Samuel W. Bodman, Hurricane Katrina, Strategic Petroleum Reserve

Statement by Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman on Hurricane Katrina, Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman today released the following statement:

"First of all, on behalf of myself and the entire Department of Energy family, I wish to extend our thoughts and prayers to those people affected by this terrible storm.

As with any natural disaster, the first priority is human health and safety. Restoring electricity and fuel, and doing so safely, is a priority. We began working with the Federal Energy Management Agency, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and other sister agencies on contingency planning before the storm came ashore, and we will work with state and local authorities to assist with the restoration of normal energy services.

Looking at the broader impacts on the nation, we are mindful that the affected region contributes a significant amount of our oil, gas, and refined product supply. As we assess damage, we will take the appropriate response.

The administration has been clear that the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is a national security asset that can be used to protect American consumers and our economy in the event of a major supply disruption, including natural disasters.

Beginning last week, we have been in close contact with our federal partners, site managers at various locations of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and companies that operate oil refineries to prepare for any disruption in oil production.

As we experienced with Hurricane Ivan in 2004, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve can be used to lend petroleum to refineries if they experience shortages and are therefore unable to maintain their production. Should circumstances warrant, the President also can direct that petroleum be withdrawn from the SPR and sold.

Over the next few days, we will continue to gain more information on the specific needs and then be able to make a better determination on how we can help."

Media contact: Craig Stevens, 202/586-4940 Source; energy.gov/

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Ask the White House Michael Chertoff Hurricane Katrina

August 31, 2005 Last Updated 2:44 p.m. (EDT) Discuss Hurricane Relief, National Preparedness Month

Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security, will discuss federal efforts to assist those affected by Hurricane Katrina, and National Preparedness Month this Thursday at 4 pm (ET). Click here to ask a question.

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National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, 2005

National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, 2005, A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women in the United States. Each year, thousands of women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and thousands die from the disease. During National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, we strive to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and promote early detection and treatment of this disease.

Early detection is essential to the successful treatment of ovarian cancer. The 5-year survival rate is higher than 90 percent for ovarian cancer patients whose disease is caught during the first stage of development. Most ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, however, because no reliable screening test exists for the disease. Because the early signs of ovarian cancer are easy to miss and often resemble the signs of other conditions, it is important for women to talk with their doctors about detection and be aware of the risk factors and symptoms of this cancer.

There is more we need to learn about how best to prevent, detect, and treat ovarian cancer. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is currently sponsoring a study on genetic and environmental factors that may increase the risk of ovarian cancer. In addition, the NCI is sponsoring clinical trials to explore new ways to screen for and detect ovarian cancer. Researchers are studying new treatment options, including biological therapies, anticancer drugs, vaccines, and other therapies to treat resistant forms of ovarian cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will spend almost $4.6 million, and the Department of Defense's Ovarian Cancer Research Program will invest an estimated $10 million.

As we observe National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, we recognize the courage and strength of women battling ovarian cancer, and of their families and friends who love and support them. Our Nation is grateful for the hard work and commitment of our dedicated researchers and medical professionals. With continued effort, we can raise awareness of ovarian cancer and find new ways to prevent and treat this deadly disease.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2005 as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. I call upon government officials, businesses, communities, health care professionals, educators, volunteers, and all people of the United States to continue our Nation's strong commitment to preventing and treating ovarian cancer.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty ninth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.

GEORGE W. BUSH

# # # For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, August 29, 2005

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KATRINA Advisory (NOAA RSS FEED) (real time loop)

Latest advisories and graphics for Tropical Depression KATRINA

View feed or Hurricane, Tropical Storm Real Time Loop This loop intended for informational purposes only! For Emergency situations, please refer to your local Emergency Management Office

000, WTNT32 KNHC 301435, TCPAT2, BULLETIN, TROPICAL DEPRESSION KATRINA ADVISORY NUMBER 31, NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL, 10 AM CDT TUE AUG 30 2005

...KATRINA BECOMES A TROPICAL DEPRESSION...STILL PRODUCING HEAVY, RAINS...

AT 10 AM CDT...1500Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL DEPRESSION KATRINA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 36.3 NORTH...LONGITUDE 87.5 WEST OR ABOUT 25 MILES SOUTH OF CLARKSVILLE TENNESSEE.

THE DEPRESSION IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHEAST NEAR 21 MPH AND THIS MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS WITH AN INCREASE IN FORWARD SPEED.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 35 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. KATRINA IS EXPECTED TO BECOME EXTRATROPICAL DURING THE NEXT 12 TO 24 HOURS.

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 985 MB...29.09 INCHES.

ADDITIONAL RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES...WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 6 INCHES...WILL ACCOMPANY KATRINA ACROSS THE OHIO VALLEY...THE LOWER GREAT LAKES...AND INTO NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND.

TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE TODAY OVER EASTERN GEORGIA...WESTERN SOUTH CAROLINA...NORTH CAROLINA...AND VIRGINIA.

REPEATING THE 10 AM CDT POSITION...36.3 N... 87.5 W. MOVEMENT TOWARD...NORTH-NORTHEAST NEAR 21 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...35 MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE... 985 MB.

THIS IS THE LAST PUBLIC ADVISORY ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER ON THIS SYSTEM. FUTURE INFORMATION ON THIS SYSTEM CAN BE FOUND IN PUBLIC ADVISORIES ISSUED BY THE HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL PREDICTION CENTER...UNDER AWIPS HEADER TCPAT2 AND WMO HEADER WTNT32 KWNH...BEGINNING AT 4PM CDT.

FORECASTER AVILA $$

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President 60th Anniversary of V-J Day (VIDEO)

President Commemorates 60th Anniversary of V-J Day, FULL STREAMING VIDEO, Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California, 9:04 A.M. PDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Thanks for the warm welcome. It's good to be back in California. Good to be here at North Island. This is the birthplace of naval aviation, and I want to thank you for making this son of a naval aviator feel right at home. (Applause.)

This morning our hearts and prayers are with our fellow citizens along the Gulf Coast who have suffered so much from Hurricane Katrina. These are trying times for the people of these communities. We know that many are anxious to return to their homes. It's not possible at this moment. Right now our priority is on saving lives, and we are still in the midst of search and rescue operations. I urge everyone in the affected areas to continue to follow instructions from state and local authorities.

The federal, state and local governments are working side-by-side to do all we can to help people get back on their feet, and we have got a lot of work to do. Our teams and equipment are in place and we're beginning to move in the help that people need. Americans who wish to help can call 1-800-HELPNOW, or log on to RedCross.org, or get in touch with the Salvation Army. The good folks in Louisiana and Mississippi and Alabama and other affected areas are going to need the help and compassion and prayers of our fellow citizens.

