Posted on 09/02/2005 12:43:26 PM PDT by Recovering_Democrat
(Washington, D.C. – August 31, 2005) – U. S. Rep. Donna M. Christensen (D-VI), Chair, Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, joined with U.S. Reps. Melvin L. Watt (D-N.C.), Chair, Congressional Black Caucus; William Jefferson (D-La.); Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.); Artur Davis (D-Ala.); Barbara Lee (D-Calif.); members of the CBC and representatives of the states affected by Hurricane Katrina in expressing concern for the victims of this catastrophic storm:
“As a former public health official and family physician, and as a representative of the U.S. Virgin Islands which has survived the wrath of powerful hurricanes, I would like to first offer my prayers to all of the victims of Hurricane Katrina and to express specific concern for the poor communities that have been impacted,” Rep. Christensen said.
“The members of the Congressional Black Caucus stand ready to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina in any way we can,” noted Chairman Watt. “Citizens of the impacted areas can be assured that the CBC will be working very closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Homeland Security and public health agencies to ensure that help and assistance is received to maintain public health and safety. While the entire country has been adversely impacted by the enormity of this tragedy, our strength, determination and faith in God ensure that we will endure.”
“We have seen the unbelievable images that are coming across all of the major television networks and the faces of those who are hardest hit by this disaster are our constituencies,” Rep. Christensen added. “They were probably the least likely to be able to evacuate and therefore are bearing the brunt of the aftermath. Thus, while our hearts and prayers go out to all of the men, women and children of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust is particularly concerned with the repercussions that Hurricane Katrina has had and will continue to have on the health outcomes in these three states.”
Rep. Christen, who is also a physician that has practiced for more than two decades, said that she fully understands the detrimental impact that poverty has on health care and health outcomes.
Christensen said that she and the members of the Caucus and the Health Braintrust will be working to ensure that the health needs of those victimized by the hurricane will become a priority on the national health agenda. “I am pleased that the federal government has declared a public health disaster for the areas affected,” she said.
“Like my colleague Congresswoman Christensen, I too am encouraged that the federal government has quickly declared the affected regions as public health disaster areas. But the federal government must match its words with actions,” said Rep. Lee.
“At this time of emergency, it is imperative that FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security and public health agencies coordinate their efforts and pay special attention to the prevention of diseases that thrive in these environments,” Rep. Lee added.
“While the appropriate first response is safety and well-being, public health and its ramifications must not be far behind or the ripple effects to our communities and constituencies, and all those victimized will be felt for a long time to come,” Rep. Christensen concluded.
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Members of the Congressional Black Caucus are available to speak to members of the press about the health ramifications caused by Hurricane Katrina. Please contact the CBC office at 202.226.9776 to schedule an interview.
What I saw instead was a political ploy, an attempt to smear the President and a desire to stir up racial strife.
Why am I not surprised?
Congressional gerrymandered caucus
Wonder how many of these demoncratic CBC members are up for re-election next year? BTW, I'm not suprises by anything these jerks do.
Wonder how many of these demoncratic CBC members are up for re-election next year? BTW, I'm not suprised by anything these jerks do.
Would it be wrong to notice "Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust" has a rather oxymoronic sound to it?
I'm still waiting for the Congressional White Man Caucuas to hold their press conference.
"Congressional" and "braintrust" used in the same sentence. That's funny.
Congressional Caucasian Caucus?
I guess those busses would have been more useful if used for evacuation rather than left to flood in a parking lot.
Probably a union thing.
Composite IQ: 11.
"Congressional Black Caucus"
Caucus? LOL! I thought it was "Circus".
Has the congressional white caucus responded yet?
*snicker*
It is sad they had to turn this into politics.
"Congressional Black Caucus Braintrust"
I think the " brain trust" is a little low on mental collateral.
"Wonder how many of these demoncratic CBC members are up for re-election next year?"
All of them. House. Every two years.
I caught just a bit of that news conference over lunch; the hatred in the one lady's face was palpable. And of course, not one word regarding the State or Louisiana's responsibilty in all this has been mentioned; it's all the feds fault.
Apparently "workind to alleviate people's suffering" is finding someone to blame so people (democrats) can stoke the fires of their own anger.
Most trusts hold things for other people for use at a later date.......Makes PERFECT sense to me!
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