[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 143 (Wednesday, November 2, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12230-S12234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIP DIARY ON BEHALF OF THE HURRICANE KATRINA FARMWORKERS DISASTER 
                             RELIEF EFFORT

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in 
the Record the trip diary of Dr. John Arnold on behalf of the Hurricane 
Katrina Farmworkers Disaster Relief Effort.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

 Trip Diary Hurricane Katrina Farmworkers Disaster Relief Effort (The 
 Largest Interstate Non-Governmental Relief Effort of the Katrina/Rita/
                      Tornado Aftermath Disasters)

       Trip log of Dr. John David Arnold on his 6-day trip to the 
     Hurricane Katrina Disaster States of Mississippi and Alabama 
     from Friday, September 9, 2005 to Wednesday, September 14, 
     2005--His debriefing trip to federal

[[Page S12231]]

     agencies and Congressional Representatives in Washington, 
     D.C. September 29 and 30, 2005.


                              INTRODUCTION

       Why go to the Mississippi and Alabama? Perhaps because they 
     are rural states with many farmworkers that are consistently 
     ignored and would be forgotten about in the Hurricane 
     Katrina/Rita relief efforts. Also, because of the abject 
     poverty these workers are in. They would be hard pressed to 
     find resources to evacuate. Most had no credit cards, no bank 
     accounts, no gas, nor cars to put it in. A key concern was 
     the remoteness of these rural agricultural states and the 
     lack of adequate infrastructure to deal with Hurricane 
     disasters. Another key factor is that the coastal region 
     infrastructure was all but compromised by the storms. Our 
     long-term relationship with two sister farmworker 
     organizations, Mississippi Delta and Telamon Alabama 
     farmworker councils as contacts would facilitate our relief 
     assistance as their headquarters are located far inland and 
     their infrastructure was intact. This was an opportunity to 
     move much needed relief supplies to that region for present 
     needs as well as establish for the future a permanent 
     emergency relief supply distribution and training center. The 
     following is my diary of the 6 days spent in the Gulf States 
     region from September 9th--September 14, 2005, and subsequent 
     events.


                      Pre-Weekend Collecting Phase

   September 7, 2005: Initial Contact Phase with Gulf States region 
                                partners

       A. Initial contact with sister agencies Mississippi Delta 
     and Alabama Telamon Farmworker Councils.
       B. Conference call LULAC Executive Board to secure 
     $5,400.00 to pay for the costs of the first convoy of three 
     (3) trucks with emergency relief supplies from Arizona to 
     Clarksdale, Mississippi


        September 8th: PPEP Katrina Relief Effort in Tucson, AZ

       I spent most of the day (AM) arranging for transport 
     vehicles and volunteer laborers to load the (3) 26' Penske 
     rental trucks with emergency relief supplies. By noon trucks 
     had been secured as well as 12 students from PPEP TEC Charter 
     H. S., Fernandez Learning Center. Initially the donated items 
     came from both of the 13 PPEP TEC Charter High Schools, the 
     general public, and later the bulk of the items from World 
     Care. Lisa and Pam, from World Care were most generous with 
     the relief supplies they had collected as well as with 
     volunteers, trucks and drivers. The students of PPEP TEC were 
     also great and we worked loading the 3 26' trucks for about 
     4-5 hours in 107 deg. heat. One of the young ladies passed 
     out and was taken to urgent care--she was fine. The hungry 
     student volunteers were treated to the Home Town Buffet all 
     you can eat buffet. The media was great; CBS Channel 13 
     showed up and interviewed us about what we were doing as well 
     as the Tucson Citizen photographer Gary Gaynor. During the 
     loading, I was interviewed by Maria Garza live on her 
     Hispanic radio network program. One of about a dozen such 
     interviews daily while I was in the gulf state region. The 
     Washington Post tracked me down in Clarksdale on the abuses 
     to the immigrant workers. We spoke about the need for mobile 
     medical clinics, bilingual volunteers to translate for 
     Spanish speaking volunteers wanting to fill out FEMA 
     Emergency relief applications. There was discussion about 
     Wal-Mart and Home Depot making discounts and jobs for Katrina 
     low income victims to repair their home--of course many do 
     not even have homes to fix nor are the insurance companies 
     willing to pay for it if they did have insurance. The 
     students that helped us load the trucks were impressed with 
     that because of their hard work they were ``now 
     humanitarians--they showed there is hope for the future 
     generations.''