As we deliver relief to our citizens to the south, our troops are defending all our citizens from threats abroad. In the war on terror, all of you gathered here today are playing a critical role. Our naval aviators are displaying their fantastic skill in bringing justice to our enemies. Our sailors on Navy ships are patrolling the high seas. You're maintaining those ships and keeping them ready for battle. You're serving on special operations teams that are hunting the Taliban and al Qaeda fighters in the mountains of Afghanistan. And our Marine units are bringing the terrorists to justice in Iraq.

However you are serving, each of you is defending our nation and bringing honor to the uniform, and your Commander-in-Chief, and your country is proud of your service. (Applause.)

I'm also proud to stand with those whose achievements we commemorate today, the military veterans of World War II. (Applause.) In war, America called you from your farms and your schools and your factories to defeat two of the most ruthless armies the world has known. In victory, America counted on you to extend a helping hand, to lift up a defeated foe. And in a lasting peace that has been your greatest legacy, America confirmed the power of freedom to transform the bitterest of enemies into the closest of friends.

Your victory came at great cost. And many of the heroes who fought by your side would not live to make the return journey home. More than 400,000 Americans gave their lives in that war, and some of them are buried a few miles from here at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. At a funeral sermon delivered after a battle that had taken the lives of thousands of Americans, a rabbi said, "Out of this, and from this suffering and sorrow of those who mourn this, will come, we promise, the birth of a new freedom for the sons of men everywhere."

Today, your hair is whitened. Your steps have slowed. Yet you have seen in your lifetime the rabbi's promise come true. The freedom that was born of your sacrifice has lifted millions of God's children across the Earth. This freedom is your monument to your fallen friends, your gift to their children and grandchildren, and your sacred bond with generations of patriots past and present who have worn the nation's uniform.

As we look into your faces, we see the same quiet resolve that defeated our enemies. And we count it a privilege to be the citizens of the country that you served. We pray that your comrades you have lost found peace with their Creator, and we honor your sacrifice by recommitting ourselves to the great ideals for which you fought and bled.

I'm honored today to be traveling with the First Lady of the United States, Laura Bush. (Applause.) I want to thank Admiral Zortman, the Commander of the Naval Air Force U.S. Pacific Fleet, for his introduction. And thank you for your service, Admiral.

I'm proud to be here today with a man who is doing an excellent job for the United States military, the Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld. (Applause.) On V-J Day in 1945, Secretary Rumsfeld was selling newspapers at the Coronado Ferry, Coronado, California. He went on to be a Navy pilot. And today, he's a trusted advisor in my Cabinet. Mr. Secretary, proud to have you here. (Applause.)

I want to thank the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Duncan Hunter. Congressman Hunter is with us today. (Applause.) Congressman Duncan Hunter is, today, here with his dad, Robert Hunter, who served in World War II. And he has a son who is a proud Marine in Iraq. (Applause.)

I want to thank Secretary Tom Johnson of the California Department of Veteran Affairs. I want to thank Mayor Tom Smisek and his wife, Peggy. He's the mayor of Coronado. I appreciate you, Mr. Mayor. I want to thank Vice Admiral Barry Costello, Rear Admiral Mike Miller, Read Admiral Len Hering, Captain Tim Alexander. I want to thank Command Master Chief Mick Fulton, Chief Petty Officer Swisher. I want to thank all the men and women who wear the uniform for greeting us today. (Applause.)

We're proud to be in the company of Medal of Honor recipients -- Robert Modrzejewski, Jay Vargas, Red Millett, John Finn, John McGinty. Thank you for coming. Thank you for your courage. (Applause.)

Finally, I want to thank Sybil Stockdale, the wife of Admiral James Stockdale, for being with us today. (Applause.)

Sixty years ago this Friday, General Douglas MacArthur accepted the Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. With Japan's surrender, the last of our enemies in World War II was defeated, and a World War that began for America in the Pacific came to an end in the Pacific. As we mark this anniversary, we are again a nation at war. Once again, war came to our shores with a surprise attack that killed thousands in cold blood. Once again, we face determined enemies who follow a ruthless ideology that despises everything America stands for. Once again, America and our allies are waging a global campaign with forces deployed on virtually every continent. And once again, we will not rest until victory is America's and our freedom is secure. (Applause.)

In the midst of this struggle, we have confidence in our cause because we know that America has faced down brutal enemies before. We have confidence in our cause because we've seen the power of freedom to overcome the darkness of tyranny and terror. And we have confidence in our cause because we know the character and courage of those who wear the uniform of the United States military. (Applause.)

Fifty years ago we saw that character and that courage in men such as Leon Stone, who was a young Navy sailor aboard the battleship West Virginia, supporting the Marines at Iwo Jima. We saw that courage in men such as Jim Simpson, who was one of those Marines. They didn't know each other, but they came together to fight for America's security. They came together to join a mighty force that defeated the Japanese empire. Jim Simpson and Leon Stone did finally meet one day when Leon's son and Jim's daughter got married.

And today, their grandson, Captain Randy Stone, carries on a proud family tradition. Captain Stone is a Marine officer now serving in Iraq. He knows that he and his generation are doing the same vital work in this war on terror that his grandparents did in World War II. He also knows how this struggle will end. Randy says, "I know we will win because I see it in the eyes of the Marines every morning. In their eyes is the sparkle of victory." (Applause.)

Captain Stone proudly wears the uniform just as his grandfathers did at Iwo Jima. He's guided by the same convictions they carried into battle. He shares the same willingness to serve a cause greater than himself. Many of you grew up with dads and granddads who have similar stories about their World War II service. They're the modest sons of a peaceful country. And a grateful nation thanks them for their sacrifice that preserved our freedom and our way of life. (Applause.)

The men and women who served in World War II belonged to a generation that kept its faith even when liberty's ultimate triumph was far from clear. When America was attacked at Pearl Harbor, our country was just emerging from a depression. More than half a dozen nations had large armies than we did. In Asia and Europe, country after country had fallen before the disciplined armies of the militaristic regimes. These events led many to conclude that freedom had seen its day, and that the future belonged to the hard men in Berlin and Tokyo.

Franklin Roosevelt refused to accept that democracy was finished. His optimism reflected his belief that the enemy's will to power could not withstand our will to live in freedom. He told the American people that our liberty depended on the success of liberty in other lands. And he called on Americans to defend that liberty, and millions answered the call. Within four years, America would recover from the devastation of Pearl Harbor. Within four years, we would fight and win a world war on two fronts.

Our victory in Asia was a particular triumph for the United States Navy. After Pearl Harbor our Pacific Fleet was nearly destroyed and the enemy appeared invincible. Those were dark days for freedom, but the darkness would not long prevail. From the daring first attack on Japanese soil led by Jimmy Doolittle and launched from the deck of the USS Hornet, to the Battle of Midway, to the flag-raising of Iwo Jima, our troops in the Pacific gave Americans back home reason to believe that President Roosevelt was right, that democracy was the most unconquerable of all forms of human society.

