On the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-4) introduced a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives to honor those affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The resolution pays tribute to lives lost, acknowledges the impact on communities, and recognizes ongoing efforts to rebuild and strengthen the Gulf Coast.
The measure observes the anniversaries of both storms and highlights the resilience shown by residents in Mississippi and across the Gulf Coast as they worked together to recover from significant losses.
“Twenty years ago today, our Coast faced unimaginable devastation,” Ezell said.“We lost lives, homes, businesses, and a way of life. But we also saw the incredible strength of our people—neighbors helping neighbors, communities refusing to give up, and a region committed to rising again. This resolution honors those we lost, those who served, and the work that continues to this day. This anniversary is not just about remembering what we lost. It’s about recognizing how far we’ve come and recommitting to ensuring our communities are prepared, supported, and never forgotten.”
Hurricane Katrina made landfall on August 29, 2005. Less than a month later, Hurricane Rita struck on September 24. Together these storms resulted in more than 1,800 deaths and caused tens of billions of dollars in damage while displacing hundreds of thousands.
Ezell’s resolution also draws attention to long-term recovery work such as rebuilding homes, schools, infrastructure and emphasizes the determination among Gulf Coast residents who continue restoration efforts twenty years later.
Mike Ezell has represented Mississippi’s 4th district in Congress since 2023 after succeeding Steven Palazzo. He was born in Pascagoula in 1959 where he currently resides. Ezell graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a BA in 1997.