     September 9th: Mobilizing Volunteers, Resources, Departure to 
                           Clarksdale, Miss.

       A press conference was held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 
     9, 2005 to thank everyone involved with the relief effort as 
     well as a send off for those 7 individuals on the PPEP staff 
     that volunteered to make the some 25 hour 1,500 mile drive 
     from Tucson to Clarksdale, Mississippi to our drop off point 
     and then fly back to Tucson. They were Art Benge, Olivia 
     Bernal, David Green, Suzette Hamill, George Long, and Samuel 
     Lopez. I flew down ahead of time to make preparations for 
     their arrival and visit farmworker camps in the region. 
     George Long from PMHDC would head up the first convoy. The 
     press conference was attended by the Arizona Star, Tucson 
     Citizen and Channel 4 (NBC) provided coverage. About 35 
     students and staff along with Representative Ted Downing 
     participated in the send off. Representative Ted Downing 
     spoke of the loss psychologically that Katrina victims have 
     sustained. This includes disorientation because the landmarks 
     are gone, time of day no longer matters, whether it's Sunday 
     or Saturday is meaning less. Despair, poverty, disease, loss 
     of family members and possessions blur everything. Time seems 
     to stand still until the shock wears off, relief or rescue 
     arrives, if ever. During Maria Garza's live radio 
     broadcast, I brought up these points and others; such as 
     need for volunteer bilingual psychological counseling, 
     legal assistance for the victims, bio-hygiene was also 
     discussed as crucial, just to feel clean again. Among the 
     items transported were health, personal hygiene kits, 
     canned food, clothing of all ages, bedding, water, 
     crutches, walkers, infant needs, and even pet food there 
     was need for insect repellent as the mosquito population 
     was exploding carry diseases. Clorox is a priority as the 
     monster mold that sets in afterwards.
       My flight to Clarksdale was rerouted to Little Rock, 
     Arkansas 2 hours away from Clarksdale. My purpose for flying 
     ahead of the relief convoy was to make preparations in 
     Clarksdale to set up the proposed storage facility to be used 
     later for distribution of the contents of the three trucks of 
     donated items. Furthermore, we were to have a press 
     conference and tour on Saturday the local emergency shelter 
     with Hector Flores, President of LULAC, Congressman Benny 
     Thompson as well as consult with local emergency officials.
       Initially, LULAC contributed the $5,400 to cover rental of 
     the 3 trucks, airfare for drivers to return home, gas and 
     lodging. PPEP, Inc. contributed the staff hours, logistics on 
     both ends of the trip. My flight arrived at Little Rock at 
     10:24 p.m. where I was greeted by Mr. Nathan Norris a 
     representative from Mississippi Delta Farmworker Council who 
     drove me to Clarksdale. Because of several detours we arrived 
     in Clarksdale at 4:00 a.m.


 September 10th Clarksdale, Mississippi Tour/Press Conference/Outreach 
                        to Farmworkers, Morning

