Posted on 09/03/2005 8:49:17 PM PDT by SolidSupplySide
HOUSTON — With more than 220,000 hurricane refugees camped out in Texas and more coming, Gov. Rick Perry warned today that his enormous state was running out of room.
"Texas is committed to doing everything it can to help our neighbors from Louisiana, but we want to make certain that we can provide them with the medical care, food, shelter, safety, education and other services they need to start getting their lives back together," Perry said in a statement. "Local officials are beginning to notify us that they are quickly approaching capacity in the number of evacuees they believe they can assist."
About 18,500 survivors were housed in Houston's Astrodome and an adjacent meeting hall. More than 120,000 refugees were in 97 shelters in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and dozens of smaller cities across the vast state, Perry's office said, with another 100,000 in hotels and motels. Uncounted more were in churches or private homes.
Buses continued to arrive at the Astrodome, where many were redirected to other evacuation centers after people were processed and evaluated for medical conditions.
"We have notified FEMA and Louisiana officials that we are nearing capacity," said Robert Black, a spokesman for Perry.
More than 50 military and commercial flights deposited more than 7,000 evacuees at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. At Dallas' luxurious Wyndham Anatole hotel, a few guests looked forward to a quieter evening, compliments of Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, after spending Friday night on the roof of New Orleans' Baptist Memorial Hospital ferrying patients to safety.
Hospital worker James Bell felt guilty.
"I could be down (at a shelter) and have a couple families here," he said.
Evacuees also were housed at Reunion Arena in Dallas. As a few people smoked cigarettes outside, a plane emerged overhead trailing a sign that read, "Shame on You George Bush."
The Wyndham Anatoli? Good God, that's well over $150 a night! My previous employer had a sales meeting there that I attended. That's a sweetheart deal! Where do I sign up for free luxury lodging??
ping
We planned on around 150k. We will not overburden a facility, and have it burn to the ground killing everyone inside. The county commissioners and fire marshalls here are doing an outstanding job. If you want to slam Texas for being a lot more prepared than any other state in the union, you had best be ready for one heckuva response. This is hardly the time to infer that we Texans are causing an illegal immigration problem. Damn Yankee mentality.
Are they trying to coordinate with other states? Or just busy going on TV to put the blame on Pres Bush.
A good number of the Louisianians that have come to Dallas seem to realize they need to find jobs and get going with life again, but there are also plenty who will try to make our safety net into a hammock.
Thanks...the reason I inquired was an interview he did on the boob tube today...
He carried himself well, seemed in control of his situation, and answered questions authoritatively and succinctly...
Gratis for the info...scratch him from the list...
Profound tagline...
I'm afraid in the end, Katrina will move us much closer to socialism. I hope I'm wrong.
"I can see Rhode Island or Delaware running out of room...but Texas?"
It's a different situation than what one might expect for disaster relief. Rather than a one-time donation to make the conscience feel good, the surrounding states are forced to make a serious sacrifice. The victims have poured into our cities with needs that are total, something that is not normal for charity cases. Satisfying these total needs is a matter of character and human duty for some; for others it is perceived as an unexpected and enormous inconvenience. You must understand that square land mass does not translate to available facilities in an already SERIOUSLY strained public system. Luckily, Americans have a unique appreciation for our fellows, so you can be rest assured that we will take people into our homes and feed and shower them if we have to.
Katrina shows the shortfalls of Socialism. All these NO refugees are the "victims" of the Socialist mentality. They expect everybody to provide for them. No self reliance.
Kinda neat, huh?
It keeps me going somedays, especially when you think of little ones.
Perry's stated religion is United Methodist. Isn't the President also a Methodist?
---Evacuees also were housed at Reunion Arena in Dallas. As a few people smoked cigarettes outside, a plane emerged overhead trailing a sign that read, "Shame on You George Bush."---
This stuff is beginning to really piss me off.
It applies directly to my little ones. Daughter aged 6, son aged 3...
thank you! you are right, the MSM is not reporting this, or maybe I'm just not finding it.
Texas should not have to take ALL the evacuees! When this first started they said they were taking the 25, 000 from the Superdome. Soon it was 75,000. Now 220, 000. Where are all these people coming from?
What about Louisiana's neighbor to the north, Arkansas? I'm in Missouri, how many are we taking? I'm not hearing about it...
Yes... the President is United Methodist.
The Southern Baptists who think they control the definition of "conservative" in this state generally consider UMs to be liberals.
Or, better yet, send all these people out to the middle of nowhere and give them a job building Perry's Trans-Texas Toy Road.....
I would not recommend Rick Perry for federal dog-catcher.
Agreed! It should be nationwide. These folks are not going to be able to return to NO for a long time, and many, by that time, may elect not to.
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