[Carl Pope, President of Sierra Club:] Weakening environmental laws is the worst thing Congress could do right now. Instead, our elected representatives should step in and force the Administration to do its job, ... Our government failed to protect Americans from exposure to toxic pollution in the aftermath of the September 11 attack. Now we see a similar failed response to the Katrina hurricane. The public has every right to expect strong action to protect public health in the wake of a national disaster. This is a time for responsible, truly compassionate leadership. Carl Pope