Obama says hurricane victims will need long-term support
Monday, September 5, 2005
Printable FormatMIKE COLIAS
Associated Press
CHICAGO - Sen. Barack Obama said Monday that Americans should prepare to support displaced Hurricane Katrina victims for months to come.
Obama returned to Chicago Monday after visiting evacuees at the Astrodome in Houston along with former Presidents Bush and Clinton. Obama said the 25,000 evacuees appear to be getting the necessary clothing, food and shelter after suffering in New Orleans last week.
"I think the bigger question is going to be 'How do we provide longer term housing and employment opportunities?'" Obama, D-Ill., said during a news conference at the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago.
He said all levels of government should help evacuees find jobs by matching them with employers.
He added that Illinois and other states should prepare to house displaced residents for at least six months.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich office said Sunday that Illinois expects to provide housing, food and medical care to 5,000 to 10,000 hurricane evacuees. More than 600 were being housed at Chicago area shelters as of Monday evening, according to the Red Cross.
Obama said he thinks the "shame" of the government's slow response to the disaster last week will be overshadowed by Americans' generosity.
"I wish that the federal government had been up to the task in the way that the American people I think were up to the task," he said.
Also Monday, nearly 600 firefighters from all over Illinois left for New Orleans to help with emergency operations, and 500 National Guard troops are preparing to depart for Louisiana on Wednesday.
The firefighters were called to duty Sunday through Illinois' Mutual Aid Box Alarm System, an intergovernmental agency, said Northbrook Fire Chief Jay Reardon, president of the aid system.
They will work in New Orleans for 14 days and spend one day traveling to and one day traveling from the area, he said.
In addition to 592 firefighters, Illinois is sending 38 fire engines, 12 ladder trucks and a number of support vehicles. Early estimates put the cost of the activation at $11.2 million, with the majority of it to be reimbursed, Reardon said.
Reardon said the firefighters know that they will be exposed to some horrific sights of devastation and death, and counseling will be offered to them when they return.
"I think that what they'll see down there will be extraordinary and difficult, but I think all of them will maintain the fortitude to assist people in need down there and to meet the challenge," Reardon said.
The firefighters were told to take supplies to ensure they are self-sufficient for at least the first week. They will be paid their normal salary as if they are working in their Illinois firehouse, Reardon said.
The last large activation of the mutual aid system in Illinois was in April 2004, when a tornado in Utica killed eight people, Reardon said.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich also announced Monday that 500 National Guard troops are preparing to depart for Louisiana on Wednesday, joining 300 troops from Illinois who are already there. The units currently undergoing processing before departure are:
_the Chicago-based 33rd Area Support Group, for logistics, transportation and maintenance.
_the 634th Forward Support Battalion, based in Sullivan, Champaign and Springfield, for medical support and supply maintenance.
_Detachment 3, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, of the Decatur-based 35th Infantry Division. It will assist in command and control of National Guard troops from other states.