from District 94, I will continue to represent the families, neighborhoods, and people of New Orleans first and foremost,” said Langhoff.

About Langhoff: 

Deborah and her husband Alan own and operate a computer consulting business in the district. They were the original owners of the Dream Palace – Frenchmen Street’s first music club. Deborah attended local public schools including Gentilly Terrace, McDonough #28 and McDonough High School.  During the 1970’s Langhoff lived in Manhattan and enjoyed a professional ballet career that included working with renowned American ballerinas, Patricia Wilde and Maria Tallchief.  After moving back to New Orleans and starting a family, Langhoff’s devotion to improving New Orleans public schools led to her support and sponsorship of programs in visual and performing arts at Hynes, Franklin, Lusher and NOCCA|Riverfront.

About District 94:

District 94 includes Lake Vista, Lakeshore, Lake Terrace, Lake Oaks, Lakewood, Lakeview, Country Club Gardens, Parkview, City Park, and parts of Mid-City, Gentilly and Faubourg St John.

The election for state representative is set for October 20^th.  The last day to register to vote in this election is September 19, 2007.

More information is available at www.electDeborah.com

 NOTE: If you would like a headshot for media use, please email Media@electDeborah.com

WRDA 2007 

CIVIC ACTION, AUGUST 2, 2007

The Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (WRDA) H.R.1495, is five years overdue and numerous projects that were identified to stop coastal erosion and protect Louisianans have waited too long for this funding. During the 2004 Kerry/Edwards campaign, we noted that coastal protection for Louisiana would cost $14 billion.  That sum sounds almost modest now when compared with the costs of the devastation caused by the Katrina Disaster and the costs of the Iraq War http://www.nationalpriorities.org/Cost-of-War/Cost-of-War-3.html

WRDA doesn’t guarantee funding but allows Congress to allocate money for projects like these:

$1.9 billion for Louisiana coastal restoration project

$866 million Morganza to Gulf hurricane protection

$160 million Closing of MRGO – closure of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet

La Water Resources Council Peer Review for Army Corps of Engineers projects in the state

Lake Pontchartrain levees to achieve a 100-year level of flood protection

Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Protection and Restoration Task Force to influence policy and strategies

Now, at a time when America knows how critical coastal stabilization is to our safety, the President once again turns his back on us by threatening his veto, as if we were not Americans, entitled to protection.

WRDA is important for projects of water diversion and flood protection across the country, but in Louisiana it is the difference between life and death.  I’ve sent this letter to those I know who may be interested and ask that you do the same:

Dear Neighbors,

Below is copy of an email that I have just sent to the White House comments@whitehouse.gov  reacting to President Bush's threat to veto the WRDA legislation, which is so critical to Louisiana, New Orleans, and District 94.

The wording is the same as that used in the bi-partisan letter signed by our 9-member Congressional delegation, led by Senator Mary Landrieu, where I changed only the word "We" to "Louisiana" in the last paragraph.

I encourage everyone to:
Read the article in Wednesday's Times Picayune

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-8/1186038179288290.xml&coll=1 
Send the message below in your own email, letter, or fax to the White House, and
Ask your friends and family, here and elsewhere, to do the same, replacing my signature with yours.

Sincerely,
Deborah

August 3, 2007

comments@whitehouse.gov

Dear Mr. President:

We respectfully request you to reconsider your position on HR1495, the conference report on the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (WRDA).

Since Congress last enacted a water resources bill in 2000, many of the projects authorized in HR 1495 have been pending for years, including the authorization of critical projects in Louisiana. Furthermore, WRDA includes the historic creation of the Louisiana Coastal Area, a vital and comprehensive program for the restoration of our coast.

Louisiana stands united behind HR 1495 and will support any efforts to override a veto of this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Deborah Langhoff

Neighborhood President
Community Advocate
Recovery Volunteer

Candidate October 20, 2007 for the Louisiana State House of Representatives, District 94, Lakefront to Mid-City

4234 Canal Street New Orleans 70119
8 Bluebird Street New Orleans 70124