       Don Green picked me up from the Best Western and we had 
     breakfast and talked over strategies for recovery the efforts 
     including microbusiness and housing development. Afterward we 
     went to the Mississippi Delta Farmworker Council office in 
     Clarksdale and greeted Barbara Thompson and met the other 
     staff. I located Hector Flores President of LULAC that had 
     flown into Jackson, Mississippi, and rented a car. During the 
     morning, two groups of Mexican farmworkers came into the 
     office and I translated for them as there were no Spanish 
     speaking workers there or anywhere I went. We made 
     arrangements to go visit the farmworkers that evening where 
     they lived as well as present the services available in Don's 
     job training organization. Don and I went out to Stovall 
     Farms where we saw some farmworkers and also promised to 
     return with Pizza's in the evening and talk to the rest of 
     the group. Back at the office we made preparations for the 
     press conference at 1:30 p.m. Mr. Hector Flores arrived with 
     assistant Mr. Briones and he talked to some of the 
     farmworkers whom had come into the office and took photos 
     with them. We then took off to the local shelter located at 
     the Clarksdale Expo Center. The center was being toured by 
     the local, State, and congressional representative Bennie 
     Thompson. The center was very well organized, equipped, and 
     supplied all with local resources--mainly none governmental. 
     After the shelter tour, we went back to the Mississippi 
     Delta office for the press conference. Hector, myself, and 
     Congressman Thompson spoke to the press and the group 
     assembled there. The balance of the afternoon was devoted 
     to making flyers in Spanish, which I translated, and 
     ordering 60 pizzas and sodas for the evening farmworkers 
     meetings.
       At 5 p.m. went back to Stovall Farms passing the Indian 
     burial mounds. We found the farmworkers playing volleyball 
     behind one of the houses. Corn, barley, marlo, cotton, 
     soybeans, rice, and catfish farming are common to the area. 
     There are also some casinos along the river. Some of the 
     people say the once rich soil is being depleted and 
     contaminated by overuse of pesticides. The farmworkers at 
     Stovall listened to our presentation of services, ate pizza, 
     and we took pictures together. Don's group played volleyball 
     with the farmworkers, an important bonding between two 
     diverse cultures yet with the same farm work background. We 
     then left for a trailer park near Clarksdale that housed 
     farmworkers, unlike Stovall farms most spoke English. We ate 
     pizza together with these workers whom were interested in 
     computer, CDL, and technical classes. The Stovall farmworkers 
     wanted English classes. Both types of classes were going to 
     be looked into by Barbara Thompson from Delta.
       The last stop was to visit some farmworkers was at Vance, 
     Mississippi, about 15 miles south of Clarksdale. One group of 
     male farmworkers invited us into their home where we 
     exchanged pizza and a Mexican dish prepared by the 
     farmworkers. Afterwards, we took the balance of the pizza to 
     the shelter for the evacuees whom were mostly out for the 
     evening in town. We spoke to the sheriff safety officers at 
     the shelter and they advised us if we were going to the 
     coastal cities of Biloxi and Gulfport we should take extra 
     gas rations as supplies were non-existent. Also, suggested we 
     travel with armed guard or get Military Police escort while 
     in the immediate coastal area as there are armed gangs, car 
     jacking, and looting. Once there, I saw none of that, only 
     people whose dreams were shattered and praying that relief 
     would arrive soon. Also suggested, was that we must leave 
     before it gets dark because it is extremely dangerous and the 
     military has a curfew and will snipers shoot at you. I then 
     returned to my hotel. Most all the hotels in Mississippi are 
     completely filled with evacuees. The first available 
     reservations were in December.


     September 11th: Trip to Gulf Coast Region--PPEP Convoy Arrives

       We left Clarksdale at 6 a.m. and traveled down Highway 49 
     through Indianola, Jackson, and Hattiesburg to 1-10 and 
     Gulfport. One of Don's staff personal that drove was armed in 
     case of an emergency. We arrived

[[Page S12232]]

