Brad Pitt Gets Political For New Orleans

Actor Brad Pitt met with the US Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, and House Majority Whip, James Clyburn, last week in Washington to discuss the rebuilding of New Orleans’ hurricane-ravaged Lower 9th Ward.

According to reports, Pitt may also have met with Barack Obama to discuss the continuing efforts of his Make It Right foundation, which is building low cost, highly efficient housing for those left homeless since the 2005 disaster.

“I just want to say thank you to the Speaker for opening up the doors for us to come in and discuss the current rebuilding effort going on in New Orleans,” said Pitt at a press briefing, “and how we can expand this idea of affordability and sustainability because we think we have a model that works.”

Pelosi was clearly impressed with Pitt’s efforts: “[Pitt] is a real hero for the people of New Orleans, a real model for the country,” she said. “Not only are these homes wonderful homes for these families, not only are they built to a green standard, but they have a utility bill of under ten dollars a month.”

Clyburn, who chairs the Katrina-Rita Task Force, is also appreciative of Pitt’s foundation: “We’re all neighbors in this great country of ours, and I thank [Brad] so much for his help.”

It isn’t only politicians praising Pitt’s work. Singer and actor Harry Connick Jr., in a recent interview with OK! magazine, thinks Make It Right is invaluable. “I actually wrote [Brad] a letter to thank him for what he’s doing,” said Connick. “I don’t know if he even got it. But if I ever see him again, I’ll thank him again, because the benefit to the city is unimaginable.”