CHAIRMAN BUYER LAUDS VFW AND VVA FOR THEIR RELIEF EFFORTS TO VICTIMS OF HURRICANE KATRINA

Congress Provides $10.5 billion in emergency funds

Washington, D.C. — As Congress reconvened today to pass H.R. 3645, to provide $10.5 billion in emergency funds in response to the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, other organizations including Veterans of Foreign Wars and Vietnam Veterans of America are collecting donations to buy basic supplies such as clothing, food and building materials.  

“Congress has provided emergency funds to help the victims of this disaster, yet as President Bush said this morning, this is only a down payment,” Buyer said.  “I applaud veterans service organizations such as VFW and VVA, which have quickly stepped forward to help collect donations.”

Newly elected Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander James R. Mueller said, “The best way that we can help is through direct donations to the Department Headquarters of Mississippi and Louisiana.” 

VVA’s National President, John Rowan announced that their relief effort will be coordinated by the organization's Florida State Council. “The excellent job the Florida State Council did during the disastrous Florida hurricanes in 2004 makes our members in Florida ideally suited to coordinate this relief effort,” Rowan said. 

The Department of Veterans Affairs has extensive facilities in the region hit by the hurricane, including a medical center in New Orleans that is being evacuated. 

“We are monitoring VA’s progress to ensure that our veterans have been safely evacuated and are being cared for,” Buyer said.