     in Jackson and stopped for fuel to ensure we could get in and 
     out of the Gulf area. From that point on we began to see 
     damage of trees uprooted and buildings in disrepair.
       As we got closer to Biloxi and Gulfport, there was evidence 
     of military personnel, shelter tents and relief stockpiles in 
     the open, mainly donated items that were being distributed. 
     People were returning and the areas inland north of the US-90 
     were congested with vehicles. Perhaps loading up with 
     supplies, rebuilding materials, and families returning to 
     survey what was left if anything. Some of the gas stations 
     were open (long lines) and a few restaurants were all very 
     busy. As we got closer to downtown Gulfport the road was 
     blockaded and cars were screened by the Military Police. The 
     Downtown was abandoned as far as business activity since most 
     of them were damaged, many beyond repair or blown away.
       As we approached US-90 the buildings were leveled and the 
     large hotels facing the beach were blown out and only their 
     structural frames remained. Once on US-90 we were stopped 
     again and screened carefully to continue westbound. Once 
     heading west, the evidence of the magnitude of the storm was 
     alarming. The floating casinos were beached. One casino had 
     rested atop what was once a 3-story motel and flattened it. 
     All the businesses along the route were swept away and barely 
     a trace left where they once stood. The large oaks were 
     leveled and stripped of their leaves. Most were up rooted. 
     The banana industry warehouses and trucks near the docking 
     areas were gone. Their mangled and twisted trailer truck 
     frames were scattered everywhere. I took several hundred 
     digital photos with one hand and attempted to videotape the 
     unbelievable devastation with the other hand. As we proceeded 
     east on US-90 in Gulfport, I noticed only empty spaces where 
     many stately mansions I remembered previously seeing were 
     swept away. All that was left was mangled truck frames, 
     vehicles, scattered railroad cars, and enormous uprooted oak 
     trees. Occasionally there were cement steps that once led up 
     to the houses otherwise there was no evidence of some ones 
     home ever being there.
       The only structure that remained with some semblance in its 
     former state was the Gulfport Girls College where my mother 
     once attended school, now Mississippi State College. However, 
     upon closer inspection only the walls remained. The building 
     had been gutted by the wind and water surges that were some 
     30 feet high and winds up to 200 mph. The newer school 
     structures were gone. One heartening thing was the 300-year-
     old oak tree known as the Friendship Tree apparently 
     survived. I took some photos there and called my daughters 
     Chaska and Tika and let them know the tree they played on was 
     still there. In order to enter the area we had to have a 
     military escort as helicopters were flying overhead watching 
     closely for looters. Military Humvees were patrolling the 
     area and checked on our presence. I took so many photos 
     because I knew I could never describe what I saw nor would 
     anyone believe me. These photos were some of the first taken 
     as we were admitted to the areas shortly as it was opened up 
     to public access. The roadway was not stable in some places 
     and washed away in others. I was careful not to take photos 
     of any families' victims of Katrina that might be surveying 
     the damage. We headed back east on US-90 towards Biloxi, 
     Miss. Once again the former business district was totally 
     devastated or washed away. All the homes were devastated or 
     completely gone. All that was left in some cases were the 
     foundations and front steps. Some owners had left an 
     American flag where there house once stood. One sign said 
     ``Pray for Us'' others said ``looters will be shot.'' We 
     stopped at the Biloxi Fire station to pick up Jacobo Brado 
     from the Mexican Consulate. He was on loan from the 
     Mexican Embassy to provide relief, cash, and airfare back 
     to Mexico for certain evacuees. Also, they were running 
     interference with the local military base that had 
     arrested some illegal workers of one of the re-
     constructions contractors. He took us to a small Hispanic-
     owned grocery store where we talked to the owner and 
     patrons whom came into the store about conditions in the 
     Latino community. We also visited a nearby apartment 
     complex where many Latinos live that worked in the casinos 
     that were now damaged. It will take 9 months to a year, 
     weather permitting to get them open again. Most of the 
     tenants at the apartments lost their furniture and 
     personal items during the Hurricane. We also went to a 
     barrio we were told once housed hundreds of immigrants 
     with their businesses and homes. Nothing was left but 
     mounds of rubble, tree fragments, foundations, and heavily 
     damaged vehicles. Some of the rubble was piled 20-30 feet 
     high. It was total devastation. There was a terrible smell 
     of sewage, perhaps rotting flesh, etc. I just could not 
     imagine the once happy neighborhood now devastated beyond 
     recognition. Proceeding west on US-90 in Biloxi was most 
     difficult as the roadway was washed out in several places. 
     Along the beach was a grouping of military tents called 
     ``camp recovery'' I we also saw a hovercraft beached as 
     well as some navel vessels docked. There was also a 
     Mexican Navy ship with medical personnel and portable 
     water purification units there. They were being delayed we 
     were told because of U.S. Customs red tape. After our 
     coastal tour we went and had lunch, there we left Jacobo 
     and his three cell phones and headed back toward 
     Clarksdale, Mississippi. All totaled it was a 6-hour drive 
     from Clarksdale to Gulfport; we stayed 5 hours on the 
     coast and 7 hours returning as we stopped in Indianola, 
     Miss. to see Clanton Beaman.
       Clanton heads up the Mississippi Delta Housing programs for 
     farmworkers. I have known him for over 30 years and we talked 
     about the funding of the programs and what would be needed 
     for the reconstruction. Ironically USDOL had cut of all of 
     his emergency and temporary housing funds this year.
       We had dinner there and arrived at the Best Western in 
     Clarksdale shortly after midnight. We also were informed that 
     the PPEP relief convoy of 3-26' Penske rental trucks and the 
     1998 Pontiac van loaded with computers (donated by PPEP Inc) 
     had arrived safely that evening. The Mississippi Delta staff 
     had greeted them and provided a dinner. The sheriff also 
     escorted them from the Arkansas/Mississippi border into 
     Clarksdale.


