Hurricane Katrina: Clinton and Bush Sr. to Lead Private Fundraising for Katrina Victims

The ASSociated Press has Congress Sending $10.5B in Relief Aid.

Congress rushed to provide a $10.5 billion down payment in relief aid for Gulf Coast victims of Hurricane Katrina on Thursday as President Bush ordered new action to minimize disruptions in the nation’s energy supplies.

Bush, who intends to visit the devastated area on Friday, expressed sympathy with the victims. “I know this is an agonizing time. … I ask their continued patience as recovery operations unfold,” he said.

Congressional officials said $10 billion in relief aid would go to FEMA, the government’s first-line defender in case of natural disasters. The remainder is ticketed for the
Pentagon, which has dispatched ships and other assistance to aid in the relief effort.

In a letter to Capitol Hill that accompanied the request, Bush said the situation “requires immediate action by the Congress to ensure that the federal response to this disaster uninterrupted.” And he put lawmakers on notice that the $10 billion was only a first installment, with another request expected after a fuller assessment of the storm’s impact.

With the Republican-controlled Congress officially on vacation, top leaders said they would pass the relief measure without waiting for lawmakers to return to the Capitol. Instead, they announced the money would be cleared — by Friday — without the formality of a vote, as is often the case on non-controversial measures.

So, please help the private charities that will also aid the many victims of this disaster. Please go to Catholic Charities and be generous.

In the meantime……

In addition to his ABC interview, he announced he was asking his two immediate predecessors to head an appeal for public donations to help hurricane victims. The two men, his father, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, performed a similar role in the wake of the tsunami that struck nations along the Indian Ocean last year.

Flap asks you to be generous and GIVE.

You will be glad you did.

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