Houston, TX – Congressman Al Green brought together area elected officials, community leaders and non-profit organizations to discuss current and future challenges related to the enormous influx of Katrina evacuees in the Houston area. The newly formed coalition held a press conference late last week, where members rejected the use of the term refugee and made clear their involvement in the relief efforts.
“When there is such an immediate and vast need for assistance, we can not afford to duplicate our efforts. We must make sure we are working in conjunction with one another and coordinating our efforts. Katrina victims deserve the optimal level of care and that was my motivation in bringing together Houston community leaders and elected officials,” said Green.
The group all expressed their commitment to addressing the pressing needs of the evacuees from working to ensure educational options to providing counseling for those in need. Green commended the work area community based organizations such as the S.H.A.P.E. Community Center, which is currently housing hundreds of evacuees. “Many of the people, who now find themselves in the Astrodome, had little yesterday and have even less today. It is unfortunate that it takes a catastrophe like Hurricane Katrina to cause us to reflect on our individual and mutual responsibilities to our fellow Americans. I believe we have an obligation to close the economic divide that continues to show indifference for the least among us,” commented Green.
As it relates to the use of the term refugee Green added, “I strongly and vehemently reject the use of the term refugee. These people are not refugees; they are hard working, tax paying American citizens and to refer to them as anything other than American citizens is erroneous and irresponsible. They are protected by the same constitution and are guaranteed the same inalienable rights as all American citizens. These citizens are not above the Constitution and thank God that we will not allow them to be beneath it.”
The goal of the coalition is to maximize the efforts of Houstonians in aiding the Katrina victims and to ensure that the public is informed of the latest developments.
Elected officials included State Senator Rodney Ellis, State Representatives Garnett Coleman and Sylvester Turner, Council members Ada Edwards and Ronald Green as well as Constables Ruben Davis and May Walker. They were joined by Houston community leaders from organizations such as the NAACP, the Nation of Islam - Mosque 45, and the S.H.A.P.E. Community Center.