       september 12th: unloading relief supplies from tucson, az

       We met the PPEP drivers at 8:00 a.m. and went to the 
     Clarksdale Hospital Cafe, which provided us a free breakfast 
     and lunch. That morning we drove the trucks to the 
     Mississippi Delta distribution point but it was too small. So 
     the Chamber of Commerce provided us a 60,000 sq. ft. 
     warehouse with 3 loading bays free of charge. It took 
     several hours for the local crew to unload the trucks. We 
     contacted World Care in Tucson about the increased storage 
     space for a regional distribution center and Pam from 
     World Care immediately dispatched a 53 semi loaded with 
     more relief supplies. Mississippi Delta received that day 
     130 calls for relief. They desperately need Spanish 
     speaking personal to reach the Latino Community and 
     farmworkers. We made pleas through the media to get 
     Spanish speaking volunteers to come to Clarksdale. LULAC 
     responded and will send someone and Mississippi Delta will 
     provide housing.
       The media, local, national, and international was great. 
     Everyday at noon I provided an update over Maria Garza, Miami 
     based National Hispanic Radio Program. The Washington Post 
     called as did the Hispanic Magazine. The Arizona Daily Star 
     also did a story and photo. These all helped us get more 
     relief supplies and donations to World Care.
       Once the trucks were un-loaded, Mississippi Delta treated 
     the PPEP workers to a trip to the ``Rhythm and Blues'' Museum 
     as Clarksdale, as it is the nation's capital for 
     contributions to that music. Many of the greatest blues 
     singers are from that region. Afterwards we returned to the 
     Mississippi Delta office for the signing over of the 1998 (6) 
     passenger van being donated by PPEP along with 5 computers 
     for use in the emergency relief and re-training the 
     farmworkers. We also visited the Chamber of Commerce to see 
     if they would sell the warehouse we are using to distribute 
     the emergency relief supplies. They are asking $650,000 for 
     the property which is an about 10 acres and has railroad and 
     3 loading docks.


 September 13th: Trip to Mobile and Baldwin County--Agriculture Region 
                                Alabama

       I left Clarksdale for Memphis to catch a Delta flight to 
     Mobile, Alabama via Atlanta, Georgia. The purpose of the 
     Alabama visit is to identify farmworkers Katrina disaster 
     relief victims and find their whereabouts and needs. On my 
     way to Mobile, I spoke to LULAC and obtained an additional 
     $4,000 to transport two more 53' semi-trucks to Clarksdale. 
     World Care said they would match several more 53' semi-trucks 
     eventually making it 9 semi-trucks, and 3--26' foot delivery. 
     trucks to Clarksdale. Also, I spoke to Hector Flores to see 
     if he could help Mississippi Delta purchase the warehouse as 
     a permanent regional emergency relief center. LULAC will 
     secure appointments with USDA, HUD, Commerce, and other 
     agencies for my upcoming trip to D.C.
       Once in Mobile, Alabama, I headed to the Mexican Consulate 
     located in the Hispanic Ministries building on Dolphin Island 
     Parkway. After briefing the Mexican consulate staff we waited 
     for Michelle Coel of the Alabama Telamon Farmworker Council 
     and her assistant Elizabeth. We all then went to a very 
     crowded Olive Garden Restaurant to have a late lunch and 
     exchange information about what each was doing. Afterwards we 
     went with the Mexican Consulate staff to Fairhope located in 
     Baldwin County. This is a major agricultural region for 
     peanuts, cotton, peaches, etc. Names of the Mexican 
     Consulate staff were: Alberto Diaz (Atlanta), Alfonso 
     Joule (Chicago), David Penaflor (Florida), and Astrid Diaz 
     (SRE. D.F.), Enrique Maldonado (Consul General), Jorge 
     Cesar (Atlanta).
       When we arrived one of Michelle's contacts greeted us and 
     took us to a grocery store where farmworkers shop. There were 
     75 farmworkers there waiting for us. I translated for 
     Michelle as she explained what Telamon Alabama Farmworker 
     Council does and the services they offer. The Mexican 
     Consulate team that included Enrique Maldonado from the 
     Mexican Consulate in Atlanta, Georgia and staff from other 
     branches of the SRE. They made presentations of their 
     government's services. The farmworkers raised a number of 
     concerns such as;
       1. Abuses by local law enforcement officers stopping, 
     citing, and harassing Hispanic drivers to a point they are 
     afraid to drive.
       2. Landlord abuses of charging high rents and surcharges 
     along with steep fines if late. Shutting off water 
     arbitrarily. Also having vehicles towed off and throwing out 
     their furniture in the street. Non-refundable deposits of 
     $1800 are required to move into dilapidated trailers.

