FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, January 08, 2005
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The White House - Office of the Press Secretary
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President's Radio Address |
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RADIO ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO THE NATION
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Americans continue to mourn the victims of the
devastating tsunamis in the Indian Ocean. More than 150,000 lives are now
feared lost, including tens of thousands of children.
Communities have been decimated from Indonesia, to Thailand, to India, to
East Africa. Thousands are missing, or injured; and millions are thought to be
homeless, or without food and clean water.
The world has united behind this urgent cause, and the United States is
taking a leading role. We're working with other governments, relief
organizations, and the United Nations to coordinate a swift and effective
international response. We are rushing food, medicine, and other vital supplies
to the region. And we are focusing efforts on helping the women and children
who need special attention, including protection from the evil of human
trafficking.
This past week, I sent a delegation led by Secretary of State Colin Powell
and Governor Jeb Bush, of Florida, to the Indian Ocean region. They surveyed
the damage in several countries, met with local and regional leaders, assessed
the relief efforts in place and began to evaluate what more can be done to
help. Secretary Powell reported that American relief efforts are making major
visible progress.
We have made an initial commitment of $350 million in aid. And those funds
are being distributed promptly to organizations on the ground. Navy vessels,
including the USS Abraham Lincoln, have moved into the region to help provide,
food, medical supplies and clean water. Helicopters and other military aircraft
are meeting critical needs by airlifting supplies directly to victims in remote
areas. As in so many other places, our servicemen and women are showing the
courage and compassion of our nation to the world.
We're also seeing the good heart of America in an outpouring of generosity
here at home. Private citizens are showing their compassion in creative and
inspiring ways. On a rainy day in Washington state, children sold hot chocolate
by the side of the road and gave their profits to charity. Seven professional
basketball players pledged to donate a thousand dollars to UNICEF for every
point they scored in a game. American businesses have contributed cash and
products, and many are matching donations by their employees. Churches,
temples, synagogues, mosques and other religious congregations are taking up
special collections for disaster victims.
To draw even greater amounts of private donations, I asked former Presidents
Bill Clinton and George Bush to lead a nationwide charitable fundraising drive.
Their mission is to encourage contributions both large and small, directly to
the organizations with recovery efforts underway in the disaster area.
I am grateful to the courageous relief groups that have responded so quickly
to this catastrophe, including the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Salvation Army,
Catholic Relief Services, Save The Children, CARE, AmeriCares and many others.
Many of these organizations have long experience with natural disasters and
in-depth knowledge of the recovery needs. They're in the best position to use
donations wisely and effectively.
To encourage support for these groups, I have signed legislation allowing
Americans to deduct from their 2004 federal income tax cash contributions made
to tsunami relief efforts this month. I urge all Americans to contribute as
they are able. More information about making a donation is available on the
Internet at
www.usafreedomcorps.gov.
In this time of grief for so many around the world, Americans have come
together to pray for the victims and families of the tsunami disaster. We think
especially of the children who have been lost, and the survivors searching for
their families. And we offer our sustained compassion and generosity as the
people of the devastated region begin to rebuild.
Thank you for listening.
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