WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe of Maine traveled to the gulf region Monday to survey the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina and to witness the recovery efforts in its aftermath.

“Seeing the tremendous destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina firsthand has impressed upon me both the extent of the suffering in the gulf region and the urgency of providing relief to those who have lost everything,” Snowe said in a press release.

In her capacity as chairwoman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Coast Guard, Snowe flew with Coast Guard commandant Adm. Tom Collins over the entire coastline devastated by Katrina. She also met with members of the Maine Air National Guard currently stationed in Gulfport, Miss.

“The brave men and women of the Coast Guard and National Guard, including some from Maine, have gone above and beyond the call of duty to provide that relief, working nonstop in harsh conditions since the beginning of this emergency. Today I thanked the servicemen and -women on the ground for their tenacious and resourceful work, and I gained a better understanding of their future needs.”