President Roosevelt was guided in victory in World War II by certain timeless principles. First, President Roosevelt believed that free nations could muster the resolve to defend themselves. In his day that belief was sorely tested by a ruthless and determined enemy. Our troops in the Pacific found themselves up against a ferocity they had never before encountered -- kamikaze pilots on suicidal missions, soldiers who fought to the last man, commanders animated by a fanatical belief that their nation was ordained to rule the Asian continent. This enemy took many lives and left many grieving families. Yet, in the end, they were no match for the forces of the United States and our allies. In the end they were defeated by Americans who only months before had been farmers and bank clerks and factory hands. And in the end, the victorious children of democracy would help their defeated enemies rebuild, and bring the taste of freedom to millions.

One of the first to recognize this truth was a member of Japan's surrender delegation aboard the USS Missouri. He went to the ceremony expecting to hear how the allies intended to take their vengeance on the defeated. Instead he heard General MacArthur speak about a future of freedom for Japan, and he realized the true source of America's military might. He wrote, "We weren't beaten on the battlefield by the dint of superior arms; we were defeated in the spiritual conquest by virtue of a nobler idea." (Applause.) In World War II, wherever our troops raised the flag of victory, they would also sow the seeds of liberty, and as a result, the world is better off. (Applause.)

Secondly, President Roosevelt believed that the call to freedom is universal. Many of our closest allies did not agree with him about this, and the political map of Asia seemed to confirm their skepticism. At the beginning of the war, the Pacific had only two democracies: Australia and New Zealand. Even in nations where the rule was not harsh, the best that most Asian people could expect was benevolent colonialism. The Japanese claimed they were ridding the continent of foreign colonialism. But millions of Chinese and Burmese and other Asian people soon learned that Tokyo had simply replaced Western colonialism with a version that was often more harsh and repressive.

President Roosevelt, and later President Truman, wisely resolved that we would not make that mistake in our treatment of a defeated Japan. They understood that the sacrifices of allied forces would mean nothing unless we used our victory to help the Japanese people transform their nation from tyranny to freedom. There were many doubters. American and Japanese experts claimed that the Japanese weren't ready for democracy.

In a letter to a friend back home, one of our soldiers on the ground offered a different view. Sergeant Richard Leonard's brother had been killed in fighting the Japanese, but after being stationed in Japan and meeting Japanese people, he found he could not hate them. He wrote, "Sure, we've got to occupy their country and watch them. But at the same time, we've got to help them and do everything possible to reconstruct them as a peace-loving nation." Sergeant Leonard was right. And America did just what he thought we should do. And as we look at what he and his generation accomplished in Japan, we know it is a mistake to believe that some people are not fit for equality and freedom our Creator intended for all. (Applause.)

Third, President Roosevelt believed that free nations are peaceful nations that would not threaten America. He knew that it was the lack of democracy in Japan that allowed an unelected group of militarists to take control of the state, threaten our neighbors, attack America, and plunge an entire region into war. And he knew that the best way to bring peace and stability to the region was by bringing freedom to Japan.

Democracy takes different forms in different cultures. Japanese democracy would be different from American democracy. The Japanese constitution would guarantee the universal freedoms that are the foundation of all genuine democracies, while, at the same time, reflecting the unique traditions and needs of the Japanese people. It allowed for both an electoral democracy and a heredity monarchy. It set Japan on the path to a free society.

With every step toward freedom, the Japanese economy flourished. With every step toward freedom, the Japanese became a model for others in the region. With every step toward freedom, the Japanese became a valued member of the world community, a force for peace and stability in the region, and a trusted and reliable ally of the United States of America.

I've experienced this transformation in a very personal way. During World War II, my dad was one of the Navy's youngest pilots and was shot down over the Pacific. At the same time, an official named Joonya Koizumi served in Japan's legislative assembly. Today, their sons serve as the elected leaders of two free nations. Prime Minister Koizumi is a respected leader and one of my best friends in the international community. Our two democracies are among the world's closest allies. And all Americans are safer and more secure because the Japanese people are free. (Applause.)

Today we must not forget the lessons of the past, and the lesson of this experience is clear: The most powerful weapon in the arsenal of democracy is the spirit of liberty. In the 20th century, the spirit of liberty worked to spread freedom from Japan and Germany to Eastern Europe and Latin America and Southeast Asia and Africa. And the spirit of liberty is at work today. Across the broader Middle East, we can see freedom's power to transform nations and deliver hope to people who have not known it. In Afghanistan and Iraq and Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories, people have gone to the polls and chosen their leaders in free elections. Their example is inspiring millions across that region to claim their liberty, as well -- and they will have it. (Applause.)

In Iraq, people have come together to write a constitution that guarantees freedom for all Iraqi citizens. The document they have produced protects fundamental human freedoms, including freedom for women, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, freedom of conscience, and freedom of expression. This constitution is the result of democratic debate and compromise, and the Iraqi citizens can be proud of what they have accomplished. (Applause.)

As freedom advances across a troubled part of the world, it is once again opposed by fanatical adherence of a murderous ideology. And once again, the stakes are high. Now, as then, our enemies have made their fight a test of American credibility and resolve. Now, as then, they are trying to intimidate free people and break our will. And now, as then, they will fail. (Applause.)

They will fail because the terrorists of our century are making the same mistake that the followers of other totalitarian ideologies made in the last century. They believe that democracies are inherently weak and corrupt and can be brought to their knees. They looked at our response after the hostage crisis in Iran, the bombings of the Marine barracks in Lebanon, the first World Trade Center attack, the killing of American soldiers in Somalia, the destruction of two U.S. embassies in Africa, and the attack on the USS Cole. They concluded that free societies lack the courage and character to defend themselves against a determined enemy. Hear the words of Osama bin Laden that explain why he believed he could get away with the attacks of September the 11th, 2001: "We've seen in the last decade the decline of the American government and the weakness of the American soldier, who is ready to wage cold wars and unprepared to fight long wars... After a few blows they ran in defeat... [They forgot] about being a world leader..." End quote.

After September the 11th, 2001, we've taught the terrorists a very different lesson. America will not run in defeat, and we will not forget our responsibilities. We have brought down two murderous regimes. We're driving terrorists from their sanctuaries. We're putting the terrorists on the run all across the world. (Applause.)

The terrorists and insurgents are now waging a brutal campaign of terror in Iraq. They kill innocent men and women and children in the hopes of intimidating Iraqis. They're trying to scare them away from democracy. They're trying to break the will of the American people. Their goal is to turn Iraq into a failed state like Afghanistan was under the Taliban. If Zarqawi and bin Laden gain control of Iraq, they would create a new training ground for future terrorist attacks; they'd seize oil fields to fund their ambitions; they could recruit more terrorists by claiming an historic victory over the United States and our coalition.

Our goal is clear, as well. We will defeat the terrorists. We'll build a free Iraq that will fight terrorists instead of giving them aid and sanctuary. A free Iraq will offer people throughout the Middle East a hopeful alternative to the hateful ideology being peddled by the terrorists. A free Iraq will show that when America gives its word, America keeps its word.