[[Page S12233]]

       3. Abuses by employers refusing to pay workers for their 
     labor. Threatening to call immigration and have them deported 
     if they complained.
       4. Fear of government and law enforcement to the point they 
     do not report crimes against them such as robberies, 
     assaults, rapes, etc.
       5. No recreation available for the youth, which breeds 
     drinking and drug abuse.
       6. No one to turn to for help or to be their advocate.
       7. Need for picture identification cards and classes to 
     learn English were top priorities.
       8. Expressed the desire to be working and helping with the 
     reconstruction efforts in the region.
       Both the Mexican Consulate and Telamon Alabama staff gave 
     out checks for rental assistance, and other emergency needs 
     that surfaced from the workers. The Mexican Consulate and I 
     visited a family in a trailer park that needed to be 
     repatriated to Mexico. Airfare was made available as well as 
     the logistics to get to the airport. There was mention that 
     the US Immigration Authorities were honoring an Amnesty 
     directive to not arrest Katrina victims. Maybe someone in 
     Washington got smart and realized we might need these workers 
     to repair the devastated Gulf States. Later I found out this 
     was contradicted by numerous arrests of illegal workers. The 
     message from Washington on this issue was not clear. Also, it 
     was reported in the newspaper that several victims whom 
     applied for disaster assistance were in deportation hearings. 
     This experience pointed out how poorly we are prepared to 
     make accessible emergency relief services or even to notify 
     and evacuate these workers when danger is eminent. Also, it 
     pointed out the greed that drives abuses and discrimination 
     and harassment directed towards our farmworkers. Also, the 
     need for Spanish speaking workers at hospitals, schools, 
     banks, police forces, county, state, and federal 
     offices. Ironically, it was at the Mexican Consulate I 
     found that they were the only governmental agency on the 
     scene along with the USDOL NFJP WIA 167 grantees that 
     provided Spanish speaking services. They also rescued me 
     and provided lodging in Mobile as there were no hotels 
     available. We crashed with the Mexican media and staff in 
     a 4-bedroom house.


 September 14th: Tour of Bayou La Batre and Pascagoula, Miss. Disaster 
                                Regions

       I got up early and called the airport transportation 
     dispatcher and told her I wanted to tour the coastal disaster 
     areas. I left at 8:00 a.m. from the Mexican Consulate house 
     and proceeded west to Bayou Batre. I was told this is one of 
     the most important gulf shrimp and fishing areas mostly run 
     by Cambodian and Vietnamese immigrants. There were reports 
     that Latinos were moving into the area as well. I noticed at 
     the local store ``Jurritos sodas'' and other favorite food of 
     Latinos. However neither the Asians nor Latinos could be 
     found because there homes were wiped out.
       As for the fishing port area it was heavily damaged and 
     well as the residential and business districts. There is 
     grave concern about the water quality for the shrimp and 
     fish. Government workers were on rafts testing the waters. 
     The stench was almost nauseating. The driver took me along 
     the coastal area where the fisherman once lived. There were 
     very few structures left as the storm surge was up to 30 
     feet. The fishing peers were just poles in the water and none 
     of the infrastructure survived. I could see the water line on 
     the trees as well as debris high up on the limbs. There were 
     fishing ships overturned and some pushed far inland. Upon 
     returning to highway 90 I proceeded to Pascagoula, 
     Mississippi. By the way, the driver ``James'' pointed out the 
     alligator farm that made the national news because of the 200 
     alligators that had escaped. We stopped and I saw an enormous 
     bull alligator still in his confinement.
       However, across the parking lot in a shallow pond, there 
     was a small alligator that peered up at me, when I approached 
     him he lunged forward at me.
       Once in Pascagoula, Mississippi, I observed much of the 
     devastation I saw in Gulfport and Biloxi, but on a much 
     larger scale. The devastation on the waterfront neighborhoods 
     was total. Some huge homes had been pushed inland, others 
     destroyed on their foundations. Most of the lots had only 
     their concrete front steps. Otherwise, their lots were swept 
     clean by the force of the winds and 20' to 30' water surges. 
     Some locals said that the gusts of winds got up to 200 miles 
     an hour. In the interior neighborhoods the people were just 
     returning and you could see clothing drying out and mounds of 
     ruined furniture and appliances piled up, tagged, out front 
     for removal. Some streets were still blocked because of the 
     debris, service trucks, and removal equipment.
       Everywhere there were utility vehicles restoring power, 
     dump trucks, cranes, front loaders, and emergency vehicles. 
     There was definitely a bustle of activity to restore some 
     semblance of the community. There were some gruesome 
     stories such as before one hardware store could open 5 
     dead bodies had to be removed from the roof. As for 
     comparisons to Hurricane Camille the old timers said 
     Katrina by far was the worst. Even the elevated railroad 
     bridge and Highway 90 were breached this time. I had to 
     hurry back to Mobile to catch a plane, but the driver said 
     there was not enough time so we continued on the 
     Pensacola, Florida to catch a flight to Tucson, Arizona 
     via Dallas, Fort Worth. On the way to Pensacola, Maria 
     Garza gave me 25 minutes on her program to discuss the 
     aforementioned negative situations with the farmworkers we 
     found in Baldwin County, Alabama.
       Upon my return to Tucson we had a press conference to 
     debrief and thank the volunteers and our partners such as 
     LULAC, PPEP TEC Charter High School students, and World Care. 
     By then five more 18-wheelers from World Care had arrived in 
     Clarksdale, Miss. In Mobile, Alabama, we have located another 
     warehouse as a sub regional distribution center. Yes there 
     was another Hurricane since then, ``Rita'' who spawned high 
     winds, water, and tornados in the Clarksdale region. Both 
     Hurricanes were category 5 and three weeks apart.
       After Rita, the only indoor relief center was in Clarksdale 
     as most others were left to the elements and ruins. Don and I 
     made plans to travel to Washington, D.C. to hopefully meet 
     with government officials; USDOL, USDA, HUD and Commerce to 
     find resources to keep the relief center permanent for 
     economic development and training. We also will attend the 
     National LULAC Board meeting while there and thank them for 
     their donations. We will show a PowerPoint we developed 
     showing the relief efforts, the devastation, as well as a 
     photo album and this trip diary.


