Gulfport, Miss. ? Lisa Balius of Georgia, born and raised in Mississippi, was furious Friday after learning of derogatory comments a New York congressman had made about her native state.

Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., was quoted in The New York Times as saying that “Mississippi gets more than their fair share back in federal money, but who the hell wants to live in Mississippi?”

The Times story was about how New York’s influence in Congress will grow after Democrats won control of the House and the Senate in Tuesday’s elections. Rangel, 76, said he wants New York to get more money from the federal government, especially considering the amount its residents contribute.

“I just thought that was so pitiful, especially from someone who probably has never even been to Mississippi,” said Balius, who now lives in Georgia. “I think he just has a poor image of the South and Mississippi.”

Balius found out about Rangel’s remarks Friday morning and immediately wrote a letter to him and pointed out all the good things about the state. She faxed and e-mailed the letter to his office to ensure he received it.

“It just infuriated me,” she said. “I hate when people talk about Mississippi when they know nothing about it.”

At least one member of Mississippi’s delegation shared Balius’ anger.

But Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Miss., who stands to gain from Rangel’s likely appointment as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, stopped just short of defending him.

Taylor was stationed in New York years ago when he served in the Coast Guard. He said he much prefers living in Mississippi over New York but that he wasn’t offended by Rangel’s comments and he thinks the New York congressman was being protective of his home state.

“Everybody brags on their hometown,” Taylor said Friday. “Other delegations are jealous because we do get a heck of a lot more money than Mississippi sends to Washington. I’ll say something to (Rangel) when I see him next week, but I’m sure the New York delegation gets grief because New York puts in more money to the federal government than it gets back.”