That choice -- this is the choice we face: Do we return to the pre-September the 11th mind-set of isolation and retreat, or do we continue to take the fight to the enemy and support our allies in the broader Middle East? I've made my decision: We will stay on the offensive. We will stand with the people of Iraq, and we will prevail. (Applause.)

We will prevail because this generation is determined to meet the threats of our time. We will prevail because this generation wants to leave a more hopeful world for our children and grandchildren. We will prevail because the desire to live in freedom is embedded in the soul of every man, woman and child on this Earth. And we will prevail because our freedom is defended by the greatest force for liberation that humankind has ever known, the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. (Applause.)

In this war, some of our best citizens have made the ultimate sacrifice. We mourn the lose of every life. We pray for their loved ones. And we will honor their sacrifice by completing the mission and laying the foundation for peace. (Applause.)

Sixty years ago, American forces made the same type of sacrifice and helped liberate two continents, and made our world a more peaceful place. The men and women of World War II brought honor to the uniform, and to our flag, and to our country. With each passing day their ranks thin, but the peace they built endures. And we will never let the new enemies of a new century destroy with cowardice what these Americans built with courage. (Applause.)

Sixty years after V-J Day, our military veterans can take heart from the example they see right here in San Diego. Those of you who wear the nation's uniform today are every bit as selfless and dedicated to liberty as the generations that came before. And when we will look at you we know our freedom is in good hands. (Applause.)

It is men and women like you who keep us free. It is the spirit of liberty that keeps you strong, and it is the history that gives us confidence to know that in the vital work of spreading liberty, America, and those of us who love freedom will prevail.

May God bless you all, and may God continue to bless America. (Applause.)

END 9:35 A.M. PDT For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, August 30, 2005

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Disaster Medical Deployed For Hurricane Katrina (real time loop)

Washington Disaster Medical Assistance Team Deployed To Gulf States For Hurricane Katrina

FEMA Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, like this one shown, will be assisting with treating patients coming to area hospitals following Hurricane Katrina. Jocelyn Augustino/FEMA News Photo

Hurricane, Tropical Storm Real Time Loop This loop intended for informational purposes only! For Emergency situations, please refer to your local Emergency Management Office

Release Date: August 30, 2005, Release number: R10-05-083

SEATTLE, Wash. -- Medical specialists from Washington-1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) have been deployed to Gulf Coast states to assist in the response effort to Hurricane Katrina. Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) deployed Washington-1 DMAT to be ready to assist communities in the area with emergency medical needs following Hurricane Katrina.

“FEMA is coordinating the mobilization of all available federal resources to help residents who may be in the path of this dangerous storm. The DMAT teams play a critical role in the medical response to a disaster by assisting communities whose medical resources may be overwhelmed,” said Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response.

The WA-1 DMAT joins similar teams from Massachusetts, New Mexico, Ohio, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Florida, and according to WA-1 DMAT Team Commander Bill Engler, the teams will deploy as needed into Hurricane Katrina-affected areas. “We are prepared to help the residents of affected states with their medical needs, and we have some of the finest emergency medical personnel from Washington State responding to this disaster,” said Bill Engler. “Our team members are experienced in these situations and ready to mobilize when the call comes.”

These teams are part of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), which is one of the resources brought to FEMA since the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Washington-1 is one of the leading DMATs in the U.S., developed in the late ‘80’s. The unit is designed to be self-sufficient for 72 hours with supplies including food and medicine. FEMA DMATs have responded to large-scale disasters including the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001. NDMS Teams were also deployed in 2004 to support the G8 Summit in Georgia, the National Democratic Convention in Boston and the Republican National Convention in New York.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

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National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, 2005

National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, 2005, A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among American men. This year, thousands of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and thousands will die from the disease. While great strides have been made in the battle against prostate cancer, we have more work to do. During National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we renew our commitment to fight prostate cancer by finding better ways to prevent, detect, and treat this deadly disease.

My Administration is committed to funding research for prevention and better treatments for prostate cancer. This year, the National Institutes of Health will invest an estimated $381 million in prostate cancer research, including $310 million at the National Cancer Institute. The Department of Defense's Prostate Cancer Research Program will spend an estimated $85 million, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will devote an estimated $14 million toward prostate cancer research. Scientists are examining risk factors to identify ways to prevent prostate cancer, and they are finding ways to detect this disease earlier, when it is easier to treat. In addition, newer treatments are helping to slow or stop the spread of prostate cancer in men with advanced stages of the disease. This progress offers hope to men who are living with prostate cancer and those who are at risk.

As we observe National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, I encourage all men, especially those over the age of 50, to talk with their doctors about the risk of prostate cancer and the appropriate screenings. I commend those who fight this disease, and I applaud the dedication of researchers, health care providers, and all who are working to increase our knowledge of prostate cancer. By raising awareness and supporting research, we can save lives.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2005 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. I call upon government officials, businesses, communities, health care professionals, educators, volunteers, and all people of the United States to reaffirm our Nation's strong and continuing commitment to treat and prevent prostate cancer.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty ninth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.

GEORGE W. BUSH # # #

For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, August 29, 2005

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FEMA Responding to Hurricane Katrina (real time loop)

Assistance Continues To Areas Impacted By Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane, Tropical Storm Real Time Loop This loop intended for informational purposes only! For Emergency situations, please refer to your local Emergency Management Office

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response and head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, announced that federal resources and support are continuing in four states as Hurricane Katrina makes its second landfall today.

Members of a FEMA Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) (shown here preparing supplies) are being deployed to care for the sick and injured in stricken areas. Jocelyn Augustino/FEMA News Photo

President Bush declared federal emergencies in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi on Sunday. A federal disaster was declared for southern Florida counties impacted by Katrina’s first landfall on Friday.

“This hurricane has caused devastation over a wide area across four states,” said Brown. “FEMA, along with our federal partners and state counterparts, is working 24 hours a day to support emergency protective response and recovery efforts in the impacted states.”

As of early August 29, approximately 52,000 people were in 240 shelters in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida and Texas, with the majority in the New Orleans Superdome. Strategic housing planning is underway to address expected continued sheltering and eventual housing needs.

In addition to holding regular briefings with emergency management officials in the affected states, FEMA reported the following activities, as of 10 a.m. today, as part of the ongoing federal response.

FEMA’s emergency teams and resources are being deployed and configured for coordinated response to Hurricane Katrina. This includes pre-staging critical commodities such as ice, water, meals, and tarps in various strategic locations to be made available to residents of affected areas.

FEMA’s Hurricane Liaison Team is onsite and working closely with the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla.

FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center and Regional Response Coordination Centers in Atlanta, Ga., and Denton, Texas, are operating around the clock, coordinating the prepositioning of assets and responding to state requests for assistance.

