Nevadans Respond To Hurricane Katrina

Statement

Nevadans from every walk of life have opened their hearts and pocketbooks to aid in the relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina's landfall. Media outlets, businesses of every size and individuals have donated dollars and time - all part of a massive mobilization of private resources. Nevada's National Guard and regular military units stationed in Nevada have deployed to assist in the relief efforts. Our state's police, fire and emergency medicine specialists rapidly responded to the call or are waiting in frustration for deployment orders from federal emergency management officials.

I wanted to thank each of you who contributed in the best traditions of Nevada to this effort. The work goes on: supporters of my campaign in northern Nevada will be passing the hat for relief victims at a house event planned for my campaign. One of our terrific online network members, Sonya, is helping to organize a fundraising "cut-a-thon" at the salon Studio 302 in Las Vegas, where she works, planned for Saturday, September 10th. You can contact Sonya at 702.796.8004. In ways large and small, all of us I believe are making a difference.

The ongoing public health and economic consequences cannot be overstated. It is simply unsafe to remain in New Orleans for reasons too numerous to mention here. We have all felt the impact at the gas pump from Katrina's destruction. There are hard questions to be asked and the nation deserves honest and complete answers as the weeks and months unfold.

We all know that, in a toe to toe match between mankind and nature at its most violent; nature will win every time. We also know that in Katrina's wake, many of our fellow Americans died, not because they chose to stay, but because they were left behind. We know that many of our fellow Americans died, not because they couldn't be helped, but because our government's disaster response plans failed to help them in time.

The heroism and dedication of our active military, national guard units and emergency services personnel continue to be our salvation - I couldn't be more proud of them. News teams from around the country, including Nevada, performed an invaluable service as well. Around the clock coverage from areas where disaster officials had yet to deploy relief units was a priceless motivation tool for officials to put response plans into overdrive. They will have their work cut out for them sorting through the inevitable investigations of what happened and what must change.

What is certain is that we, the people of Nevada, have displayed our characteristic compassion and generosity. You can share with our network of supporters and website visitors where you've helped the relief effort and any personal news related to Hurricane Katrina you'd like to tell at this page of my website. Your posts there will help others in finding creative and constructive ways to help.

This disaster continues to unfold and Nevadans continue to respond.

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