                                Summary

       What was accomplished on this short trip to the Gulf States 
     was the following:
       1. Collection and transporting of emergency relief supplies 
     from Tucson, Arizona that included 6 53' semi-trucks, 3 26' 
     semi-trucks, donation of 1998 (6) passenger van with (5) 
     computers. PPEP, INC. staff which drove these trucks came 
     from our school, property management, finance, and housing 
     divisions. World Care whom we owe the greatest thank you 
     provided 9 semis and CDL drivers. Lisa and Pam of World Care 
     get 3 gold stars! They never said ``No''--just that ``more 
     trucks are on the way.'' LULAC earns a gold star for 
     providing $10,000 to cover the cost of 3 drivers' food, 2 
     semi's, lodging, 3 rental trucks, gas and associated costs.
       2. Establishing in Clarksdale, Mississippi a permanent 
     regional emergency relief distribution, training, and 
     economic development center. We secured free of charge a 10 
     acre 60,000 sq. ft. modern warehouse with 3 truck bays, 
     railroad spur for securing storing and distribution of 
     emergency supplies. We need $650,000 to purchase the 
     building.
       3. We helped bond relationships between the African 
     American community and the Latino community everywhere we 
     went. Jesse Jackson and Hector Flores of LULAC have named 
     this the ``New South'' partnership.
       4. We have helped surface the abuses and discrimination 
     that is on going in the region against Latinos. We owe much 
     gratitude to Maria Garza and her national Hispanic radio 
     program that aired my updates each day. As well as the 
     Mexican Consulate staff from Atlanta, Georgia.
       5. We have given the local farmworkers staff and the 
     farmworkers our love and concern and the knowledge that there 
     are many of us out there that care about them and this 
     forgotten region.
       6. Learned to appreciate what it means to lose all your 
     earthly possessions, pets, including loved ones.
       7. Set the foundation to continue supporting the long-term 
     recovery efforts long after FEMA, Red Cross, and the 
     Salvation Army, which never arrived for the farmworkers and 
     other relief agencies, depart the region.
       8. We found out great and lasting relief efforts for those 
     forgotten really do work--even without federal dollars.
       An important thought came to me; President James Madison 
     once said ``those societies that honor the workers that toil 
     the fields shall endure.'' I observed that in the Katrina 
     crisis brought out the best and worse in our society. If all 
     the dedicated efforts I witnessed made during the 
     aforementioned relief efforts are any indication--then 
     President Madison would be proud of them.