FEMA has deployed a National Emergency Response Team to Louisiana with a coordination cell positioned at the State Emergency Operations Center in Baton Rouge to facilitate state requests for assistance. In addition, four Advance Emergency Response Teams have been deployed to locations in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. The teams include federal liaisons who work directly within county emergency operations centers to respond to critical needs as they are identified by local officials and prioritized by the state.

Rapid Needs Assessment teams have been prestaged in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

Nine Urban Search and Rescue task forces and incident support teams have been deployed. The task forces are from Florida, Virginia, Maryland, Texas, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, and Missouri.

Thirty-one teams from the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) have been deployed to staging areas in Anniston, Ala., Memphis, Tenn., Houston, Dallas, and New Orleans, including 23 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams. The teams bring truckloads of medical equipment and supplies with them and are trained to handle trauma, pediatrics, surgery and mental health problems. Two Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams are also included as part of NDMS assets deployed, which are able to support and rescue pets, and provide any needed veterinary medical care for rescue dogs.

Voluntary agencies, important partners in disasters, are prepared to augment local government services with shelters, mobile feeding units, water and clean-up supplies.

FEMA has 500 trucks of ice, 500 trucks of water and 350 trucks of meals ready to eat (MREs) available for distribution over the next 10 days.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003. Release Date: August 29, 2005, Release Number: HQ-05-175

Source: FEMA more at President Bush or Hurricane Katrina and Katrina or FEMA and hurricane

Hurricane Katrina Homeland Security Media Advisory

Media Advisory, Under Secretary Of Homeland Security To Brief On Hurricane Katrina Response Operations

BATON ROUGE, LA - Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response and head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will join Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco and U.S. Senators Mary Landrieu and David Vitter on Monday, August 29, 2005, at a media briefing to provide an update on Hurricane Katrina response operations.

WHO: Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security
Louisiana Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco
U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu
U.S. Senator David Vitter

WHERE: Louisiana State EOC Media Room
7667 Independence Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70806

WHEN: 3:30 p.m. CDT/4:30 p.m. EDT

The press briefing will be fed live via satellite uplink, with the feed window opening at 3:15 p.m. CDT/4:15 p.m. EDT. Satellite coordinates are Galaxy 3C (at 95° West), Analog Ku - Transponder 12, Downlink: 11930 Horizontal.

Those who cannot attend the news conference may listen in by telephone starting at 3:15 pm CDT. To connect to the audio feed, call 1-800-320-4330 and enter pin 051397#. Please note that this is a listen-only line, and callers will not be able to submit questions to participants.

Requests for interviews with Under Secretary Brown should be submitted to FEMA News Desk at (202) 646-4600.

Hurricane, Tropical Storm Real Time Loop This loop intended for informational purposes only! For Emergency situations, please refer to your local Emergency Management Office

	Residents are bringing their belongings and lining up to get into the Superdome which has been opened as a hurricane shelter in advance of hurricane Katrina. Most residents have evacuated the city and those left behind do not have transportation or have special needs. Marty Bahamonde/FEMA
	FEMA employee loads supplies in a FEMA trailer in anticipation of the possible arrival of Hurricane Katrina. Nicolas Britto/FEMA

Source: FEMA more at President Bush or Hurricane Katrina and Katrina or FEMA and hurricane

Hurricane Katrina Update (real time loop)

Hurricane Katrina Update Hurricane, Tropical Storm Real Time Loop This loop intended for informational purposes only! For Emergency situations, please refer to your local Emergency Management Office

bottled water, stored at the FEMA Palmetto Regional Distribution Center, is to be distributed to affected states as need. FEMA is staging supplies in preparation of the second landfall of Hurricane Katrina. FEMA Photo/Mark Wolfe

President Bush has authorized emergency assistance for states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama opening up FEMA’s ability to move into the state with federal resources to assist the state and local governments with mobilizing resources and preparations to save lives and property from the impact of Hurricane Katrina. The President has also authorized a declaration for public assistance for the southern tip of Florida in response to Hurricane Katrina's first landfall on Friday. FEMA is moving federal response teams as well as supplies of generators, water, ice and food and other emergency commodities into the region for immediate deployment once the storm passes to any of the Gulf Coast states impacted and in need.

Source: FEMA more at President Bush or Hurricane Katrina and Katrina or FEMA and hurricane

New Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit

Fact Sheet: New Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit to Include Low-Cost Options

Today's Presidential Action

Today, President Bush Announced New Low-Cost Options Under The Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit That Will Be Available Beginning In January 2006. Medicare beneficiaries will have choices for prescription drug coverage that will cost less and offer more benefits than originally expected. Competition is working to drive down prices, and the President encouraged seniors across the country to sign up for the new benefit.

Prescription Drug Plans Will Offer Low-Cost Alternatives For Medicare Beneficiaries. Medicare beneficiaries in almost every state will be able to choose plans that have a premium of less than $20 per month. In addition, some plans will have zero deductibles or deductibles lower than $250 annually, and other plans will provide additional benefits to help cover the gap in Medicare's standard coverage.

New Medicare Coverage Will Offer All Medicare Beneficiaries Better Choices

Reform Brought Medicare Into The 21st Century. Medicare was created 40 years ago to provide health care for seniors and people with disabilities, but it had not kept up with advances in medicine. For example, Medicare would pay $28,000 for ulcer surgery, but not $500 for prescription drugs to prevent ulcers. In addition, Medicare would pay for heart surgery, but not for drugs to prevent the heart surgery from being needed. Reform had been promised for years. The Medicare Modernization Act signed by President Bush got it done.

Millions Of Americans Are Already Taking Part In Medicare's Expanded Range Of Health Care Services. Medicare offers a variety of new programs, including: a prescription drug discount card; preventive care like the "Welcome to Medicare" physical; and cardiovascular and blood sugar screenings that can help identify and prevent high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

New Medicare Coverage Will Help All Medicare Beneficiaries Pay For Prescription Drugs. Starting in January, drug coverage will be available that will allow seniors with no drug coverage and average drug expenses to cut their drug costs by half or more. For catastrophic coverage, Medicare will also cover 95 percent of all prescription costs once beneficiaries spend $3,600 of their own money each year.

New Medicare Drug Benefits Offer Choice And Flexibility. Everyone on Medicare can pick the drug plan that fits his or her individual needs. Beneficiaries will be able to choose brand name drugs or generic drugs - and pick them up at local pharmacies or receive them by mail.

Seniors Can Get Support For Retiree Plans. Medicare will help pay for the costs of good retiree drug coverage from a former employer or union to help keep retiree coverage secure.

Medicare Advantage Plans Allow Seniors And Americans With Disabilities To Get Better Drug Benefits At A Lower Cost. Seniors and Americans with disabilities who choose to enroll in Medicare Advantage Plans can get additional coverage at a lower cost, saving an average of $100 per month compared to traditional Medicare.

