Congressman John Conyers, Jr., Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks’ Kilpatrick are working together to provide immediate temporary shelter to victims of Hurricane Katrina. The three elected officials have worked out a plan that utilizes the resources at Selfridge Air Force Base as well as transportation services provided by private bus services to bring families displaced by the storm to temporary shelter in Detroit.

Mayor Kilpatrick says that the city of Detroit has the resources to offer temporary housing to approximately 500 families. “The devastation in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama is overwhelming,” said Congressman Conyers. “We wanted to reach out to some of the people who have been displaced by this storm and offer them a place to live,” Conyers explains.

The entire state of Michigan is joining in the effort to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Michigan Guard joins the relief effort tomorrow with the deployment of 182 members of the 1776 MP to Mississippi. Moreover, 18-24 members of the 1434th Water Purification Detachment is scheduled to depart for Louisiana on Saturday.

Detroit residents can assist the relief effort by collecting provisions for the Red Cross or any of the other agencies providing assistance to hurricane victims. “If you need more information or you would like a list of relief organizations currently providing food and supplies to Americans displaced by the storm please contact the office of Congressman Conyers at (313) 961-5670.

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