Mineta visits New Orleans

Mineta visits New Orleans    Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta Wednesday visited the Port of New Orleans as the first containership to call the port since Hurricane Katrina was worked and sent on its way.
   'Transportation is what drives the economy,' Mineta said. 'So, we've got to get the transportation infrastructure up and running.
   'As this thing was unfolding, I wanted to make sure transportation was not a choke point in the recovery of the economy of the area. That's why we were working from the onset with the seaports, airports and all the various modes of transportation to make sure we got them up and running as soon as possible,' he said. 'Now it seems it is all coming together.'
   Port president and CEO Gary LaGrange, who toured the port with Mineta, said the port was sending a message that it will be back from the hurricane.
   'This sends a message out to the world that this Port community is made up of survivors. And even though we will continue to face many struggles on the journey ahead, we will make this port bigger and better,' LaGrange said after crews worked the first containership.