President to Send Delegation to Assess Relief Aid

President to Send Delegation to Assess Relief Aid

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

All Americans are shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of life and the destruction around the Indian Ocean. In this hour of critical need, America is joining with other nations and international organizations to do everything possible to provide assistance and relief to the victims and their families.

Already cargo aircraft, support personnel, naval units, and aid shipments have been dispatched. To coordinate this massive relief effort, first-hand assessments are needed by individuals on the ground. On Sunday, January 2, I will send a delegation of experts to the affected areas to meet with regional leaders and international organizations to assess what additional aid can be provided by the United States. The delegation will be led by Secretary of State Colin Powell and Governor Jeb Bush, who has extensive experience in the State of Florida with relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts following natural disasters. I look forward to receiving the delegation's assessment of the relief efforts so that our Government can best help those in need.

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary December 30, 2004
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LSA Anaconda, Balad, Iraq

Soldiers Deliver Supplies, Smiles to Local Children

> MNFI

LSA Anaconda, Balad, Iraq -- More than 120 students in the nearby village of Albu Hassan were treated to gifts delivered by Soldiers from the 1st Corps Support Command, 301st Signal Company and 353rd Civil Affairs Command on Dec. 28.

Soldiers distributed school supplies, T-shirts, footballs, beach balls and Frisbees to the students at the al-Salam school, who reacted to the supplies with grins and shouts of joy.

The school, which was opened in June, was built as part of Operation Anaconda Neighborhood, a collaborative effort of the units stationed here to improve the quality of life in the surrounding areas. Since its inception in January, OAN has spent more than $4.2 million to improve schools, medical clinics, roads and water filtration projects in the villages near here.

Release #0412029i SOURCE: MNFI