Medicare Will Pay Nearly All Drug Bills For Seniors With Limited Means. About one-third of seniors will be eligible for a Medicare drug benefit with little or no premiums, low deductibles, and no gaps in coverage. Co-payments will amount to no more than $5 for most seniors with limited means, and more than 95 percent of their drug bills will be covered. No senior will ever again have to choose between paying for their drugs and paying for other basic necessities like food and rent.

President Bush Urged Seniors And Americans With Disabilities To Take Part In New Medicare Benefits

The Administration Is Conducting A National Outreach Effort. This effort is bringing medical, community, and local partners together with the Federal government to educate seniors and Americans with disabilities about the new prescription drug benefit. Those with questions can also call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov for answers.

Eligibility Forms For The Limited-Income Subsidy Are Available Now. Millions of current Medicaid beneficiaries with limited means will be automatically enrolled for extra help with drug costs, and subsidy applications have been mailed by the Social Security Administration to millions of other low-income seniors and Americans with disabilities who are likely to be eligible. Forms are also available at locations around the country, including over 30,000 pharmacies. No financial documents or complicated records are required. "When in doubt, fill it out." # # #

For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, August 29, 2005

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President, Hurricane Katrina, Iraqis Draft Constitution

President Discusses Hurricane Katrina, Congratulates Iraqis on Draft Constitution Prairie Chapel Ranch, Crawford, Texas, 11:31 A.M. CDT

President George W. Bush is handed a map by Deputy Chief of Staff Joe Hagin, center, during a video teleconference with federal and state emergency management organizations on Hurricane Katrina

from his Crawford, Texas ranch on Sunday August 28, 2005. White House photo by Paul Morse.

THE PRESIDENT: This morning I spoke with FEMA Undersecretary Mike Brown and emergency management teams not only at the federal level but at the state level about the -- Hurricane Katrina. I've also spoken to Governor Blanco of Louisiana, Governor Barbour of Mississippi, Governor Bush of Florida, and Governor Riley of Alabama. I want to thank all the folks at the federal level and the state level and the local level who have taken this storm seriously. I appreciate the efforts of the governors to prepare their citizenry for this upcoming storm.

Yesterday, I signed a disaster declaration for the state of Louisiana, and this morning I signed a disaster declaration for the state of Mississippi. These declarations will allow federal agencies to coordinate all disaster relief efforts with state and local officials. We will do everything in our power to help the people in the communities affected by this storm.

Hurricane Katrina is now designated a category five hurricane. We cannot stress enough the danger this hurricane poses to Gulf Coast communities. I urge all citizens to put their own safety and the safety of their families first by moving to safe ground. Please listen carefully to instructions provided by state and local officials.

On another matter, today Iraqi political leaders completed the process for drafting a permanent constitution. Their example is an inspiration to all who share the universal values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. The negotiators and drafters of this document braved the intimidation of terrorists and they mourn the cowardly assassination of friends and colleagues involved in the process of drafting the constitution.

Their efforts follow the bravery of the Iraqis who voted by the millions to elect a transitional government in January. The example of those voters remains a humbling testament to the power of free people to shape and define their own destiny. We honor their courage and sacrifice, and we are determined to see the Iraqis fully secure their democratic gains.

The Iraqi people have once again demonstrated to the world that they are up to the historic challenges before them. The document they have produced contains far-reaching protections for fundamental human freedoms, including religion, assembly, conscience and expression. It vests sovereignty in the people to be expressed by secret ballot and regular elections. It declares that all Iraqis are equal before the law without regard to gender, ethnicity and religion. This is a document of which the Iraqis and the rest of the world can be proud.

The local process now advances to another important stage for a new and free Iraq. In coming months, Iraqis will discuss and debate the draft constitution. On October the 15th, they will vote for a national referendum to decide whether to ratify the constitution and set the foundation for a permanent Iraqi government. If the referendum succeeds, Iraqis will elect a new government to serve under the new constitution on December the 15th, and that government will take office before the end of the year.

This course is going to be difficult largely because the terrorists have chosen to wage war against a future of freedom. They are waging war against peace in Iraq. As democracy in Iraq takes root, the enemies of freedom, the terrorists, will become more desperate, more despicable, and more vicious.

Just last week, the terrorists called for the death of anyone, including women and the elderly, who supports the democratic process in Iraq. They have deliberately targeted children receiving candy from soldiers. They have targeted election workers registering Iraqis to vote. They have targeted hospital workers who are caring for the wounded. We can expect such atrocities to increase in the coming months because the enemy knows that its greatest defeat lies in the expression of free people, and freely enacted laws, and at the ballot box.

We will stand with the Iraqi people. It's in our interest to stand with the Iraqi people. It's in our interest to lay the foundation of peace. We'll help them confront this barbarism, and we will triumph over the terrorist's dark ideology of hatred and fear.

There have been disagreements amongst the Iraqis about this particular constitution. Of course there's disagreements. We're watching a political process unfold, a process that has encouraged debate and compromise; a constitution that was written in a -- in a society in which people recognize that -- that there had to be give and take.

I want our folks to remember our own constitution was not unanimously received. Some delegates at the Philadelphia Convention in 1787 refused to sign it, and the draft was vigorously debated in every state, and the outcome was not assured until all the votes were counted.

We recognize that there's a split amongst the Sunnis, for example, in Iraq. And I suspect that when you get down to it, you'll find a Shiia who disagrees with the constitution and Shiia who support the constitution, and perhaps some Kurds who are concerned about the constitution. In other words, we're watching a political process unfold. Some Sunnis have expressed reservations about various provisions of the constitution, and that's their right as free individuals living in a free society. There are strong beliefs among other Sunnis that this constitution is good for all Iraqis and that it adequately reflects compromises suitable to all groups.

It's important that all Iraqis now actively engage in the constitutional process by debating the merits of this important document and making an informed decision on October the 15th.

On behalf of the American people, I congratulate the people of Iraq on completing the next step in their transition from dictatorship to democracy. And I want to remind the American people, as the democracy unfolds in Iraq, not only will it help make America more secure, but it will affect the broader Middle East. Democracies don't war with their neighbors; democracies don't become safe haven for terrorists who want to destroy innocent life. We have hard work ahead of us, but we're on the -- we're making good progress toward making sure this world of ours is more peaceful for generations to come.

Thank you very much.

END 11:39 A.M. CDT For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, August 28, 2005

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Coffee is number one source of antioxidants

Coffee is number one source of antioxidants

	WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 — Coffee provides more than just a morning jolt; that steaming cup of java is also the number one source of antioxidants in the U.S. diet, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Scranton (Pa.).

Their study was described today at the 230th national meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society.

"Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee than any other dietary source. Nothing else comes close," says study leader Joe Vinson, Ph.D., a chemistry professor at the university. Although fruits and vegetables are generally promoted as good sources of antioxidants, the new finding is surprising because it represents the first time that coffee has been shown to be the primary source from which most Americans get their antioxidants, Vinson says. Both caffeinated and decaf versions appear to provide similar antioxidant levels, he adds.

