Congressman Elijah E. Cummings Proudly Representing Maryland's 7th District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2005

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Devika Koppikar
(202) 225-4741 or (202) 225-4025
Trudy Perkins
(410) 685-9199 or (202) 225-4741
Mike Christianson
(410) 685-9199 or (202) 225-9876

Washington, DC -- U.S. Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD) released the following statement in response to Hurricane Katrina that has ravaged parts of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama.

“My prayers are with the families of those who have lost their lives in this storm and I pray for the victims who must now recover after losing their homes and their livelihoods.

“I applaud all the disaster relief workers from across the country who are putting their lives on the line to help their fellow citizens.

“During this difficult time, I urge Americans in non-affected areas to do all that they can to provide assistance for those in need.

“I will work with my colleagues in Congress to expedite the delivery of federal resources needed to help restore the homes and businesses damaged by this storm.”

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Resources for the Storm
NOTE: ALL LINKS ON THIS PAGE ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS.  CLICKING ON ANY LICK BELOW WILL TAKE YOU FROM WWW.HOUSE.GOV.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is moving ice, water, meals, disaster relief teams into areas hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina. To apply for assistance call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The speech or hearing impaired may call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. In addition, you may find FEMA's "Help After a Disaster: Applicant's Guide to the Individuals & Households Program" helpful. http://www.fema.gov

To find local shelters and other state specific information please visit:

Louisiana Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness
http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov
(225) 925-7500

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency
http://www.msema.org
601-960-9020

Alabama Emergency Management Agency
http://www.ema.alabama.gov/
1-800-843-0699

Volunteer agencies provide a wide variety of services after disasters, such as clean up, childcare, housing repair, crisis counseling, sheltering and food. Below is a list of major organizations and a website with a more comprehensive list of charitable organizations accepting cash donations and/or volunteers:

American Red Cross
1-800-HELP NOW (435-7669) English
1-800-257-7575 Spanish
http://www.redcross.org

Salvation Army
1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769)
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/

U.S. Humane Society
(888)259-5431
http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/index.html

MarylandCares.us
1-800-321-VOLS | (in Maryland) (410) 767-1216
http://www.marylandcares.us/

For a more comprehensive list of organizations accepting funds, click onto: FirstGov.Gov links: http://www.firstgov.gov/Citizen/Topics/PublicSafety/Hurricane_Katrina_Recovery.shtml

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