White House Press Release
President Asks Bush and Clinton to Assist in Hurricane Relief Efforts
The Oval Office
September 1, 2005
(Excerpt)
This recovery is going to be a long process. It's going to take a lot of hard work and patience and resolve. It's also going to require a lot of money. And the federal government will do its part. But the private sector needs to do its part, as well. And that's why I've asked Presidents Bush and Clinton to lead a nationwide fundraising effort to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
In the days ahead, the former Presidents will ask Americans to open their hearts and their wallets to help those in need. And they're going to talk to large corporations and small businesses and individual citizens across the nation. The contributions will benefit the relief organizations that are doing vital work on the ground. We're going to take a look and make sure that the money raised is money needed. Right now if our fellow citizens want to help, they ought to give a cash donation to the Red Cross, which they can find at phone number 1-800-HELP-NOW.
I was so proud of the efforts that President Clinton and President Bush did to help the victims of the tsunami relief. Our country marveled at their capacity to rally our citizens and to work together. And, once again, I’ve asked them to work to help the needs of those who hurt. And, once again, I’m confident that the American people will respond.
Excerpt from a Press release by the Office of the Press Secretary
Accessed from http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/09/20050901-3.html September 7, 2005.