He cautions that high antioxidant levels in foods and beverages don't necessarily translate into levels found in the body. The potential health benefits of these antioxidants ultimately depends on how they are absorbed and utilized in the body, a process that is still poorly understood, says Vinson, whose study was primarily funded by the American Cocoa Research Institute.

The news follows a growing number of reports touting the potential health benefits of drinking coffee. It also comes at an appropriate time: Coffee consumption is on the rise in the United States and over half of Americans drink it everyday, according to the National Coffee Association.

Antioxidants in general have been linked to a number of potential health benefits, including protection against heart disease and cancer. For the current study, Vinson and his associates analyzed the antioxidant content of more than 100 different food items, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, spices, oils and common beverages. The data was compared to an existing U.S. Department of Agriculture database on the contribution of each type of food item to the average estimated U.S. per capita consumption.

Coffee came out on top, on the combined basis of both antioxidants per serving size and frequency of consumption, Vinson says. Java easily outranked such popular antioxidant sources as tea, milk, chocolate and cranberries, he says. Of all the foods and beverages studied, dates actually have the most antioxidants of all based solely on serving size, according to Vinson. But since dates are not consumed at anywhere near the level of coffee, the blue ribbon goes to our favorite morning pick-me-up as the number one source of antioxidants, he says.

Besides keeping you alert and awake, coffee has been linked to an increasing number of potential health benefits, including protection against liver and colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, and Parkinson's disease, according to some recently published studies. But there's also a downside: Java can make you jittery and cause stomach pains, while some studies have tied it to elevated blood pressure and heart rates. More research is needed, particularly human studies, to firmly establish its health benefits, Vinson says.

While the findings would seem to encourage people to go out and drink more coffee, Vinson emphasizes moderation. "One to two cups a day appear to be beneficial," he says. If you don't like coffee, consider drinking black tea, which is the second most consumed antioxidant source in the U.S. diet, Vinson says. Bananas, dry beans and corn placed third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

But don't forget about fresh fruits and veggies, the researcher cautions. "Unfortunately, consumers are still not eating enough fruits and vegetables, which are better for you from an overall nutritional point of view due to their higher content of vitamins, minerals and fiber," Vinson says. Dates, cranberries and red grapes are among the top fruits for antioxidants on the basis of concentration (antioxidants per serving size), he says.

The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization, chartered by the U.S. Congress, with a multidisciplinary membership of more than 158,000 chemists and chemical engineers. It publishes numerous scientific journals and databases, convenes major research conferences and provides educational, science policy and career programs in chemistry. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio. ###

The paper on this research, AGFD 10, will be presented at 8:30 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 28, at the Washington Convention Center, Room 203A, during the symposium "The Potential Health Benefits of Antioxidants."

Joe A. Vinson, Ph.D., is a professor of chemistry at the University of Scranton in Scranton, Pa.

Contact: Charmayne Marsh Michael Bernstein 202-872-4400 202-249-4137 (Aug. 27 - Sept. 1) American Chemical Society

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Writing at the nanoscale

Writing at the nanoscale

Brookhaven's 'Electro Pen' may impact a host of developing nanotechnologies

UPTON, NY -- At the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory, scientists have developed a new chemical "writing" technique that can create lines of "ink" only a few tens of nanometers, or billionths of a meter, in width.

"Our new 'writing' method opens up many new possibilities for creating nanoscale patterns and features on surfaces. This may have a significant impact on developing nanotechnologies that involve nanopatterning, such as molecular electronics -- tiny circuits built using single organic molecules," said Brookhaven Lab physicist Yuguang Cai. Cai will discuss the method at the 230th American Chemical Society national meeting in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, August 28, at 12 p.m. in room 8-9 of the Renaissance Hotel.

Cai and his colleagues call the technique "Electro Pen Nanolithography" (EPN). They sweep a very thin metal tip across a film of organic molecules. The tip carries an electric voltage, which causes the region under it to "oxidize," or undergo a reaction that changes the chemical makeup of the film. In a single sweep of the pen, organic "ink" molecules are transferred from the tip to the oxidized regions, creating an extremely thin line.

Each line is just one molecule thick, but the researchers can produce multilayered patterns by writing over the existing pattern. This gives them the ability to create three-dimensional nanoscale "landscapes." Moreover, by turning off the voltage, they can use the tip as a tiny "scanner" to "read" and create an image of the pattern just written.

With further research, EPN may have the ability to "write" biomolecular materials, such as proteins, onto surfaces. These nanoscale protein deposits might, for example, serve as biosensors. ###

This research is supported by the Office of Basic Energy Sciences within the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.

One of the ten national laboratories overseen and primarily funded by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Brookhaven National Laboratory conducts research in the physical, biomedical, and environmental sciences, as well as in energy technologies and national security. Brookhaven Lab also builds and operates major scientific facilities available to university, industry and government researchers. Brookhaven is operated and managed for DOE's Office of Science by Brookhaven Science Associates, a limited-liability company founded by Stony Brook University, the largest academic user of Laboratory facilities, and Battelle, a nonprofit, applied science and technology organization. Visit Brookhaven Lab's electronic newsroom for links, news archives, graphics, and more: bnl.gov/newsroom

Contact: Laura Mgrdichian mgrdichian@bnl.gov 631 344-8191 DOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory

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Higher Temperatures Prehistoric Extinction

Climate Model Links Higher Temperatures to Prehistoric Extinction

BOULDER—Scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) have created a computer simulation showing Earth's climate in unprecedented detail at the time of the greatest mass extinction in the planet's history. The work gives support to a theory that an abrupt and dramatic rise in atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide triggered the massive die-off 251 million years ago. The research appears in the September issue of Geology.

"The results demonstrate how rapidly rising temperatures in the atmosphere can affect ocean circulation, cutting off oxygen to lower depths and extinguishing most life," says NCAR scientist Jeffrey Kiehl, the lead author.

Kiehl and coauthor Christine Shields focused on the dramatic events at the end of the Permian Era, when an estimated 90 to 95% of all marine species, as well as about 70% of all terrestrial species, became extinct. At the time of the event, higher-latitude temperatures were

18 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 30 degrees Celsius) higher than today, and extensive volcanic activity had released large amounts of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere over a 700,000-year period.

To solve the puzzle of how those conditions may have affected climate and life around the globe, the researchers turned to the Community Climate System Model (CCSM). One of the world's premier climate research tools, the model can integrate changes in atmospheric temperatures with ocean temperatures and currents. Research teams had previously studied the Permian extinction with more limited computer models that focused on a single component of Earth's climate system, such as the ocean.

The CCSM indicated that ocean waters warmed significantly at higher latitudes because of rising atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas. The warming reached a depth of about 10,000 feet (4,000 meters), interfering with the normal circulation process in which colder surface water descends, taking oxygen and nutrients deep into the ocean.