      The Debriefing in D.C.--Post Katrina/Rita/Tornado Aftermath

       On Friday, September 30, 2005, Don Green and myself made 
     several visits in D.C. on Capitol Hill as well as meeting 
     with federal officials to present our Katrina/Rita emergency 
     relief report and recommendations on what is needed not to 
     help provide much needed relief as will as re-construction of 
     the rural agriculture regions.
       Furthermore, the important of the Clarksdale facility as a 
     permanent emergency relief distribution training center, we 
     also presented our concerns on civil rights violations, and 
     wide spread abuse by tenant landlords and the failure of 
     FEMA, Salvation Army, and the Red Cross to reach farmworkers 
     hurricane victims. Perhaps a good reason not to give to the 
     Red Cross or Salvation Army because at it never will get to 
     farmworkers. Best give to local charities and relief 
     organizations that have on going contacts with farmworkers. 
     We presented the fact that these agencies had they found the 
     farmworkers there were no Spanish speaking field workers. We 
     also discussed the failure of federal agencies medium of 
     communication to warn farmworkers of eminent danger as well 
     as relief efforts. Most federal agencies were putting the 
     word out over their websites or in the media but in English. 
     Of course farmworkers do not have computers and when 
     electricity was out so were the radios.

[[Page S12234]]

                             USDOL Meeting

       We raised the concern with USDOL that by sending all its 
     relief monies to the State Work Force Investment Boards the 
     relief does not get to the farmworker community or the 
     organizations that serve them. We also made note that USDOL 
     contracting with privately owned personnel agencies that have 
     no previous experience providing job referrals to 
     farmworkers. Furthermore, we made mention that the government 
     and relief agencies bypassed the USDOL WIA 176 NFJP 
     farmworker job training grantees in Alabama and Mississippi 
     that had a combined 40 years experience serving local migrant 
     and seasonal populations. Don Green submitted a proposal to 
     USDOL for $80,000 to hire 3 Spanish speaking outreach workers 
     to assist the farmworkers victims. USDOL is to get back with 
     him on that request. We also requested USDOL for funding to 
     create a training program for operating an emergency relief 
     warehouse and distribution center. Training would include 
     forklift operations, CDL truck drivers, warehouse management, 
     inventory, receiving and distribution, accounting, computer, 
     and English classes.


                              HUD Meeting

       Meeting took place in the office of the Deputy HUD 
     Secretary Roy A. Bernardi, whom we presented the need for 
     acquiring the $850,000 needed to purchase and renovate the 
     Clarksdale facility. Our Katrina/Rita Relief Report was also 
     presented and we requested that Secretary Jackson take this 
     report to his briefing at the White House later in the day.


                              USDA Meeting

       Met with Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Charles F. Conner 
     and his assistant Annabelle J. Romero and also presented the 
     need to provide funding to obtain the Clarksdale Relief 
     Facility. We also presented to the Civil Rights Deputy 
     Assistant and presented the civil rights and blatant abuses 
     of farmworkers in Baldwin County, Alabama.


                       US Department of Commerce

       We met with Secretary Gutierrez and presented him the 
     Katrina/Rita Report. He was most interested and indicated 
     that we would contact HUD and USDA and see how the 3 agencies 
     could be of assistance in obtaining the Clarksdale Facility.


                Direction of Office Personal Management

       We met with Director Carol Springer and staff regarding 
     Spanish media outlets to get the word out to farmworkers 
     during emergencies. Also, requested her to talk to FEMA and 
     other governmental agencies about the need for hiring and 
     training Spanish speaking workers to interface with 
     farmworkers and others in the workforce.


                            On Capitol Hill

       We were able to also present our Katrina/Rita Relief 
     Reports to Arizona Congressman Raul Grijalva, Senator John 
     McCain, and Ken Salazar (Col) directly. We also spoke to the 
     staff of Senator Mike Enzi (WY); Senator Lieberman of 
     Connecticut, Senator McCain took special interest in the 
     report because of family roots in Mississippi.


                                 LULAC

       Don Green and I were recognized at the LULAC luncheon, and 
     allowed to give our profound thanks for the $10,400 LULAC 
     contributed for trucking of relief supplies from Tucson to 
     Clarksdale, Mississippi. Don Green received the LULAC 
     Presidential Citation Award by President Hector Flores for 
     the job he and his agency had done to help farmworkers in 
     Mississippi.
       That evening Leticia Aragon, President of LULAC Council 
     1091 of San Luis, Arizona, presented Don Green a check for 
     $1,075 which was collected by the farmworkers adult and youth 
     from her hometown to help fellow farmworkers in Mississippi. 
     Eight farmworker youth who were attending the National LULAC 
     Leadership Conference in D.C. joined in the presentation. On 
     Saturday, I officially presented the Katrina/Rita Relief 
     report to the LULAC National Board meeting and thanked them 
     for their generous support both financially and other support 
     including opening doors to the government agencies to hear 
     our case.

                          ____________________