As a result, ocean waters became stratified with little oxygen, a condition that proved deadly to marine life. This in turn accelerated the warming, since marine organisms were no longer removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

"The implication of our study is that elevated CO2 is sufficient to lead to inhospitable conditions for marine life and excessively high temperatures over land would contribute to the demise of terrestrial life," the authors concluded in the article.

The CCSM's simulations showed that ocean circulation was even more stagnant than previously thought. In addition, the research demonstrated the extent to which computer models can successfully simulate past climate events. The CCSM appeared to correctly capture key details of the late Permian, including increased ocean salinity and sea surface temperatures in the high latitudes that paleontologists believe were 14 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius) higher than present.

This image shows annual mean surface temperatures in degrees Celsius at the time of the Permian extinction. It is based on a computer simulation generated by the Community Climate System Model at NCAR. (Illustration courtesy Jeff Kiehl, NCAR.)

The modeling presented unique challenges because of limited data and significant geographic differences between the Permian and present-day Earth. The researchers had to estimate such variables as the chemical composition of the atmosphere, the amount of sunlight reflected by Earth's surface back into the atmosphere, and the movement of heat and salinity in the oceans at a time when all the continents were consolidated into the giant land mass known as Pangaea.

"These results demonstrate the importance of treating Earth's climate as a system involving physical, chemical , and biological processes in the atmosphere, oceans, and land surface, all acting in an interactive manner," says Jay Fein, director of NSF's climate dynamics program, which funded the research. "Other studies have reached similar conclusions. What's new here is the application of a detailed version of one of the world's premier climate system models, the CCSM, to understand how rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide affected conditions in the world's oceans and land surfaces enough to trigger a massive extinction hundreds of millions of years ago."
Related sites on the World Wide Web, NCAR Climate and Global Dynamics Division home page

August 24, 2005 For Journalists Anatta, head of Media Relations, 303-497-8604, Jeffrey Kiehl, NCAR Climate and Global Dynamics Division 303-497-1350, Cheryl Dybas, NSF Public Affairs 703-292-7734, UCAR CommunicationsGeneral inquiries Yvonne Mondragon, 303-497-8601, Head of Visual Services Nita Razo, 303-497-8606

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DA VINCI AT THE ATOMIC SCALE

PROVING DA VINCI RIGHT AT THE ATOMIC SCALE

Ames Lab researchers use quasicrystal to prove 500 year-old theory

AMES, Iowa – A genius well ahead of his time, Leonardo Da Vinci continues to inspire even 500 years after his remarkable life. His works are central to the best selling mystery novel The Da Vinci Code and its upcoming film adaptation, and his theories on friction are helping a group of scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory unlock the mystery of friction at the molecular level.

In a nutshell, Da Vinci proposed that if two contacting surfaces are geometrically similar, – commensurable – they will have a much higher coefficient of friction than two geometrically dissimilar surfaces, due to the fact that the similar surfaces have a tendency to interlock. To test this theory at the molecular level, the research team looked at a quasicrystalline material that exhibits both periodic and aperiodic configurations in its crystal structure. What they found, in results to be published in the August 26 issue of the journal Science, was that friction along the periodic surface was about eight times greater than the friction along the aperiodic axis.

Until now, one of the main problems in exploring this theory was finding a material that exhibits both periodic and aperiodic order in its crystal structure. In a periodic structure, the atoms align in a regular, repeating, three-dimensional pattern. The atoms in an aperiodic structure are ordered, but the pattern in which they form isn’t regular. Preparing two different samples of the same material – one periodic and one aperiodic – won’t work because differences in the chemical makeup of the samples’ surfaces will affect surface frictional properties. The solution was to use a quasicrystalline material that simultaneously exhibits both periodic and aperiodic structure.

Ames Laboratory materials chemists Pat Thiel and Cynthia Jenks have studied the surface structure of quasicrystals for many years and were among of the first to demonstrate that the “clean” – unoxidized – surface of a quasicrystal showed distinct layers that were consistent in structure with the bulk material. They wondered if a quasicrystal’s low coefficient of friction is related to its high hardness or its unique structure.

To find out, Thiel’s group teamed with physicist Miquel Salmeron and his Berkeley Lab research group, that is world renowned for its expertise in the friction of crystalline materials. For this study, Ames Lab provided the quasicrystal expertise, preparing a single crystal quasicrystalline sample of aluminum-nickel-cobalt which typically exhibits a decagonal (10-sided) symmetry.

“By cutting it parallel to its 10-fold rotational axis, it produced a surface with one periodic and one aperiodic axis, separated by 90º,” Thiel said. “To keep the surface oxide-free and eliminate the effects that an oxide layer produces, the studies were conducted under ultra high vacuum conditions.”

To find out if Thiel’s and Jenks’ suspicions were correct, Salmeron and Jeong Young Park, used a combined atomic force-scanning tunneling microscope to conduct the friction studies. These two types of microscopes both use a probe that tapers to a single atom at its tip, but they perform different tasks.

The STM’s probe hovers just over the surface, close enough that the electrons in the sample’s atoms begin to “tunnel” or generate an electric current across the gap between the tip and the sample. Using the STM, Salmeron’s group was able to produce a “topographical” map of the surface, allowing them to determine the orientation of the periodic and aperiodic axes.

In AFM mode, the probe’s tip rests directly on the sample, allowing the frictional force to be measured as it moves over the sample’s surface atoms. To reduce the possibility of damage to the sample, the titanium-nitride tip was coated with a layer of hexadecane thiol. After a series of scans, the results clearly showed the friction along the periodic axis was eight times greater than the friction along the aperiodic axis.

“We believe the source of this friction has both an electronic and a phononic contribution (phonons are vibrations in a crystal lattice, like an atomic sound wave),” Park said, adding that new theoretical models are needed to determine whether electrons or phonons are the dominant contributors to the frictional anisotropy.

Ames Laboratory is operated for the Department of Energy by Iowa State University. The Lab conducts research into various areas of national concern, including energy resources, high-speed computer design, environmental cleanup and restoration, and the synthesis and study of new materials. ###

"High Frictional Anisotropy of Periodic and Aperiodic Directions on a Quasicrystal Surface," FILE IN PDF FORMAT by Jeong Young Park, D. F. Ogletree, M. Salmeron, R. A. Ribeiro, P. C. Canfield, C. J. Jenks, and P. A. Thiel appears in the August 26, 2005 issue of Science magazine Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's release, Of Friction and "The Da Vinci Code"

NEWS RELEASE Office of Public Affairs 111 TASF Ames, IA 50011-3020 external.ameslab.gov

For release: August 26, 2005, Contacts: Pat Thiel, Ames Laboratory, 515-294-8985, Cynthia Jenks, Ames Laboratory, 515-294-8486, Kerry Gibson, Ames Laboratory, 515-294-1405

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